Customer Reviews

Kirikou And The Wild Beast

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

One of the most interesting animated tales I have ever seen on DVD is "Kirikou and the Sorceress" - an unqualified 5 out of 5. That film tells the story of a tiny boy born with magical powers and canny intelligence who defeats a witch in the forest who is capturing the male warriors of a Senegalese village tribe.

The next movie "Kirikou and the Wild Beast" is a sequel and like most sequels it never quite matches the originality of the earlier film. In fact, the magical birth of Kirikou is never explained or referred to. What is the purpose of the next film? It is a collection of short tales of Kirikou's adventures - such as riding a giraffe, outsmarting a powerful hyena, or creating lovely and valuable pottery for the village trading post.

Nevertheless - the new film exceeds the original in one department - glorious animation design. Unbelievable. The artwork is equal to the best animation anywhere - computer or otherwise. So many of the frames resemble the jungle paintings by the French self-trained artist Henri Rousseau who stunned the art world in the early 20th century. And for this alone, I would readily recommend the movie.

If you've seen Kirikou and the Sorceress, you know about the fantastic artwork that both these movies share. They're both animated by really excellent artists. The stories are excellent, too. Kirikou and the Wild Beast is four short stories that take place between scenes of Kirikou and the Sorceress. They take place in a west African village, and are children's stories. Note, however, if you're offended by nudity, that all the characters wear traditional west African dress. The children are nude, and all the adults are nude from the waist up. I like it that the animals are animals, not furry humans as they are in so many US animated films.

Our family is a big fan of Kirikou and this one is no exception. Beautiful animation, interesting stories, and he is his usual clever self -- "small but mighty".

I don't speak French but this move is sooo beautiful, it's worth it. My kids (7 and 3) also love it and for a movie only with subtitles to keep the attention of young children that don't speak the language that's being spoken is a huge testament to its beauty.

I was so impressed by the first movie, Kirikou And the Sorceress, that I took a chance with this one, Kirikou and the Wild Beast. It has nice scenes, from pottery making to a community garden, and solutions to problems when animals interfere. Yes the art is great, and many of the same characters appear, but the story is not as well developed. I was hoping for more. I would encourage anyone and everyone to see (purchase) the first movie, Kirikou and the Sorceress. It has brilliance, incredible art, and most importantly, an amazing story that rises above the same old moralistic good versus evil. Though the little child, Kirikou has only a short interaction between his wise grandfather, there is such beautifully rendered tenderness and revelation. Many subjects are brought to life and dealt with- superstition, foolishness, fear, problem solving, determination and a sorceress who is transformed by the release of pain. Kirikou and the Wild Beast is a nice movie but nothing like the first Kirikou.

I already had Kirikou and the Sorceress, so when I saw this verion I had to get it. Both are beautiful works of art with wonders moral lessons shown through African life. I hope to show these cartoons to my grandchildren one day.

I perhaps did not look closely enough, but the film was not in the english version like the first Kirkou which I loved and the kids raved about. Please let me know if you get an english version (no sub-titles. I liked it as an adult, the younger folks which we serve find it a bit overwhelming to keep up with the subtitles.

shipping took way too long. Plus after waiting that
long the beauitiful movie only in french. Not
helpful to me at all.So i had to buy another
one to replace it. Thank for making me waste
my money. The movie kirikou get 10 stars but
the shipper gets nothing from me.

I would have appreciated a better heads up that this was in French only. Now I have a crying 5 year old because she can't read the subtitles quickly enough. Grrrr.

It's in fine print only, very deceiving, especially since it's called 'Kirikou and the Wild Beast' rather than 'Kirikou et les Bêtes Sauvages.'

I will be returning this.