r96sk

0/10

Bit of a waste, in the end. <em>'Flora & Ulysses'</em> isn't a bad watch, but it doesn't utilise a cool premise or a strong showing from youngster Matilda Lawler. The latter fairly impressed me, especially early on. Behind her, Ben Schwartz is OK and Alyson Hannigan is, as seemingly always, likeable. Given how interesting the concept is, the film barely even touches on Ulysses' abilities - when they do, e.g. at the diner, then it is actually nicely created with the effects, slow motion et al. Instead they focus on a familial story, which didn't intrigue me whatsoever. I did like the comic book onscreen graphics, mind. Perhaps others will find enjoyment with this, fair enough if so. For me, though, it's average and forgettable.

Louisa Moore - Screen Zealots

0/10

Disney has taken Kate DiCamillo’s 2013 Newbery Award-winning book “Flora and Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures” and made it into a second-rate movie (shortened to “Flora & Ulysses”) that will only appeal to kids who have pretty low standards. There’s a cute little girl (Matilda Lawler), a fuzzy squirrel (created from choppy CGI), and a story that throws in a handful of positive life lessons, but the slapdash action scenes, dumb pratfalls, and dull storytelling combine to form a family film with an unredeemable lack of magic. Flora (Lawler) is an avid comic book fan and cynic, who is having trouble dealing with the fact that her parents (Alyson Hannigan, Ben Schwartz) have recently separated. One day, the 10-year-old girl saves a squirrel who has been sucked into a vacuum cleaner. Flora names her rescued pal Ulysses after she discovers he possesses superhero powers (and can write poetry). The duo go on a series of adventures while avoiding an animal control officer (Danny Pudi) who wants to capture and kill the potentially rabid squirrel. The film feels like a dated Disney flick, with a simple message that relies heavily on mom and dad style humor. There is a good theme of what being a “true hero” means wrapped up with a couple of platitudes about the importance of family, but the more positive ideas seem buried under the lifeless action scenes (and dopey slow motion) that makes the project barely rise above the lowest quality t.v. movie. There can’t be an unhappy ending of course, so Ulysses helps Flora fix the broken elements in her life. The little girl hopes her estranged parents will get back together and that her mom will be able to rise above her writer’s block. She wishes humans would treat animals better too, and thankfully her new squirrel buddy convinces most of them that he’s worth saving. If you or your kids really like squirrels, are very bored, and are easily entertained, then “Flora and Ulysses” may be good enough for family movie night. The film starts out really rough and despite a mild improvement about halfway through, it never gets over the hump of mediocrity.

wolfkin

0/10

Spoilers

Delivered exactly as promised from the trailer. This is a squirrel that's powerful (for a squirrel) who bonds with a girl going through a rough time. I like the characters (Flora for instance is a cynic who is trying to push down her sense of hope and wonder), I like the actors (Matilda is adorable with her dark eyebrows who is capable of gazing at things, usually Ulysses, with such wonder). Because of the comic book references you kinda wonder if this is going to be the new Matilda and it isn't, but it's not going to blow you away but it's not going to make you grade your teeth with how twee it is (looking at you _Book of Henry_). The story is cute without being too cute and they don't waste your time making you wonder if this is all in the girls head like (other movies featuring fantastical girl that I'll not name for semi spoiler reasons). The Squirrel has powers and can understand. That much we know almost right off the bat. There are still surprises to be found. The movie also has an excellent sense of scale. We don't end up saving the world or with a squirrel suddenly lifting entire buildings. This movie knows what it is and doesn't try to be anything it isn't. It's just a fun inoffensive family movie featuring a lot of your favorite comedic actors (I mean a LOT of them from Nancy Roberts of Corner Gas to Danny Pudi of Community and more). It's a great time to watch with boys, girls and any number of the whole family.