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ABEL'S ISLAND /
THE DANCING FROG |
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| Actors: Tim Curry, Amanda Plummer, Edna Harris, Heidi Stallings |
| Creators: Michael Sporn |
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Distributor: First Run Features |
| DVD release: 22 July 2008 |
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Feature runtime: 60 minutes
(1 disc) |
| Format: Animated, Color, DVD-Video, Full Screen, NTSC |
| DVD Features: Audio tracks (English), Short film, Art gallery, Animatics |
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Abel's Island and The Dancing Frog are two excellent films for the whole family. Directed and produced by Michael Sporn, this films have the feel of classic animation. Most family-oriented children's films I've seen lately have a fair amount of "shine" on them. Everything seems to need a glossy coating to keep everybody's attention focused on the TV. These films focus on their storylines, and I had an excellent time reviewing them.
Abel's Island is the story of a mouse that is separated from his wife during a rainstorm. After being washed downstream, he is stranded on an island and spends his days trying to get back to his wife. The main theme of this film is self-reliance and determination, and it doesn't pull any punches with its content. Abel has some real issues to deal with on his island. He deals with depression, loneliness, and is in serious peril for most of his adventure. This is where I really noticed Tim Curry's narration: He really sells the ideas of a simple person (or mouse, in this case) lost and afraid of a new world he's trapped in. In the end, he realizes his fate is in his own hands and takes action accordingly. It's a great film and the stronger of the two pieces in this collection.
While Abel's Island would seem to be appropriate for the 6 to 9-year-old set, The Dancing Frog aims for a younger audience. The slower pace and visual look of the film are ideal for family viewing with young children. Narrated by Amanda Plummer, it tells the story of a family's long-lost relative and her early disappointments with life. Things take a turn for the better when she finds a dancing frog that appears to be her ticket to fame and fortune. The main theme of this film is appreciating your friends and family and deciding what is important in life.
Both films are excellent, and if you enjoy the look of classic animation, you'll be delighted with what you find.
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