The One and Only Ivan (2020)
Directed by Thea Sharrock
A gorilla named Ivan who’s living in a suburban shopping mall tries to piece together his past, with the help of other animals, as they hatch a plan to escape from captivity.
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5 films that influenced The One and Only Ivan
What critics say influenced The One and Only Ivan
The message itself isn’t wrong, but the film has nothing else to say beyond what we’ve heard in similar films dating back to 1966’s Born Free and echoed in Free Willy, Babe,and dozens more.
Diane Warren’s breathtaking song, “Free” sung by Charlie Puth, is the “Born Free” of this generation.
In different hands (say someone like baroque hitmaker Tim Burton or even the Babe and Happy Feet vein of George Miller), this content would thrust to silly adventures and loud stages that wouldn’t suit it.
There's a palpable melancholy running throughout, not to mention a poignant thread of Charlotte's Web woven into both the Applegate book and the adapted screenplay by Mike White (who also voices Frankie the seal and pops up in a brief cameo).
However, probably one of the most recognizable and entertaining voices in the movie is Danny DeVito (Dumbo) as Bob, the dog – a scruffy mutt who makes himself at home in Ivan's cage despite Mack's protests against it (in some ways, it reminds me a little of Charlotte who makes her home in Wilbur's pen in the book/movie Charlotte's Web).
Directed by Thea Sharrock (Me Before You) from a script by Mike White (School of Rock, Pitch Perfect 3), The One and Only Ivan is the latest original movie to hit the Disney+ streaming service, though it was originally intended for a theatrical release.
School of Rock writer Mike White and Me Before You director Thea Sharrock stick to an approachable and appropriate level of sentiment.
Like the book, Thea Sharrock’s (Me Before You) movie tells the tale from Ivan’s perspective, his bookending direct-to-camera addresses a source of real charm (thanks largely to some impressive CGI and Sam Rockwell’s soulful vocal performance).
Some impressive visual effects and a strong voice cast can’t do much to enliven or unify the movie from director Thea Sharrock (“ Me Before You ”) and veteran writer Mike White (“ School of Rock ,” “Chuck & Buck”).
Director Thea Sharrock ("Me Before You"), working from Mike White's (who also provides the voice of Frankie the seal) screenplay, aims squarely at the younger set and pretty much hits the target.
A moving true story is brought to the screen with copious artistic licence in this sweet and soppy Disney flick from director Thea Sharrock (Me Before You).
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The One and Only Ivan will likely be enough for less discriminating children, but if the older kiddos really want to see a great ape escape, seek out 1987’s Project X instead.