This image released by Twentieth Century Fox shows a scene from the animated film, “Ferdinand.” (Twentieth Century Fox via AP)

This image released by Twentieth Century Fox shows a scene from the animated film, “Ferdinand.” (Twentieth Century Fox via AP)

Reeling it in: ‘Ferdinand’: The book was better

“Ferdinand”

Twentieth Century Fox

1 hour, 48 minutes

It’s always a little dangerous to indulge in a large scale adaptation of something you loved as a child. I loved pixie sticks when I was little, but I seriously doubt that a three-course meal based around colorful powdered sugar would be in any way successful.

The same holds true for this week’s animated extravaganza “Ferdinand,” a big-screen retelling of the classic children’s book by Munro Leaf and Robert Lawson. The book is a simple, sweet story about a bull in Spain who would rather sit and smell the flowers than win glory in the bullfights. And that’s it. The story is as much about the beautiful black and white illustrations as it is about any kind of complicated plot.

“Ferdinand,” the movie, is about a bull that doesn’t want to fight, but it’s more about the ability to crassly market an entire toy shelf of unnecessary characters and fill out a ten-minute story with two hours of pointless and ill-advised adventures.

Granted, I understand the impulse. “Ferdinand” is a beloved tale, and who wouldn’t want more? This simply isn’t a property that benefits from expansion. “The Princess Bride,” many would argue, is a perfect movie. Would it benefit from being expanded into a trilogy of effects-heavy epic three hour films? Of course not. Which is where the crass part comes in. Art designed for children seems to be fair game for exploitation, as if the idea that you could make toys based on a story is justification enough.

The film chooses to expand the life of the titular bull, as if it’s important that we have a backstory that explains why he likes to sniff flowers instead of fight. As a calf at a bull-fighting academy, of sorts, Ferdinand loses his father and earns the ire of his more aggressive classmates. In terror, he flees, hopping a freight train and eventually falling in a ravine miles away, where he is found by a kindly farmer who takes him in.

The farmer’s daughter falls immediately in love with the gentle calf and they become the best of friends. Over the next couple of years, Ferdinand lives in bucolic bliss, as depicted by a clever pop-music montage. Sorry. That’s the opposite of clever.

Eventually, of course, Ferdinand grows extremely large and powerful, too powerful to go to the flower festival where the townsfolk would be unable to accept his destructive clumsiness, although it’s worth mentioning that the farmer is fine with the bull sleeping in bed with his daughter like he’s a golden retriever or something. But fine — this isn’t reality.

Naturally, after a series of mishaps, Ferdinand is shipped back to the bull fighting ranch where he was born. There he finds his old buddies, still angry, along with a few new characters to boot. Ferdinand is now the biggest and the strongest of the herd, so when the world’s greatest bullfighter comes calling, looking for the ultimate opponent to end his career on, our hero is the natural choice.

But, as mentioned, Ferdinand doesn’t like to fight. There’s a lot more plot, involving escapes, car chases, and slaughterhouses (wait — I thought this wasn’t reality. Yeesh.) but suffice it to say, it all ends in the ring.

Can you guess the outcome? At this point, nearly two hours in, you could have read the book ten times over. Actually, that’s a much better use of your time.

Before I come off sounding too grumpy, I should mention that both my 8- and 10-year-olds loved the film, as did their 81-year-old grandmother. That’s a pretty wide range for marketers to work with, so I guess maybe it’s just not a movie for me. There are some funny parts and I did find myself laughing out loud from time to time. I think I would have enjoyed the film more as isolated short scenes instead of an entire film that ends up mining one of my favorite books for parts.

One of my biggest problems with the film is that I kept comparing it to the last big Latino-themed film I saw, “Coco.” “Coco” is beautiful and sweet, but more importantly, feels entirely authentic. “Ferdinand” takes place in Spain, and surrounds a particularly Spanish activity, but feels no more authentically Spanish than does Taco Bell feel like Mexican food. I noticed a few hispanic names in the credits, but the leads were voiced by a white ex-wrestler, John Cene, a white ex-football player, Peyton Manning, as well a black guy, Anthony Anderson, an Italian guy, Bobby Cannavale, and a white comedienne, Kate McKinnon. I know this has always been the norm, but things are changing and right now “Ferdinand” feels like a throwback, and not in a good way.

