December 17, 2008

Fantasy ‘Delgo’ will endear itself to older children

By John Mulderig, Catholic News Service

NEW YORK (CNS)—Although fantasy, the well-meaning but only average animated children’s parable “Delgo” (Freestyle) begins like a ponderous history lesson, as a narrator offers an extensive description of bygone events in its mythical setting, a country called Jhamora.

When the natural resources of their own native land became scarce, the Nohrin people—winged creatures who otherwise resemble human beings—went in search of a new home and were welcomed to Jhamora by its original inhabitants, the Lockni, an earthbound race who appear part-human, part-reptile. But the Nohrin later attacked the Lockni, and came to dominate them.

A decade or so later, with talk of renewed war in the air, it hardly seems the ideal moment for a romance between headstrong Lockni teenager Delgo (voice of Freddie Prinze Jr.) and Nohrin Princess Kyla (voice of Jennifer Love Hewitt). Yet Delgo’s love not only cleanses him of prejudice, it launches the formerly aggressive soldier-in-training on a quest to secure peace.

Though neither the Nohrin king, Zahn (voice of Lou Gossett Jr.), nor the Lockni leader, Marley (voice of Michael Clarke Duncan), wants a clash, Zahn’s evil sister Sedessa (voice of the late Anne Bancroft), is scheming to inflame public opinion, hoping hostilities will enable her to replace her brother on the throne.

To thwart Sedessa Delgo enlists the help of his bumbling best friend, Filo (voice of Chris Kattan), and fearless Nohrin general Bogardus (voice of Val Kilmer), whose career has been compromised by his weakness for gambling.

Though Delgo’s martial education under Marley has a quasi-New Age, quasi-Zen Buddhist quality—viewers of a certain age will be waiting for Marley to address his pupil as “little grasshopper”—values in general are strongly Judeo-Christian. Co-writers (with Scott Biear) and directors Marc F. Adler and Jason F. Maurer’s Romeo-and-Juliet tale exalts peace, racial and ethnic harmony, and the power of mercy to break a cycle of hatred.

Seriously objectionable material is entirely absent, except for some brief scatological humor, and the violence of the battle sequences is of the bloodless fantasy kind.
These moral strengths help to compensate for special effects well behind the vanguard—the film has been in the works for 10 years—and a sometimes unimpressive script, with jokes falling short almost as often as they hit home. Performances are mostly standard as well, though Bancroft handles her Wicked Witch-type role with predictable elan and Eric Idle is a treat as her malaprop-prone servant, Spig.

While it may be too intense for the youngest children, “Delgo” will likely endear itself to their older siblings, while parents will be pleased by messages of forbearance and forgiveness.

The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is A-I—general patronage. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG—parental guidance suggested. Some material may not be suitable for children.

John Mulderig is on the staff of the Office for Film & Broadcasting of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. More reviews are available online at usccb.org/movies.