In the cinematic realm of 2023, where storytelling for kids reached new heights, My Kolkata brings you a delightful selection of films that not only entertained but also brought depth and nuance. So, grab your favourite snacks and get ready for a Children’s Day movie marathon.
The Super Mario Bros. Movie
If you’ve been born anytime after 1981, chances are that you’ve spent at least a few hundred hours of your life jumping on tortoise shells, eating height-altering mushrooms and rescuing princesses. For many, Super Mario Bros was the first video game they ever played, and the game’s cult following makes it no surprise that its screen adaptation became the second-highest grossing film of the year. An origin story for Mario and Luigi, the film explores how the Italian-American brothers were transported into a battle between the Mushroom Kingdom and the Kooplas, all while trying to run an innocent plumbing business. The adorable animation made the whole thing so much better!
Elemental
Despite its box office performance, Elemental stands out as a heart-warming tale of love transcending differences. This visually stunning film introduces Ember, the feisty fire element, and Wade, the chilled-out water element. Their chemistry brews as they discover an inexplicable attraction despite their elemental disparities. Beyond the surface, Elemental weaves powerful subtexts around immigration and emotional baggage, making it a meaningful watch.
Barbie
Who would’ve thought that a movie based on a doll would earn over 1.4 billion dollars? But Barbie wasn’t just a film. The Greta Gerwig-directorial became a cultural phenomenon, asking larger questions about feminism and existentialism, while parodying its own capitalist roots. Set in the matriarchal Barbieland, inhabited by different types of Barbies and Kens, the film furthered the conversation around the beauty standards initially set by the dolls, while also commenting on the gender roles cemented by society for both men and women. Even if you aren’t interested in the larger themes of the film, watch it for its celebration of everything Pink!
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
In 2018, Into the Spider-Verse gifted us a breath of fresh air in the Spider-Man universe. The film not only introduced Miles Morales’ wall-crawler rendition to popular culture in unprecedented ways but also shaped a narrative that comics had never ventured into before. Its 2023 sequel expanded on this universe, weaving a compelling tale around a multiverse teeming with Spider-People and grounding it in the heartfelt struggles of a teenager striving to meet parental expectations.
Across the Spider-Verse not only preserved the character’s innocence but also elevated the stakes, introducing Spider-Man 2099 (Oscar Isaac) as the formidable antagonist, driven by a valid motivation. Amidst the excitement of the ongoing ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, it’s hard not to draw parallels between Indian opener Shubman Gill and the wall-crawler, especially after his impactful portrayal as Pavitr Prabhakar in the Hindi dub of the film.
The animators showcased their brilliance by crafting distinct art styles for each universe, with Mumbattan emerging as a clear favourite. Brace yourself during the climax — the cliffhanger might just leave you on the edge of your seat, ready to unravel the next chapter.
The Magician's Elephant
The Magician’s Elephant is an animated fantasy adventure film streaming on Netflix based on the novel of the same name by Kate DiCamillo released in 2009. Orphaned, little Peter sets out in search of his missing sister, Adele, and asks a fortune teller if she is alive. He then asks him to find a magician with an elephant who can only help him reunite with his sister. In his journey he meets various characters and comes across various challenges. But could he find his sister and grow up happily together? Get your popcorn and find out! The dubbing of the film features Noah Jupe, Mandy Patinkin, Natasia Demetriou, Benedict Wong, Miranda Richardson and Aasif Mandvi. Directed by Wendy Rogers and written by Martin Hynes, this movie is a great watch suitable for kids of all ages (even kids at heart).
Peter Pan and Wendy
Who doesn't know about the adventures of Peter Pan? But it is always a pleasure to watch your favourite book characters come alive on screen. This movie released in 2023, is a Peter Pan and Wendy live-action adaptation of the story by J.M. Barrie. Directed by David Lowery, it was released on Disney+ Hotstar in April 2023. The film follows the adventures of Peter Pan, the boy who lives in Neverland and refuses to grow up, and Wendy Darling, a girl who dreams to achieve things more than her mundane life has to offer. Together with Wendy’s brothers and the Lost Boys, the duo explore the magical island of Neverland. They encounter pirates, fairies, mermaids, and a fearsome crocodile. The film casts Alexander Molony in the role of Peter Pan, Ever Anderson as Wendy Darling, Jude Law as Captain Hook, and Yara Shahidi as Tinker Bell. Embark into the magical world of Peter Pan this Children’s Day!
The Little Mermaid
Dive back into the depth of the sea with Ariel and back to the land. The classic fairytale, The Little Mermaid hit the theatres in May 2023 and now it's also streaming on Disney+ Hotstar . Ariel is a young mermaid, who dreams of exploring the human world but for that she needs legs! Ursula, the wicked sea witch offers her an opportunity to turn into a human but can Ariel face the complexities of the human world? With stunning visuals and captivating undersea landscapes, the movie will take you on a whirlwind adventure with the innocent mermaid with high ambitions. The movie features Halle Bailey as Ariel.
Jongole Mitin Mashi
Released in October 2023, starring Koel Mallick, Jongole Mitin Mashi is a sequel to the 2019 detective thriller Mitin Mashi in Bengali. The movies are based on the detective stories by Suchitra Bhattacharya. Tollywood actress Koel Mallick plays Pragyaparamita ‘Mitin’ Mukherjee, who is a wildlife conservationist and a detective. The story narrates the adventures of Mitin’s mission to stop a gang of poachers who are killing wild elephants in the Saranda forest. Directed by Arindam Sil and produced by Camellia Productions, Jongole Mitin Mashi is being screened at movie halls in Kolkata like INOX, South City Mall and PVR Diamond Plaza.
