"Early Man" Review
“Early Man” is an amazing visual spectacle and storytelling debacle simultaneously. That may be a little harsh, because it attempts to have a sweet message. Like its protagonist, it’s not the sharpest knife in the drawer, which is unfortunate coming from the folks that made “Wallace and Gromit” and “Shaun The Sheep”.
Set in the dawn of time, after seeing his tribe pushed out by an army that has mastered bronze making, Dug (Eddie Redmayne) decides that he wants to save his home. The best way to do it is to play a soccer match against Lord Nooth’s (Tom Hiddleston) professional soccer team. It’s your classic underdog versus the bullies story in which the primitive tribe has to learn how work together if they want to get their home back.
If the soccer match in the middle of what should be prehistoric time throws you off, it’s ok, just go with it. You can guess the twists and turns in the story from a mile away. The unique aspect is the elaborate story animation. Seeing a stadium filled with spectators fade into one character being on the pitch by herself after daydreaming is a outstanding. It’s just unfortunate that the film’s story isn’t as unique.
You could definitely take the kids to see “Early Man” and have a good time with them. They’ll laugh. You’ll be thinking about what’s for dinner in between laughs. It’s a nice family film that falls flat in its predictable story.
Rating: C-
