Swapped Review (Netflix)
Michael B. Jordan and Juno Temple lead this charming family animation.
Sometimes, a well-thought-out plot can still not hold up if the medium it is told is not right. Unfortunately for Netflix’s newest animated film, Swapped, the animation style does not work well and throws off the viewer’s attention. From all the other elements of the storyline, it could have been a tale relatable to adults and important for children. Yet instead, it becomes irritating to the eye to have to watch when you wish you could connect with the characters more.
Swapped, produced by John Lasseter and directed by Nathan Greno (Tangled). You would expect these two minds to create something new, fresh and great. Yet somehow, for me, there was something not entirely right about the animation’s style. It was familiar, but it was irksome.
What we would assume to be a chipmunk, little Ollie the Pookoo (Michael B. Jordan), lives on a secluded island with the rest of his Pookoo family. Taught from a young age to never trust an outsider, Ollie, of course, still trusts easily. As a young Pookoo, he meets a bird-like creature who ends up bringing their family and stealing the Pookoo’s food. Years later, Ollie then meets the majestic Javan, Ivy (Juno Temple). Natural sworn enemies of the valley, the two find themselves in a difficult situation — they have magically swapped places. The only way to return to who they are meant to be and make it back home is to work together. They set off on an adventure of a lifetime.
Now, the animation of Swapped might have thrown me off, but that is not to say the story that has been crafted here is not good. The writing team of Christian Magalhaes, Robert Snow, and John Whittington have definitely collaborated before. It is clear in their work that they created a story that would be good for the younger audience, but those more mature in life would also be able to reflect upon. Swapped is a tale of trust and understanding. In its own way, it reminds us that we cannot “judge a book by its cover”. It is what is underneath, or inside, that is most important.
Let’s just say, the voice actors, though they will help bring the audience to the film, do not add much in terms of the feel of the film itself. While Jordan and Temple are wonderful actors in their own right, their voices are hidden within the animation. This might seem quite strange to say, but this is something I would definitely prefer when watching an animated film. When I can hear the actor behind the voice, I am further pulled away from what I am watching. So, for Swapped, this works in the film’s favour. Filled with a stellar cast — Jordan, Temple, Tracy Morgan, and more — Swapped’s voice actors give you the chance to dive deeper into the film.
I should know what I am getting myself into when I set out to watch a film targeted for children. Being completely transparent, however, apart from my dislike of some of the animation, Swapped as a story itself was truly compelling. The development within the story and the characters is touching. It is made for children to learn multiple lessons. As points are shared — Ollie and Ivy having met at a young age, or the truth of the fire wolf from the family stories — the more mature audience might catch on quicker. But the whole point of the film is to remind us all that we should not be so quick to jump to conclusions about people we do not really know.
Creativity hits its highs and mids during Swapped. With a compelling story for children, slightly tempting animation, and a voice cast that hides behind their roles, there is a certain level of enjoyment that comes out.
★★★
On Netflix from May 1st / Michael B. Jordan, Juno Temple, Nathan Greno, Cedric the Entertainer, Tracy Morgan, Ambika Mod / Dir: Nathan Greno / Netflix / PG
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