Butterfly Tale * An Epic And Sweet Tale Indeed! This Animated Film About Butterfly Migration Is As Uplifting As It Is Revelatory!
Recently accepted to our film festival, Butterfly Tale is an animated feature film for the whole family set along the diverse, picturesque, and ever-changing backdrop of the great Monarch butterfly migration. A heartwarming tale of a gutsy and loveable yet inept, one-winged butterfly, named Patrick who stows away in a milkweed trailer in order to be part of the journey of a lifetime. With his best friend, a goofy caterpillar named Marty, and Jennifer, a butterfly who is afraid of heights, Patrick will become an unlikely hero. But first he must face his fear, embrace his uniqueness and triumph over adversity while battling changing weather patterns, humans and three evil birds bent on revenge.
It is a tale of adventure, self-realization and heroism told with humor whose message is that our differences are less important than the bonds we share, and it is in adversity that our true character shines through. From Canada. Director Biography – Sophie Roy; Writer: Heidi Foss and Lienne Sawatsky; Producer: Marie-Claude Beauchamp & Emely Christians; Cast: Tatiana Maslany & Mena Massoud
Juror comments: Butterfly Tale is an epic and sweet tale indeed! This animated film about butterfly migration is as uplifting as it is revelatory! Scored with professional music that is a compilation of original songs and chamber music underscore, kids will be tapping their feet and wiping their eyes.
Butterfly Tale is an animated story about three butterflies who, despite special challenges, attempt to fly with their ‘flock’ of butterflies to Mexico for their annual migration. The characters are adorable physically and emotionally! I believe both adults and children will love this beautiful film.
The story line begins with a joyful young butterfly who has a full size wing and a mini-wing. This challenge makes Patrick unable to fly like the other butterflies, and his anger at this, “It’s unfair!” does not change the dangers; he is vulnerable and unsafe. I love the way that his disability is handled by the writer who creates a sympathetic mother and caterpillar friend, Marty contrasted with bratty young butterfly boys who make fun of Patrick.
As the story unfolds, Patrick and Marty sneak their way into the food trailer that is pulled by Jennifer, a butterfly who is afraid of heights. Through thick and thin, these friends help each other and support each other’s fears and feelings of inadequacy. It is this vulnerability and courage that make the story line relatable, emotional and sentimental.
The animation for this film is nuanced and gorgeous. Flying high overhead and in between flowers and desert canyons, the point of view (POV) of Monarch butterflies never looked so amazing. Each wing is intricately designed and fluttering in unison, which is a real treat for viewers! The animated characters have lavender faces which give a nod to diversity not only in form, but in color. The caterpillar, Marty, with his natural costume of many yellow legs and a body that rolls up like a bug is a big part of the comic relief – well done!
The backgrounds for the many scenes in the travelers’ journey range from the colorful waters of the tropics, to the dusty golds and oranges of the desert. The less attractive backgrounds are highways, sprawling subdivisions and parking lots which are fairly depicted, and comparatively nauseating. This is not meant to disparage humans, but perhaps give viewers a moment to consider their development templates in favor of more eco-friendly gardens and wildlife corridors. The Canadian Academy ought to nominate Butterfly Tale music for an award. From start to finish, composer Martin Roy uses multicultural rhythms and melodies to support the emotions in the film. An example from the beginning is snapping fingers and African-sounding strings that merge into violins and bass. The tender songs are performed by Shawn Mendes, Johnny Orlando and Coeur de Pirate who are sure to break the hearts of teen and tween kids with their silky innocence and bold young voices. I mean that in a delicious way. The music is not overplayed – something I do not like. The power of the visuals stands head to toe with this magical score.
The entire film is one visual effect after another. It is a masterpiece. Character development happens mostly to four characters; Patrick (Mena Massoud), his mother (Stephanie Breton), Jennifer (Tatiana Maslany), and Marty (Lucinda Davis). Patrick begins as a rebellious young butterfly who can’t seem to find his place in the butterfly clan because of his inept wing. His relationship with his mother goes from being resentful of her protective nature, disallowing him to come on the migration and insisting he stay home to mind the milkweed, to tables turning when he realizes he may have lost her during a terrible tornado, feeling guilty, but in the end, his mother and Patrick revel in being reunited and his overcoming his flight issue through perseverance and support from his friends. His mother also realizes she could have been more trusting of him and less of a worrier in hindsight. Jennifer, the butterfly who insists on pulling the food trailer with the boys in it who cannot fly, comes to terms with her embarrassment of fearing heights. She takes a leap of faith thanks to her pals who insist she can fly through the canyons although it is her first migration too and she has the nerve to ‘just do it!’
Marty’s transformation happens not only inside himself, wishing he could be a butterfly instead of a caterpillar and through his loyalty to his pals and theirs to him, but also at the end he becomes a beautiful butterfly and he wins the girl that he loves! The producers, director, funders, and animators of this film have created a tender story for children and adults and turned it into a feel-good story with very positive morals – love each other; stick together; make a plan; do your best. A special tip of the hat to the composer and musicians who carry the film to the top of the mountain!The music is what touched my heart most deeply. Many of the songs may become popular and the underscore is elegant and written for the film.
The film’s message is about personal choices and maintaining the confidence to see your dreams through to the end. Believe in yourself and others! It also provides environmental education, artistic excellence and outstanding animation.
I give Butterfly Tale 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 18, plus adults. People of all ages will enjoy this film because it is so well designed; the characters are so appealing and the music rocks. Having said that, it is for the tenderhearted and, if one is looking for grit and violent thrills, this may not be your jam. By Nancy K., KIDS FIRST!
