Storm Crashers

It's hard to find a movie that touches your heart lately, and that's the case with Giants, or "The Explorers" in our country.

It's a movie with soul, and you can tell it was made with heart. Its protagonists are unusual characters, and far from being the typical heroes of animated films, they are erratic beings, but with conviction. This tells us that many times the will and desire are the greatest tools to achieve our dreams, no matter how impossible they may seem.

Visually, the art is extremely original, with a Stop Motion style at times reminiscent of the beautiful Laika films.

The animation is very good and the humor that is constant throughout the adventure stands out.

An important detail, for some reason in our country they removed the references to Don Quixote, which in my opinion makes it even more interesting, since it closes the whole concept of the movie.

If you want to have a good time with your family, and especially transmit messages and values to your children, go see this movie, then talk to them... And you will be surprised at the number of messages the movie contains.

We need more movies like this.

Alfonso is Don Quixote's heir. He too has a wild imagination. He is excited to see that the coming storm is not a storm, but a monster. A storm can't be tamed but a monster can be defeated. He has his two friends, Pancho and Victoria, and various imaginary friends. They intend to stop the villagers from leaving the rain-soaked town and defeat the monster in turn. Carrasco is trying to sell homes to the villagers in his Carrascoland.

I like this for this European animation film. I like the Don Quixote connection and the animation style. I'm not sure if we should see the imaginary world right away. Alfonso should talk to no one and about nothing. Maybe the imaginary world would come alive with the climatic battle. This is interesting but not the best.

If I had a nickel for everytime a movie based on Don Quixote was released in the 2020's... I'd have two nickels. Which isn't a lot, but it'd be weird that it happened twice.

Overall, this movie is not pleasing to the eyes, having a CGI style with unflattering character designs; the fact that the 2D concept art in the credits is so lively only makes this a bigger sin. If it has one redeeming quality, it's the depiction of Spain's mountains, which look gorgeous.

Some odd creative decisions include having the Panzas be scientists, one of the henchmen having a weirdly swolen neck, three imaginary rabbits that have no impact in the plot and a jittery rate frame that makes movements look bizarre and unnatural.

The villain is a generic cliché and the story doesn't seem consistent with how ruthless he is given a scene I won't spoil. This movie has an environmentalist message, though it's also anti-gentrification so kudos I guess.

Overall a disjointed mess.

"Giants of La Mancha" sweeps viewers into a whimsical world filled with adventure, heart, and imagination. Drawing inspiration from the timeless tale of Don Quixote, the film introduces us to the spirited Alfonso Quijote and his loyal companion, Pancho Panza, as they embark on a daring quest to save their village.

One of the film's standout qualities is its captivating animation, which brings the fantastical landscapes of La Mancha to life with stunning detail and vibrant colors. From rolling hills to towering windmills, each scene is beautifully crafted, immersing viewers in a visually stunning experience.

But it's not just the visuals that shine in "Giants of La Mancha." The film's charming characters and heartfelt story are equally captivating. Alfonso, Pancho, and their friends are endearing and relatable, each with their own strengths and flaws that make them feel authentic and relatable.

"Giants of La Mancha" also introduces us to Victoria, a character who adds depth and emotion to the story. As Alfonso's secret crush, Victoria is not just a love interest but a strong and independent character in her own right. With her cool demeanor and unwavering determination, she becomes an integral part of the adventure, proving that courage knows no bounds.

Throughout the film, Victoria's presence serves as a source of inspiration for Alfonso and his friends. Her unwavering support and belief in their mission fuel their determination to overcome obstacles and face their fears. Victoria's character development adds layers of complexity to the narrative, highlighting the importance of friendship and solidarity in the face of adversity.

As the story reaches its emotive ending, viewers are treated to a heartwarming conclusion that celebrates the power of hope and resilience. Without giving away spoilers, the climax of "Giants of La Mancha" is both poignant and uplifting, leaving audiences with a sense of fulfillment and satisfaction. It's a testament to the film's masterful storytelling and character development, leaving a lasting impression long after the credits roll.

Just watched this at the cinema. Wow, is it bad. There's a fart gag, or similar every few minutes. For some reason, in the last few scenes there's a mime for no other reason than cheap laughs. Nobody laughed. Seriously, maybe one in eight gags got a reaction from the audience despite being mostly children.

Animation was average at best. In particular the lead character, Alfonso, looked cheap as if they had purchased the model from some animation stock library.

The script and story lacked any sensibility. Some scenes just didn't make any sense at all. The imaginary characters could have played a major part in the movie, but were just some weird subplot. There are so many better kids movies out there.