Ploey You Never Fly Alone movie review

MOVIE TITLE:   Ploey 

RATING: PG 

LENGTH:  1 hour 23 minutes 

Movie Review Mom GRADE: A-

IN A NUTSHELL:  Directed by Arni Asgeirsson and written by Friorik Erlingsson, this Icelandic film is sweet and family-friendly.  You’ll learn about a breed of bird called a “plover” as well as see cormorants, swans, ravens and a few other creatures that inhabit Iceland.

It’s a coming-of-age story for a little bird as he overcomes fear and braves the cold winter after missing the southern migration of the plovers.  The story is simple with colorful characters and some heart.

This movie is NOT available in theaters yet but goes straight to streaming on March 28, 2019.

TIPS FOR PARENTS:

• Giron (voiced by John Stamos) teaches Ploey that no one cares and that he’s on his own. Talk to your kids about all of the people who DO care about them.
• Some bird and animal deaths.
• Birds in peril.
• Young children will be more interested in this than older ones.

THEMES:

• Revenge
• Determination
• Fear vs. bravery
• “True love is the one thing that can make you fly.” – Sheep (Dona Croll)
• Hope

THINGS I LIKED:

• Some really beautiful images and landscapes.
• Ah, young love.  Cute.
• It’s so funny to see Ploey running and walking around on the ground before he learns how to fly.
• I love that the movie included the Aurora Borealis!  I’m planning to go to Iceland this Fall to see the Northern Lights!  I’m so excited!  It’s been on my Bucket List for years to see the magical night lights!

• Jerry Garcia voices a mouse.
• The computer animation crew did a great job making the little creatures’ faces and bodies so expressive.
• The various accents help kids see how different the varieties of birds and creatures are.
• It’s very colorful.

THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE:

• I love Sean Astin, so I was disappointed that he played such a tiny role in the movie, especially considering they advertise that he’s one of the stars.
• There’s one scene where the animation is very bad.  Otherwise, it’s quite rich and detailed.
• There are a couple of odd dream/vision scenes that might confuse young kids.
• There are way too many “He’s dead!”  “No, wait, he’s not dead!” flip flops.
• Not a lot of humor for adults to make sitting through this movie with their kids more entertaining.
• Kids might get confused by Skua and Sterna, thinking they’re the same bird.
• It’s a little slow-moving at times.

FUNNY LINES:
    * “I’ve gone vegan, you know.” – Skua

• “You need to learn to fly or it’s bye-bye.” – flight instructor
• “Ploey, the Plover. How original.” – Giron (John Stamos)

INTERESTING LINES:

* “What did you say to him?” – Sterna

“It’s not what I said, but what he heard, that matters.” – Sheep

Another movie from the same production company that is equally sweet, colorful, and “safe” for your kids is:

Tall Tales from the Magical Garden of Antoon Krings

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Coming soon!

@TrinaBoice