Film Review – Ferdinand

FERDINAND charges onto Digital Download on 10th April and on 4K Ultra HDTM, Blu-ray, and DVD on 16th April.

Inspired by the beloved book “The Story of Ferdinand,” FERDINAND is a heart-warming family comedy adventure with an all-star cast that includes John Cena, Kate McKinnon, David Tennant, Sally Philips, Gina Rodriguez, Anthony Anderson and many more.

Synopsis

From Blue Sky Studios and director Carlos Saldanha (Rio, Ice Age), FERDINAND, voiced by John Cena (Trainwreck, Daddy’s Home) tells the story of a giant bull with a bigger heart. After being mistaken for a dangerous beast, he is captured and torn from his home. Determined to return to his family, he rallies together a misfit team for the ultimate adventure and proves you can’t judge a bull by its cover.

Review – Contains Spoilers

When Ferdinand’s father doesn’t come back a winner from the latest bullfight, little Ferdinand runs away from the bull ranch and finds himself a home on a lovely farm with Nina and her father and this is where he grows up into a massive strong bull.

One day he is mistaken for a dangerous beast whilst out looking for Nina [complete with a bull in a china shop scene] and ends up being captured and returned to the ranch from which he once escaped.

Up until this point, I was fine with the film, but I then found myself wondering if I was going to have an awkward conversation with my 6-year-old.  What are the bulls doing?  What is that big grey building up the top of the hill where the bulls no good to fight go? Why is the matador poking the bull with a sharp stick.

I didn’t have to worry about the questions as my son had worked it all out for himself and was genuinely concerned for Ferdinand when he found himself forced into the ring to fight.  A scene I wasn’t entirely comfortable with watching let alone my boy!

There are some crazy characters which I think take the edge of the dark undertone of the film and some random dancing at one point keeps the mood light and the attention of younger viewers. I did find that it was a comedy after all as promoted.

The film has a great ending, with all the bulls being rescued and living out their days on the farm with Nina and you come away feeling good. Unfortunately, I’ve not read the book so I can’t comment on how it compares but the film’s caption says it all. “Built to fight, born to love”. Just goes to show you can’t judge a book by it’s cover.

Ferdinand is available on Digital Download on 10th April and 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and DVD on 16th April

Rachael Jess

Animation | USA, 2017 | U | 16th April 2018 (UK) | Twentieth Century Fox Pictures | Dir. Carlos Saldanha | John Cena, Kate McKinnon, Bobby Cannavale, David Tennant

Special features of the Blu-Ray and DVD include:
* Featurettes:
○ “Ferdinand’s Guide to Healthy Living” with John Cena
○ “A Goat’s Guide to Life”
○ “Ferdinand’s Team Supreme”
○ “Spain Through Ferdinand’s Eyes”
○ “Confessions of a Bull-loving Horse”
○ “Creating the Land of Ferdinand”
○ “Anatomy of a Scene: The Bull Run”
○ “Learn to Dance with Ferdinand”
○ “Ferdinand’s Do-It-Yourself Flower Garden”
○ “Creating a Remarka-Bull Song”
* “Home” Music Video
* Art of Ferdinand Gallery

About the Author

Rachael Jess

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