Kensuke's Kingdom

This must be the most beautiful animation film i have ever seen. Great screenplay, magnificent misic, beautifull characters. A big thumbs up to the guys having made this film. Be advised: there are some "violent" scenes in it. So i wouldn't recommend watching the movie with a five-year-old. Advised age would be rather 7/8.

The animation beautifully captures the essence of the book, bringing to life the breathtaking landscapes and the emotional journey of the characters. The relationship between Michael and Kensuke is heartwarming and poignant, as they learn to trust and rely on each other despite their differences.

The film explores themes of friendship, courage, and the power of nature, as Michael discovers the true meaning of survival and the importance of compassion and understanding. The animation is visually stunning, with vibrant colors and stunning scenery that transport viewers to the exotic island setting.

Overall, "Kensuke's Kingdom" is a captivating and inspiring film that will appeal to audiences of all ages. It stays true to the spirit of the original story while adding its own unique visual style and charm. It's a must-watch for fans of the book and anyone who enjoys heartfelt and adventurous storytelling.

It's not very often that a movie hits me on an emotional level, but this really did. This is a stunning story bought to life with incredible passion. The score is magnificent and wouldn't be out of place in a AAA Hollywood movie, but it works phenomenally well in this intimate animation. The visual effects are stunning and bring the world of Kensuke's Kingdom to life before our eyes. The details of the story which I won't go into are both utterly heartbreaking and uplifting at once. I wish there were more films of this calibre being made on a regular basis and not just the same old remakes and sequels being churned out year upon year.

Michael Morpurgo's children's story was adapted as an animation by Frank Cottrell-Boyce. At its' heart is ecological issues with inspiration from Robinson Crusoe.

Set in the late 1990s. Michael is a young boy whose family go on a round the world sailing trip after his parents lose their jobs.

Michael has naughtily smuggled his dog Stella onboard. When the boat hits stormy weather. Michael and Stella find themselves stranded in a remote island.

They are not alone. In the island is an elderly Japanese second world war veteran, Kensuke (Ken Watanabe.)

He can only speak Japanese but he provides food for the Micheal.

Eventually young Michael learns to appreciate the beauty of the island environment and how it is in peril.

Especially when hunters arrive to shoot or take the wild animals.

Kensuke has been protecting the animal kingdom.

The animation is good, the story is simple with hope and sadness. It was unexpectedly charming and moving.

When his parents lose their jobs, they decide to sell up and spend a year circumnavigating the globe on their boat - the "Peggy Sue". Unbeknown to his parents, though, teenage son "Michael" has smuggled their dog "Stella" aboard and is feeding her from their supply of digestive biscuits! Of course this isn't a secret he can keep for long, and actually it shows us that "Michael" isn't actually the most grown up of boys as he seems to view parental instructions more like optional guidelines. That rather comes home to roost when a storm hits the boat and both he and his canine companion are washed overboard and then ashore a small island. There's no food, no water - and a baking sun, so you wouldn't think much for his chances - except. Well, they awake to find some hand-prepared sushi and freshly cracked coconut milk on the hollowed out log they were using as shelter. Maybe this island isn't as hostile as he'd first thought? Well the jellyfish certainly have it in for him, and that's when he meets his benefactor - an old gent who would appear to have been on the island for a very long time. Gradually, the two - with no common language - start to trust one and other and "Kensuke" starts to impart to the boy some of his own values as they learn to collaborate with nature on this increasingly attractive paradise. Desperate for rescue when he arrived - is he still so desperate now? We learn a little of the backstory of the island's sole human occupant which adds some richness, and some sadness, to two straightforwardly engaging characterisations and with an animation that reminded me a little, in style, of the "Snowman" (1982) and a fitting musical accompaniment from Stuart Hancock I found this to be a short, sweet and enjoyably poignant story of learning a little about self-reliance and not so much about self-importance.

If you don't want to cry your eyes out.

I must admit I got bored at the beginning with the main character, and was thinking of giving it up, but I'm a completionist so I had to see it through. And boy am I glad I did!

Everything is amazing - animation, the story, music... one of the best animated movies I've ever seen, especially because it tackles world issues that wound my heart - and the world - the most: animal poaching (leading to species extinction and ecosystem disbalance), stupid wars, but it also shows what a small paradise we could have if we only learned to live within the nature's world, instead of considering ourselves above it, and treasure what it gave us.

I'm sorry that I haven't even known about the book before watching this (there are so many amazing ones, it's impossible to know and read them all! T_T ), but I'll be sure to find and read it!