User reviews

Though its for age group that may lie 10-12 years, but pretty much enjoyable by an adult. The dubbed version does not make any issue, CC is distraction. Fantasy film with excellent CGI and visual effects.

I watched the English dubbed version of this movie as the original Russian language wasn't available. As a movie targeted for children, it's on the darker side and can be suspenseful at times. Plot-wise, there is not much mystery wrapped around it as I would have liked and as and adult I didn't find it engaging enough, but my 10 years old daughter seemed to like it. I did however, enjoy the stunning visuals on this movie.

Probably would've rated this movie higher if it's in its original language as I find the English dubbed version slightly distracting and nearing annoyance. I don't mind reading subtitles.

There are two problems with this film. First is the atrocious dubbing. It takes you out of the movie completely. On the other hand so many people wouldn't have watched it unless in English, so win some, lose some. The second is the editing. The scenes just jump from one to the other jarringly, no transitions, making it really difficult to invest in the story.

But then there's the story, which makes little sense, yet it feels like a proper fairy tale. The random fantastic characters are just like in familiar tales, but are built on a darker subplot where an orphan must save her adoptive parents from a former flame who wants to separate them for her own gain. You can see how the imagination of the child fills the space in that rather mundane story with magic and fantasy and what dark emotions push her to do this. The participation of the father is a complete deviation from that very simple and clear direction and I feel it was a mistake.

So in conclusion it's a much better movie than the rating, and in truth we should applaud any attempt to create something different, but it is also a very flawed production.