Entertainment

Ferdinand a gentle 'I'm a lover, not a fighter' story that will suit younger kids

Undated film still handout from Ferdinand. Pictured: Ferdinand (voiced by John Cena) and Nina (Katie Silverman). See PA Feature FILM Reviews. Picture credit should read: PA Photo/Blue Sky Studios/Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation. WARNING: This picture must only be used to accompany PA Feature FILM Reviews.
Undated film still handout from Ferdinand. Pictured: Ferdinand (voiced by John Cena) and Nina (Katie Silverman). See PA Feature FILM Reviews. Picture credit should read: PA Photo/Blue Sky Studios/Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation. WARNING: This pictu Undated film still handout from Ferdinand. Pictured: Ferdinand (voiced by John Cena) and Nina (Katie Silverman). See PA Feature FILM Reviews. Picture credit should read: PA Photo/Blue Sky Studios/Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation. WARNING: This picture must only be used to accompany PA Feature FILM Reviews.

BAD things happen to inherently good computer-animated characters. "It's a dog-eat-dog, bull-fight-bull, everybody-hate-goat world," laments one of the quirky, four-legged protagonists in director Carlos Saldanha's joyful coming-of-age story.

Based on the children's book The Story Of Ferdinand penned by Munro Leaf and illustrated by Robert Lawson, this entertaining if undemanding journey of self-discovery centres on a Spanish fighting bull, who prefers to smell the roses rather than stomp on them.

He refutes the laws of nature, which say he is destined to lock horns with a matador in the ring, and wants to be judged by the generosity in his heart not the potentially lethal power of his hooves.

Alas, creatures great and small are reluctant to see past his muscular physique.

"Where do you think the word 'bully' comes from?" chirps one terrified hedgehog.

Working from a linear script that repeatedly preaches open-mindedness and acceptance over prejudice and preconception, Ferdinand spins an engaging yarn that will happily stampede the affections of younger audiences.

Teenagers and parents may prove harder to wrangle in the absence of sophisticated humour and heart-tugging emotion to elevate the film into the bull pen of modern classics.

Ferdinand (voiced by John Cena) is raised at the Casa Del Toro alongside his hulking father Raf (Jeremy Sisto), who is selected to fight in the ring.

"I have to go, it's what every bull dreams of," beams the chest-puffing patriarch. "Is it OK if it's not my dream?" nervously responds nature-loving Ferdinand.

When Raf fails to return, grief-stricken Ferdinand escapes his stable and runs away.

He is eventually adopted as an oversized pet by a girl called Nina (Katie Silverman) and her family.

During a visit to the local market, Ferdinand accidentally sits on a bee. A sharp sting causes him to rear up and locals flee in terror.

Police deem Ferdinand a public menace and, in a cruel twist of fate, he is returned to the Casa Del Toro, where he reunited with fellow bulls Valiente (Bobby Cannavale), Guapo (Peyton Manning) and Bones (Anthony Anderson), and a new addition, Angus (David Tennant).

An old goat called Lupe (Kate MacKinnon) is enlisted as Ferdinand's trainer so he is fit to face legendary matador El Primero (Miguel Angel Silvestre).

Ferdinand unfolds at a trot rather than a gallop, complemented by colourful visuals and lively vocal performances.

MacKinnon sinks her teeth into the film's broadly comic role, chewing on amusing one-liners while Cena plays his misunderstood central character for pathos.

Action set pieces are orchestrated with assurance and minimum on-screen violence.

FERDINAND (U, 106 mins) Animation/Drama/Comedy/Action. Featuring the voices of John Cena, Kate MacKinnon, Bobby Cannavale, David Tennant, Anthony Anderson, Peyton Manning, Katie Silverman, Miguel Angel Silvestre, Jeremy Sisto. Director: Carlos Saldanha

RATING: 6/10