Winning, original animation (CGI, but with a hand-drawn feel), from the ND Stevenson graphic novel, a project that mutated thru a succession of studios (Blue Sky/Fox to Disney to Annapurna/NetFlix) rather like the suggestions of Gender Fluidity in its eponymous lead are transposed into what might be called Species Fluidity. Opening on epic, ancient prologue, the story jumps ahead to ‘modern times’ where Brave Knights continue to defend the world against evil forces. But the latest Knight’s Dubbing Ceremony goes horribly wrong when the first ever Commoner Knight is set up with a loaded sword that backfires on the Queen and ignites destruction of the entire world order. And, as an added character bonus, this world destroying knight not only a commoner, he’s also gay, partnered with a Golden Boy Knight also coming into his maturity. (Riz Ahmed exceptional as the commoner-knight.) A dystopian world greets this knight when he awakes in jail with a life sentence and artificial arm. Enter Nimona, a wild sprite with a gift for shape-shifting, anarchistic tendencies and superpowers. She’ll save the day and reveal the truth . . . if anyone’s left to hear it. Lots of fun to this wild ride, with Nimona, looking like a fetching gender-swapped Peter Pan (devilish grin/forward tack*), regularly transforming herself into whatever beast, monster or supernatural being is needed to fight off disbelievers. Including our knight’s ‘Ex.’ It can make her something of an ADHD pain in the neck, which may be why the opening double prologue is the best part of the film. Certainly the best designed. The rest, if a bit over-cooked, still better than recent Disney animation projects they didn’t drop.
DOUBLE-BILL: Easy to imagine Nimona taking on the lead in Disney’s underappreciated 1953 PETER PAN. A version of the James M. Barrie classic that does less dancing around the motivating sex/puberty issue than you might imagine.
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