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Disney’s newest animated feature film, Strange World, puts its focus on the Clade Family whose legacy runs deep in exploration and discovery. When the longevity of their home is threatened, they must embark on a journey to find a way to save their way of life, only to find themselves in an even stranger world. Don’t worry, there will be no spoilers ahead as always!
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An Exploration Into The Movie
Strange World feels a combination of Atlantis: The Lost Empire and Pixar’s Up but all in the Indiana Jones font. While it is targeted toward children of all ages, it’s the combination of those three movies that made me feel as if it was an adventure story for adults. It is colorful and vibrant, and gives us a whole new world to explore and release our curiosity. What you see isn’t exactly what it seems and that mystery is what keeps you guessing and engaged till the very end.
This movie knows what story it wants to tell, and succeeds in doing so without dragging its feet or trying to take the audience in different directions. Yes, it’s predictable but that is never a bad thing so long as it manages to tell its story in a new and unique way. And without giving too much away, I can say that Strange World introduced us to something that’s a little different and unusual, while tackling some great themes that need to be openly discussed.
What really pushes this movie to being as great as it is are the different characters that we are introduced to. From every member of the Clade family to the crew mates, they’re each enjoyable and never really feel out of place to where it disrupts the movie’s more serious moments. I have to admit that it’s a shame this movie did not get the proper marketing it should have gotten given the representation it offers. Not only do you have an interracial family, but you also have a leading queer character whose queerness is not an obstacle but rather something normal and a part of life, the way it should be.
Overall…It’s An Adventure!
I will say that while I was able to connect to the characters and their journeys with one another, there wasn’t anything in particular to get me to feel the heavy or strong emotions that Disney and Pixar are known to evoke. It’s your typical run-of-the-mill exploration story that gives you obstacles, complicated relationship dynamics, fun sidekicks, and an adventure that you’ll hopefully remember. And while I loved it tremendously, it feels as if Strange World’s popularity may not pick up for a couple years minimum, if it does at all. Which is all the more reason to go and watch it.
Nothing will stop me from imploring you to give this movie a chance. Whether you watch it with kids, with your significant other, with friends, or just on your own, it’s worth the watch. It’s a short and comforting movie to watch in the midst of a busy holiday season, and it has enough heart to serve as a fun pick-me-up. If you’re looking to explore something new, go watch Strange World, a movie that proves anyone can lead an adventure.
Samosa Rating:
Strange World receives 4 out of 5 Samosas.
Strange World is now playing in theaters.
