Jenai Rothnie

If I were going entirely on visuals, animated sequences, and comedic timing I'd give this an 8/10. The musical score perhaps a 6/10 - a couple good numbers but heavily song bloated while plot was sacrificed. For plot structure, 4/10, since while some side characters get a solid introduction, growth arc, and conclusion the main characters are introduced already after a crucial change, and their character development goes backwards. Messaging wise, though, 1/10. Several characters even go through backwards character growth. Some of the messages in this movie: - Emotions are either good and helpful (happiness, positivity, curiosity, love;) or bad and dangerous (hurt, betrayal, sadness; anger, etc. - with no difference whatsoever as to whether or not the feeling is justifiable or what triggered it. - Letting out justifiable bottled up feelings is dangerous and could hurt you, so it's better just to stay happy - If parents fight too much, it's better for them to just separate. Their kids will be better off, too. Why bother trying to humble oneself and see where you've hurt the other or need to change? It's easier and happier for everyone if you don't try. - If parents realize they are bringing out the worst in each other, again it's better to rush to separation and not even consider a shocking notion like trying to bring out the best in each other - Kids should trust their parents love them no matter what even if the parents have 'fallen out of love' with each other, and even if the parents have been neglecting the child, dumping responsibilities on them for years, and making the kid clean up their messes. - Anyone can get used to anything. Mistreatment, people not caring about your welfare, having to eat rotten food and crawl in the dirt - you can adapt to any circumstance and learn to love your new humiliating normal. (This is a B plot but the weirdest messaging.) - Rather than growing up, 16 year olds should take it easy and grow down. Forget your skills, whatever job you've been doing successfully, the messes you've cleaned up, or your career path. Just kick back, be messy, drop all those side hustles, and enjoy your free time. - Don't think about problems too deeply. Just be happy and positive, all the time. All change is good change! Don't give into negative emotions like feeling hurt over changes when people don't take your welfare into account. Etc. My kids loved the cute animals but were very confused by the messaging, too, like why was it being portrayed as negative/dark/bad or as a lack of communication when Ellia was finally opening up about her bottled feelings.

Charming, whimsical, and wholesome. It's been a long time since I enjoyed a new musical so thoroughly, and even my picky kids who usually stick to animation only enjoyed it! There were a good mix of touching and hilarious moments, with magical scenes. If there was one flaw, it was that the message was pretty guessable and there were almost too many happy endings thrown in (at least three side romances that the main character was partially responsible for. 😂) But I don't mind an extra when happy when it's done well, as this was. The choreography was good, songs were catchy and used well to convey exposition or plot, the costumes were good, and the right tone was hit as several plot elements could have come off as top absurd or over the top. If one is able to suspend disbelief a bit on the logistics of sourcing chocolate ingredients en masse, it's a must see family film.