NEW YORK – The inclusion of homosexuality in movies aimed at youngsters has become almost as much a trademark of the Disney empire as Mickey Mouse himself. So it’s hardly surprising that the animated adventure “Strange World” – permeated and marred by a general desire for political correctness – proves its supposedly enlightened bona fides in this way as in many others.
Helmed by Don Hall and co-directed by Qui Nguyen, who also penned the heavy-handed script, the film tells the story of the Clade family, denizens of an imaginary realm called Avalonia. As opening flashbacks show, youthful Searcher Clade (voice of Jake Gyllenhaal) earned his place in history by discovering Pando, an energy-emitting plant that revolutionized Avalonia’s previously backward society.
Jump ahead 25 years and Searcher is now a prosperous farmer living a happy domestic life with his loving wife Meridian (voice of Gabrielle Union) and his 16-year-old son Ethan (voice of Jaboukie Young-White). Learning of a blight that threatens to kill off Pando, however, Searcher embarks on a quest to find the source of the problem.
His journey deep underground – Pando, we’re informed, is one giant lifeform with a single root – becomes a family affair when adventurous Ethan stows away to accompany his dad and worried Meridian, in turn, arrives in pursuit of Ethan. Along the way, Searcher is also reunited with his long-lost explorer father Jaeger (voice of Dennis Quaid).
The screenplay’s basic theme is that of clan unity triumphing over intergenerational tensions. Science-loving homebody Searcher was already alienated from bluff, wanderlust-driven Jaeger before the latter disappeared.
Now he fears that Ethan will take after his larger-than-life grandfather rather than his pa.
All that is acceptable enough, if hardly original. But this fundamental message gets tangled up with misguided contemporary values, most glaringly in the subplot that sees Ethan falling for a male friend, Diazo (voice of Jonathan Melo). As for the screenplay’s treatment of the need for ecological responsibility, it’s rammed home with awkward insistence.
Inappropriate for the kids who might find its busy visuals diverting, “Strange World” is too feeble to make much of an impression on their elders. Instead, adult viewers will likely come away from the picture indifferent to its aesthetics and annoyed by its agenda.
Look for: A positive depiction of marriage and parenting.
Look out for: A benignly viewed underage same-sex relationship and characters in peril.
The Catholic Moviegoer’s guidance is M – suitable for mature viewers. The Motion Picture Association rating is PG – parental guidance suggested. Some material may not be suitable for children.
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