Suffice it to say that I didn’t enjoy this film very much. Your kids will probably like the movie, but considering that there is so much quality kid’s entertainment out there, I see no need to throw this poorly made film into the mix. Go see “Coco” again.

Grade: C-

“Ferdinand” is rated PG for mild rude humor and mild cartoon violence. And be prepared to talk about why bulls that fail end up in the slaughterhouse. That’ll be fun.

Chris Jenness is an art teacher, freelance graphic designer, artist and movie buff who lives in Nikiski.

More in Life

This takeout favorite is deceptively easy and comes together faster than it can be delivered. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
A sweet and sour dinner for 3

I really wanted some sweet and sour takeout this weekend, but all my favorite restaurants are far outside of delivery range.

File
Christ is risen — He is risen, indeed!

This proclamation celebrated on Easter, or Resurrection Sunday, is a defining call and response made by followers of Jesus.

Drew O’Brien explores the ruins of the Kings County Mining Company’s cabin near Skilak Lake, circa 1999, about a century after it was constructed alongside a then-unnamed stream. (Photo by Clark Fair)
Mary Penney and her 1898 Alaska adventure — Part 1

I have been chasing the facts of this adventure for 35 years.

The Seward Sleeper Sharks present during the 28th Annual Alaska Tsunami Bowl in the Seward High School Auditorium in Seward, Alaska, on Feb. 28, 2025. (Photo provided by Mica Van Buskirk)
Seward teams earn 2nd, 4th place at Alaska Tsunami Bowl

Seward students who competed this year were recognized Monday with a commending resolution by the Seward City Council.

These poached pears get their red tinge from a cranberry juice bath. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
A dessert to stimulate the senses

These crimson-stained cranberry poached pears offer a soft and grainy texture.

File
Minister’s Message: Palm Sunday — ‘Hosanna in the highest!’

The fact that Jesus came back to Jerusalem for Passover was an intentional decision of Jesus.

Cecil Miller took leave from Akron (Ohio) Police Department to join the U.S. Navy Seabees during World War II. When he returned to the force after his military service, he was featured in an October 1945 article in the Akron Beacon Journal.
The Man Called ‘Greasy’ — Part 2

Two distinct versions of Cecil “Greasy” Miller received the most publicity during his brief tenure on the southern Kenai Peninsula.

The cast of Seward High School Theatre Collective’s “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” rehearse on Thursday, April 3, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
‘A jaunt into a fantastical world’

Seward theater collective returns for second weekend of “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.”

“Octoparty,” by Kenai Alternative High School student Adelynn DeHoyos, and “Green Speckled Ocean,” by Soldotna High School Student Savannah Yeager are seen as part of the 34th Annual Visual Feast Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Juried Student Art Show during an opening reception at the Kenai Art Center in Kenai, Alaska, on Friday, April 4, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
‘Consume a bunch of art’

The 34th Annual Visual Feast showcases art by Kenai Peninsula Borough School District students.

Debbie Adams joins Kenai Mayor Brian Gabriel in cutting a ribbon during the grand opening of Debbie’s Bistro in its new location in the Kenai Municipal Airport in Kenai, Alaska, on Saturday, April 5, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Debbie’s Bistro opens in Kenai Municipal Airport

The menu features waffles, waffle pizzas and waffle sandwiches.

File
Minister’s Message: Unexpected joy

This seems to be the way of life, undeniable joy holding hands with unavoidable sorrow.

Photo courtesy of the Pratt Museum
During her brief time on the southern Kenai Peninsula, Dorothy Miller, wife of Cecil “Greasy” Miller, was a part of the Anchor Point Homemakers Club. Here, Dorothy (far left, standing) joins fellow area homemakers for a 1950 group shot. Sitting on the sled, in the red blouse, is Dorothy’s daughter, Evelyn, known as “Evie.”
The Man Called ‘Greasy’ — Part 1

There are several theories concerning the origin of Cecil Miller’s nickname “Greasy.”