The film opens with a bit of narration making fun of
opening with a bit of narration: “Once upon a time, there was a handsome
narrator. He opened a movie by telling the story of a jungle tribe, happy and
carefree and generally idiotic.” So right away I am on board with this
movie. The narrator speaks of a prophecy of tragedy for the tribe, the shaman’s
intern adding that the tribe will be saved by a golden dragon. It’s a cute and
rather funny way of opening the film.
We are then introduced to Wally and his friends, who are
playing video games. Wally is a nervous, unadventurous, talkative soul,
particularly when compared with Krash and the others. When another friend needs
to use the computer, Krash protests that he still has another life left. Krash
is told: “But you’re wrong. You only have one life, and you shouldn’t waste
it playing video games.” That’s a good message for kids these days (and for
adults, come to think of it). So the friends go outside, looking for real
adventure. Wally stays behind, lamenting his lack of bravery. So when Dokko
demonstrates a new invention that will transfer one person’s skills and talents
to another, Wally sees his chance to become braver.
So later Wally sneaks into the flying contraption where
the device is stored (the next day Dokko is scheduled to show the device to
other scientists), but something goes wrong and he finds himself now in the body
of a caterpillar, while the mind of the caterpillar clearly occupies Wally’s
own body. Switching back proves no easy task, especially as when he wakes, he
finds they’re airborne. After parachuting to safety, the group has to find
Wally’s body and find their way out of the strange jungle, and they need to do
it before the caterpillar begins turning into a butterfly. Complicating things
is a nearby tribe that believes Wally’s body is the Golden Dragon come to save
them.
This is a fast-paced movie with bright, appealing colors.
Children should enjoy it, and there are enough little jokes and references to
please adult viewers. The movie contains references to 2001: A Space Odyssey,
The Muppet Show, The Tempest, Raiders Of The Lost Ark, and
even Franklin D. Roosevelt. There are plenty of silly lines, such as “This
place is a lot darker at night for some reason” and “That pineapple is
trying to steal Wally” and (probably my favorite) “Sound the alarm – do
we have an alarm? – Build an alarm!” Yes, it’s a cute film. By the way, the
narrator is only used at the very beginning.
Special Features
The DVD includes character profiles and the movie’s
trailer.
Kikoriki: Legend Of The Golden Dragon was directed
by Denis Chebnov, and is scheduled to be released on DVD on March 7, 2017
through Shout! Factory. The film is presented in English.
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