What’s It About
A knight is framed for a crime he didn’t commit, and the only person who can help him prove his innocence is Nimona, a shape-shifting teen who might also be a monster he’s sworn to kill.
MOVIESinMO REVIEW
This film was highly hyped by Netflix, and for good reasons. The animation is great, the characters are wonderfully done, and the story is masterfully crafted around subjects that are not the easiest things to discuss in a room of closed-minded people. The main characters are an orphan and a female misfit. The orphan, Ballister Boldheart, was given the chance to be a knight of The Institution by a queen with visions of change. The traditional way was always by bloodline only. The female misfit was Nimona, a shape-shifting teenager determined to be Ballister’s sidekick. The story is solid even though it rushes through a lot at the beginning. That’s forgiven when you realize the main purpose and underlying sub-story involved in making this movie what it is. The plot seems simple at first, as Ballister is framed for murder. This is what prompts Nimona to meet him and become his partner in crime. Up to this point, the movie was all about Ballister’s life and The Institution. Once Nimona becomes his unwilling sidekick, this film switches gears and attempts to teach and nurture without being preachy or condescending to anyone’s beliefs. Yes, this film has plenty of clues as to what they’re saying or who the subject matter is supposed to be. Ballister, The Institution, and Nimona are allegories representing religion in some form or fashion. Much like Animal Farm represents the Russian Revolution, or The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe represents the story of Jesus, Nimona takes on several battles of the church. These include the lengths followers will go to protect their beliefs, how easy it is to bastardize the truth and twist it into your personal fabricated truths, racism, and acceptance of others regardless of their sexual or non-sexual preferences. But as I stated earlier, open-minded people will appreciate the messages and will be able to empathize with the main characters, especially when Ballister’s last words to Nimona have helped heal a generation.
OUR RATING – A GLORETH BE PRAISED 9