The only reason I couldn't give the film a full 10 stars is because the dialogue, whilst understandably aimed at a much younger audience, was almost patronizingly simplistic in places, and relied far to much on repetition to get the message across. Fewer words and more subtle actions could have achieved a truly brilliant film, though I'm hoping this is just a side-effect of the subtitling; an English dub with more carefully chosen words would easily overcome this very minor flaw.
That said, this film is a real gem. When Gabu the Wolf "accidentally" befriends Mei the goat, a bond between them forms that is far stronger than either one anticipates. Each finds in the other something neither has had before (though this is made less obvious with Mei than it is with Gabu), and they defy both of their respective kinds to seek a friendship that would be permanent.
As an adult, I have to admit that some of the dialogue and the choice of editing during the film made it seem that there was something in their relationship that was quite carnal in nature: Their both wearing of scarves; Gabu's recollection of how he didn't fit in with the other wolves and his later lamentation of why he was born a wolf. One could quite easily assume that this was an allegory for a homosexual relationship. The friendship could have been demonstrated to be just as strong without such suggestions being made, but an innocent young child watching this film will not likely draw such conclusions. Instead, they will simply see two unlikely friends forge a wonderful friendship, and this is how it should be.
The music is wonderful, and the visuals are stunning; the high-definition version of this film is jaw-droppingly beautiful to watch. The voice work is typically childish in delivery (given the nature of the film) but it doesn't detract from the emotion that is delivered throughout the film.
You know a film has succeeded when you reach the end of it, you wipe a tear from your eye, and you wish both protagonists all the best with the rest of their relationship.
I would recommend this film to all.
That said, this film is a real gem. When Gabu the Wolf "accidentally" befriends Mei the goat, a bond between them forms that is far stronger than either one anticipates. Each finds in the other something neither has had before (though this is made less obvious with Mei than it is with Gabu), and they defy both of their respective kinds to seek a friendship that would be permanent.
As an adult, I have to admit that some of the dialogue and the choice of editing during the film made it seem that there was something in their relationship that was quite carnal in nature: Their both wearing of scarves; Gabu's recollection of how he didn't fit in with the other wolves and his later lamentation of why he was born a wolf. One could quite easily assume that this was an allegory for a homosexual relationship. The friendship could have been demonstrated to be just as strong without such suggestions being made, but an innocent young child watching this film will not likely draw such conclusions. Instead, they will simply see two unlikely friends forge a wonderful friendship, and this is how it should be.
The music is wonderful, and the visuals are stunning; the high-definition version of this film is jaw-droppingly beautiful to watch. The voice work is typically childish in delivery (given the nature of the film) but it doesn't detract from the emotion that is delivered throughout the film.
You know a film has succeeded when you reach the end of it, you wipe a tear from your eye, and you wish both protagonists all the best with the rest of their relationship.
I would recommend this film to all.