Movie Review: The Little Prince is an adventure for all ages

There’s something about animated films done right that brings out my inner child. A sense of play, the purpose of adventure that seems to be forgotten in the daily grind. Thankfully, there are films like The Little Prince to remind me that wonder is still out there and inside myself.

An adaptation of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s literary classic, The Little Prince stars The Little Girl (Mackenzie Foy), a precocious youngster being prepared by her mother (Rachel McAdams) to get into the prestigious Werth Academy.

Image: eOne Films

But life plans and math homework is soon forgotten when the family move next door to The Aviator (Jeff Bridges), an eccentric old man who is not like the others in the tidy neighbourhood. His grass is overgrown, the house is rundown, and there’s a plane in the backyard.

As The Little Girl and The Aviator bond, he shares the story of how he met The Little Prince (Riley Osborne), a visitor from a faraway planet with his own heartwarming and heartbreaking tales to share. Soon after, The Little Girl embarks on an adventure that takes her to the stars and beyond.

Image: eOne Films

Minions, this film is not. The Little Prince should come with a Mature Themes warning, because there are many subjects the adults in the audience will connect stronger with. Family pressures. Fear of growing up and growing old. But the film moves along at a pace perfect for children of all ages, with outer-space adventures and touching reunions sure to give you all the feels.

Screenplay writers Irena Brignull and Bob Persichetti create a new, relatable tale around the original The Little Prince, and director Mark Osborne (Kung Fu Panda) showcases it with gorgeous 3D stop-motion animation. The A-List voice cast, which also includes Paul Rudd, Marion Cotillard, and Ricky Gervais, seem like they really connect with the story, bringing hope, fear and love to their characterizations.

Image: eOne Films

Bring your favourite stuffie when you watch The Little Prince, which opens today, Friday, March 11. I rate this film 5 out of 5.

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