Introducing an adorable mouse named Pattie. For a long time, she has dreamed of becoming a hero, thanks to many inspiring stories and adventures from great people such as Hercules. Pattie has always been incredibly inspired by the stories surrounding Jason and the Argonauts. Living in Yolcos, Greece, Pattie desires to one day have her own adventure, just like Jason, who is now an older man still sailing the seas.
However, whenever Pattie shares her dreams of adventure at sea, everyone around her laughs. Even her very own classroom teacher doubts her. When Pattie attempts to steal a ship to prove a point, she is stopped by her friend, Sam. Again, Pattie is told that only humans have great adventures, and it’s far too dangerous for a little mouse to travel by sea. But for Pattie, enough is enough; she will do anything to have one adventure in her lifetime. She even enters the town’s lottery. But when she wins the lottery, Sam lies to Pattie, telling her she didn’t win, scared she will get hurt. At the same time, the city of Yolcos is invaded by Zeus’s brother, who is not pleased about the city’s newest statue and demands it is changed by a particular time, or else he will return and destroy the city. Now, Pattie will rise, make a stand and go on an adventure, unlike anything she’s ever done before. Thankfully, she won’t be doing it alone. The great Jason, his original crew and the Argo ship will all seek a mighty trident to save the city from destruction.
Argonut is an animated children’s film with themes of family, history, and adventure. The film is packed with many characters who are introduced to Pattie’s journey. Some include gangster rats, ninja rats, peaceful sea creatures who live in harmony, a wacky dolphin, a baby octopus, and a giant mean robot. The film animation is pleasing, with solid moments of creativity, colour, and art design, making it fun for a younger audience. The musical score is surprising. Sure, various tracks complement the film’s tone and adventure vibes, but multiple moments also consist of rock music, an 80s vibe, and even the classic A-Team theme song. Most parents would find the soundtrack witty, random, and funny.
Thankfully, Argonuts carries some great messages and important themes suitable for all ages, particularly a younger crowd. Themes include Pattie standing up for dreams and not listening to others when she’s laughed at or believing she can achieve great things even though she is tiny. There’s also a vital aspect here about the power of forgiveness and how parents shouldn’t keep their kids trapped but let them live an adventure and fun-filled life. I must confess that the film is relatively hard to get through as an adult viewer, primarily due to its runtime, which felt longer than it was. Plenty of subplots and moments are optional for the core plot, and we all know these random side steps are for young eyes. This includes a few unexpected songs or viewers following other characters besides Pattie, who are sometimes on their own quests. The villains here are a weaker aspect, and I found some of the silliness that comes from characters like Zeus and his brother disappointing. Zeus, for example, comes across as a “surfer dude” who enjoys throwing lightning and thunder on Earth to create entertainment for himself. It’s a strange idea that sadly comes off as silly. Some audiences with young minds may find this concept, and others like it a little daunting, strange, and unfunny.
Overall, with solid animation and the smell of adventure surrounding the entire runtime, Argonuts is best enjoyed by a young audience. Thankfully, I must praise the movie for including relevant topics such as believing in yourself and ignoring others who say you can’t fulfil your long-life dreams. Parents, I’m sorry, but watching this is equivalent to swabbing the decks of the historic Argo ship, given the multiple subplots, childish moments, and weak/silly villains. There’s also a wave of many colourful and creative characters and creatures, which I’m confident will delight a young crowd. Argounuts (2022) is Available in Australian Cinemas from April 6th (March 30th – Queensland, Australia).
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