Ferdinand

  • 13 Jan - 19 Jan, 2018
  • Farheen Jawaid
  • Reviews

When a hefty bull comes hurtling towards you, in normal circumstances it would be better to say your prayers while looking for cover. But the normal is different for Ferdinand; the big black bull would most probably be running towards the flower bed behind you or the bouquet you might be carrying. This sweetheart of a pacifist bull is out to smell all the pretty flowers – and nothing could be more pleasing to him than that.

Adapted from children’s book, The Story of Ferdinand written by Munro Leaf and illustrated by Robert Lawson (1936), an older adaption was made by Disney in short film format called Ferdinand the Bull (1938) – a delightful and a closer adaption. Blue Sky Studios are more flexible in their version as they bring the family touch to Ferdinand’s story.

The film starts in Ferdinand’s childhood, when he is a calm and timid little calf who is bullied by the other calves in their herd. Despite being bred for to be bull fighters Ferdinand’s father understands his son. Tragedy strikes Ferdinand when his father is chosen to go to a bullfight.

Ferdinand panics when his father doesn’t return and escapes from the farm. To his luck he is adopted by a flower farmer and his daughter. All grown up, Ferdinand (John Cena) lives peacefully with family, and becomes a bull of hulking size and that size causes a panic at a flower festival that leads him back to his old farm, with the bullies and the fate of bullfighting (also, look out for the three German horses, the most bizarre and funny characters in the movie).

Director Carlos Saldanha, fills the feature with visual gags and freshness. Ferdinand, is breezy and funny in the most unpretentious way. •

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