Starik Khottabych

Love a lot of fantasy, the best of them captivating, enthralling and enchanting me as a child and as a young adult, even more so with some with appreciating aspects more and noticing things, big and little, not noticed when younger. This has been something that has been common in a lot of childhood favourite re-watches. Also love foreign cinema, have been seeing even more of it with a broader knowledge of it and the knowledge is continuing to broaden even more.

It's been a while since seeing a Russian film, but do remember with great fondness being on a roll watching many Russian fantasies and animations five years ago, out of interest and nostalgia, and decided to do it again with a little more time on my hands and being in the midst of a calming down period. Starting with 'The Flying Carpet'. My experience of Russian fantasy and animation has been one of great pleasure with so many gems and 'The Flying Carpet' brought all of those fond memories back. Not one of my absolute favourites of all the Russian fantasies but only because of the high quality of so many to count.

'The Flying Carpet' is well made visually and has held up well, or so to me it has. The scenery makes me pine for a trip to Russia and the settings are the very meaning of wondrous, enhanced further by photography that is never too flashy or overblown nor simplistic or static. The special effects are not overused or abused and do have a magical charm, don't think they've dated at all. The music is atmospheric, whimsical and infectious, as well as appealing to listen to and not detracting at all from what's happening.

Also highly successful is the writing and storytelling. The writing is the kind that made me laugh, cry and probe thought. There are also political elements but they didn't feel out of place or heavy-handed. The story has a sense of wonder and has a lot of heart and charm, moving swiftly and never feeling tiresome.

Characters are always engaging and ones worth caring for and while the acting is slightly theatrical it still suits the characters and their personalities very well and there is a lot of spirit in the portrayals.

Overall, wondrous and flies high. 10/10 Bethany Cox