Natalie Higgins

( HUGE SPOLERS I WILL TALK ABOUT EVERYTHING SO BEWHERE ) I absolutely loved the movie! It's a significant improvement from the show. The animation is stunning, the storyline remains faithful, and the characters are consistent throughout. Marinette feels like a genuine teenage girl, with her insecurities and lack of friends at the beginning. Adrian, on the other hand, portrays a sad boy who finds solace in meeting Ladybug. I really enjoyed it. Now, let's discuss the flaws. Firstly, the movie incorporates musical elements, which is not entirely new for the show. However, the songs aren't as catchy as you would expect for a lighthearted teenage superhero story. They are forgettable, which is a big problem for a kids film. The first song, Marinette's "I want" song, is particularly forgettable. I couldn't remember any of the words after it ended. Additionally, while the voice acting is good, I would have preferred if they had different voice actors to differentiate the movie characters from the show characters. The transitions between speaking and singing, especially for Marinette, felt jarring. Adrian's singing, though not terrible, still couldn't save the forgettable songs. Secondly, the plot and overall execution were decent, considering they had to encompass five seasons into one movie. It lacked the depth that the show offered, understandable given the time constraint. Lastly, the hero lore and climax weren't as great as anticipated. The banter between Ladybug and Cat Noir, which was my favorite element of the show, was present but not on the same level. The timeline of the show was condensed into a quick montage, which made it difficult to feel invested in Gabriel's stress over obtaining the miraculous. The ending fell flat, and I would have preferred a less sympathetic portrayal of the villain. The relationship between Adrian and his father was also underdeveloped, resulting in a lackluster ending. Despite the flaws, the overall movie experience was fantastic. There are more aspects I haven't covered here, but to summarize, it stands well on its own. I'm eagerly looking forward to the sequel teased at the end.