THE MAGICIAN’S ELEPHANT: Hope Is Never Lost

Animation has a way of reaching deep into your soul, pulling out the inner child, and capturing the pure innocence it can encapsulate. When looking at the images promoting Wendy Roger‘s endearing adaptation of The Magician’s Elephant, there is a pure warmth that ruminates, a glistening from the eyes of its main character and elephant that draw you in. In an instant, from images alone, the film is irresistible. And by its conclusion, you will understand why.

The Magician’s Elephant, albeit predictable, is a heartwarming tale of the rediscovery of hope and family, all while pushing to defeat impossible odds. Touching on key concepts of animated films that have come before, The Magician’s Elephant culminates into a tale that is sure to entice viewers of all ages.

The Seeds of Hope

From its opening moments, the film feels well-constructed and planned out. It is aware of its predictability but attempts to circumvent expectations by initially breaking its linear structure of storytelling. As we watch a small boy with a fish leap into the air, the narrator (Natasia Demetriou) pauses the action, taking audiences back to garner a deeper understanding of the environment that now surrounds the young boy. There is a whimsical nature that the film takes on, leaning into the feeling of a forgotten fairytale, paralleling the forgotten magic of the village. As the narrator informs us, the town was once basking in light and magic, that is until the great war plunged the town into immense sadness, grief, and loss of hope permanently shutting out the sun within the town. As the film moves forward, the town remains frozen in the palace, joy, and hope tainted.

It is here that we are introduced to orphan Peter (Noah Jupe) and the soldier that raised him. In contrast to the town, Peter seems to encompass hope right from the very beginning. There is a snap to his step and a willingness to believe – to hope. This is exemplified when he meets a psychic (Natasia Demetriou), who is also our narrator, that tells him his sister is alive and to follow the elephant. And while at first he feels duped out of his money, the seed of hope has been planted and,  as the film proves, hope grows.

The Magician’s Elephant sports a wide array of characters, each designed to not only progress the narrative but to facilitate the growing expression of hope and promise. As Peter works to solve the three impossible tasks the King has given him in exchange for the elephant, the film works to give each of them depth and purpose. And while not always cohesive, it works well to execute its construction.

Many of the characters are given a moment of growth as well, which only adds to the culminating warmth the film instills in its audience. And while used sparsely, this menagerie of characters gives itself an extra layer of depth as some break the fourth wall, speaking directly to our audience. This is not a tale we are just watching, but rather a part of.

Conclusion:

The Magician’s Elephant may be billed as a children’s film, but there is plenty for children of all ages. There is a philosophical quandary about the dangerous nature of the word “hope” and the ability to believe in impossible things. Where it will be empowering for children, it will reach into the recesses of innocence of the inner child as well.

The Magician’s Elephant is heartwarming and pure. And while predictable to a fault, it is a film the whole family will enjoy.

The Magician’s Elephant will stream on Netflix on March 17, 2023!

Watch The Magician’s Elephant