Ernest and Celestine: A Trip to Gibberitia

This sweet, insightful sequel delights with its memorable animation, lovable main characters, and meaningful messages. This family-friendly tale, based on French picture books by author Gabrielle Vincents, is a wonderful introduction to subtitled cinema for younger moviegoers, especially if they're familiar with the original movie. The "odd couple" besties of Ernest and Celestine: A Trip to Gibberitia are so charming and funny (and, in Ernest's case, grumpy) that kids will delight in their latest adventure, even if they don't pick up on all the sociopolitical themes about artistic suppression, government control, censorship, and injustice. Even young kids will understand that monotonous music is boring and will root for Ernest and the mysterious music resistance fighter who are trying to convince the judges to reconsider the law. And although this story focuses more on Ernest and his homeland, Celestine is still right there, encouraging him and immersing herself in the fight to bring back the music.

The movie's lovely hand-drawn animation gives Gibberitia an old-world Eurocentric feel, including the slightly unsettling places like the enormous gavel-in-hand design of the courthouse or the prison. The animation is simple but memorable, with vibrant landscape shots of the mountains, cobblestone alleyways, and bear villagers waiting for cable cars and rooting for (or against) musicians. Another reason the movie is such a joy to watch is that it's short and sweet. So many family movies approach the two-hour mark, but there's something special about a film that can tell a good story in only 80 minutes. No drawn-out pacing issues to get through here, just a lovely film that explores deep, universal themes without pandering to its audience.