[Review] The Little Prince

"Growing up is not the problem. Forgetting is."

This animated gem came out in several countries last year, but it had difficulties landing a stateside release, for unfortunate reasons. However, we can now thank the almighty Netflix for picking up The Little Prince and making it available to watch in the US. I highly recommend seeking this one out. You don't even have to leave your couch! But this adventurous film might inspire you to do so anyway.

Adapted from a beloved French novella, The Little Prince fleshes out the story through the eyes of The Little Girl (voiced by Mackenzie Foy), a curious soul with an overwhelmingly structured life. She befriends her next-door neighbor--an eccentric old Aviator (Jeff Bridges) and learns of his whimsical tales about a magical Little Prince (Riley Osborne) who resides in outer space.

The film alternates between impressively vivid, sleek 3D-style animation and wondrously charming stop-motion that appears to be as light and delicate as paper figures. It's all enhanced with a sweet, soothing, and melodic soundtrack. The narrative lifts off to some poignant and heartfelt levels, propelling toward a few clever and revelatory twists in the second half. The stacked supporting cast, who refreshingly sound almost unrecognizable, includes: Rachel McAdams, Paul Rudd, James Franco, Marion Cotillard, Benicio del Toro, Ricky Gervais, Paul Giamatti, and Albert Brooks.

The Little Prince is a gentle yet magnificent film about escaping all the hustle & bustle and stopping to smell the roses. Appreciate beauty. Look toward the stars. And don't leave your imagination behind.

* 8.5/10 *

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