When it comes to family movies, there is so much to choose from. From the old timeless animated flicks to timeless live-action flicks like The NeverEnding Story. But what new movies might sit in that space for newer kids that don’t have 90s nostalgia goggles? Well, The Legend of Ochi is one that is making a good case for being a child’s future classic.
The Legend of Ochi takes us to an island in the Black Sea where there is a small village. This village goes out on hunts for a terrifying creature called the Ochi. Yuri sneaks along with her dad on one of these hunts. She comes across a baby Ochi that is caught in a trap and decides to help it out. She soon has to run away from home to save it and goes on an adventure.
For the most part, you know where this story is going. I don’t have to spoil it for you to know how the story will end. What is interesting about this one is the world that has been built. This mysterious species and the fear it instills in the population are interesting. Yuri discovers a lot about her own family history and learns a lot more about the Ochi as she goes. Acting varies from excellent to … well, less than interesting. There are also a lot of moments throughout the movie where scenes can drag a lot longer than they needed to.
One of the things that’s truly impressive is the visual effects. The Ochi are animatronics and puppets and look far too good. There is the classic charming movement that puppets bring, but in a lot of scenes the movement seems way too awesome for what I always assumed was possible. The effects are awesome, and I was consistently impressed.
The Legend of Ochi isn’t going to be my next big favourite but it’s a fun romp, with some cool ideas and an interesting world. This definitely feels like one of those family flicks I will return to with the kids regularly on Blu-ray. Plus Willem Dafoe is always a treat to watch.
