Moonbound (2021) by Ali Samadi Ahadi - Review

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by Ali Samadi Ahadi

grade: 6

Moonbound is all in all an enjoyable, colourful and, at times, adrenaline-fuelled feature film for families. A film with an international scope that, however, both in terms of the script and the realisation of the CGI pictures, suffers greatly from the comparison with other animated films made in the meantime all over the world. At the Diagonale’22.

Looking for the lost arm

The fairy tale Peterchens Mondfahrt, written in 1912 by Gerdt von Bassewitz and based on the play of the same name, has become a classic, to the point of inspiring numerous film adaptations, both in live action and animation. No wonder, then, that over the years this fairy tale has been adapted each time according to the filmic approaches typical of a certain era, each time taking on different connotations. With regard to Moonbound, the version made in 2021 by director Ali Samadi Ahadi and presented to the audience at the Diagonale’22 as part of the section Kinderkino, for instance, it is interesting to observe how the story tends to adapt to the models of American animated cinema, favouring certain visual effects rather than the development of the script itself. But let us go step by step.

Peter is twelve years old, has recently moved house with his mother and his little sister Anna and, once grown up, wants to become an astronaut, just like his father, who has recently passed away. One day Anna starts telling him about some encounters with a bizarre talking beetle, who has asked him for help in order to retrieve his arm and his bride, both of whom are on the moon after having been kidnapped by an evil entity. Peter is initially incredulous, yet for him and his sister, a quite unusual journey will begin.

Moonbound, therefore, is all in all an enjoyable, colourful and, at times, adrenaline-fuelled feature film for families. A film with an international scope that, however, both in terms of the script and the realisation of the CG depictions, does not manage to match the aforementioned American models, classifying itself as an undoubtedly pleasant, but also – unfortunately – easily forgettable film. The story of the two siblings thrills, but not too much, entertains, but not too much.

During their journey, the two young protagonists meet a series of bizarre characters. In addition to the aforementioned beetle, in fact, the Sandman, Frau Holle, but also the Night Fairy and many adorable little selenites contribute to enrich this feature film by Ali Samadi Ahadi. Let’s agree: Moonbound suffers greatly from the comparison with other animated feature films made in the meantime all over the world. The desire to emulate better-known production companies has probably caused the focus of the story itself to be lost. If, therefore, the film will soon be forgotten, it is not surprising. And yet, for about an hour and a half, this pleasant little feature film can easily appeal to youngsters, also conveying to them an important message concerning the importance of love and the preservation of the planet.