Zog and the Flying Doctors

source: Zog and the Flying Doctors

Essentially Zog 2, the direct continuation from the first movie/book. Also accurately adapted, but with a bit of additional depth added that the first movie didn't have. In order to avoid spoilers, the premise is effectily: A stubborn old fool who'd rather choose death than to believe in someone who he should be holding dear. Zog & co. Solve a series of problems around the unnamed, unexplored world. These characters hardly speak. Their voices are fine, especially if you consider the thousands of voices in our reality. A dragon and a knight having a fight seems hardly a problem, if anything, a knight is finally being a knight, and the dragon is... well, did you not see the first Zog and it's opening few minutes with what would be the idea of a dragon chomping a human in half? Both movies have a pleasant musical score and theme. Visually, it's the same, there's no loss. I've seen the most Karen of complaints, though. We've got "too much fighting", someone didn't like the unicorn's horn operation (it's a unicorn, not a bicorn), and other such. I can find myself rewatching both Zog stories in the future, simply because it's pleasant. I just wish they were a bit longer. Despite the title, it simply doesn't have enough Zog in it, while the first movie ended with the similar problem, not enough Zog, the title character. Still, we have to remember it was essentially done for free, a TV film for the holidays.

Zog is a dragon. He flies Princess Pearl and Knight Gadabout around to treat the creatures of the realm. During a storm, Pearl decides to seek shelter with her uncle, The King. His men run off Zog and Gadabout. Pearl is locked up in her hated princess life. When the King falls ill, Pearl comes up with the cure. Zog and Gadabout collect the ingredients from all their friends. This is an animated short adapted from a children's book. It's a little weird and good fun. It's cute. The start is a bit random, but there is a reason for that. I don't know where this franchise is going. Obviously, I've never read the books. It's good.

Zog and the Flying Doctors is another book from Julia Donaldson given the animated treatment. Princess Pearl is a doctor who decides to forsake royal duties and look after the needs of the animals. She, Zog and Sir Gadabout fly about seek out animals in distress. A mermaid who has been sunburnt, a lion who has the flu and a unicorn with an extra horn. They are all dealt with by the trio. However Princess Pearl's uncle, also a king, believes that a princess has no reason to be a doctor. He locks her up in the tower and give her more girly things to do. Then the king falls ill and turns orange. All the doctors in the kingdom cannot cure him but the princess comes up with a remedy. Another charming animation for all the family. It is a fairly simple story and is well animated. There is some subtext which plays around with the fairy tale tropes.

A story as warm as it can be, as heartfelt as it should be, as meaningful as it proves to be... Enjoyed very much by both young and old!

The first Zog film was excellent. Granted, the Zog book itself was better, but Zog & The Flyikg Doctors film is pretty bad. The voices are poorly selected (the Lion, the King, the Mermaid, the Unicorn - they all just don't sit quite right). The narration by Lenny Henry is awful (his "bang, crash, thumps" for example, have zero emphasis - he sounds bored like he just wants to get paid and go home). There is too much fighting - they have embellished on the story and added in fight scenes that feel out of place, and not ideal for watching with a toddler. All in all, pretty poor. Stick with the original - the story, and the execution of the film, are leagues above this.

Are you ready to embrace the magic of helping people around you? Well if so, the short film Zog and the Flying Doctors is the film for you. Be ready to be immersed in this heartwarming short film that will make you smile and laugh. Zog does carry doctors, but he also carries lots of comedic moments that will make you laugh hysterically. The storyline follows a young woman named Pearl (Patsy Ferran) who wants to be a doctor and help everyone in the world. There is one problem; she is a princess! She doesn't want to be a princess, but is obligated by her father (Rob Brydon). Pearl goes on a life changing journey learning about herself and her passions. The animation style in this film is exquisite. The background scenery is particularly great and really brings this fairytale to life. The animation department really checked all the boxes when it comes to the background and character design. This is an outstanding film for younger viewers. The entire plotline supports the idea of helping others and teaches many morals. The main moral is the idea that you can be anything! Don't let anyone hold you back. Follow your dreams. Zog and the Flying Doctors truly is a magic experience showing off the beauty of animation and heartwarming lessons. I give Zog and the Flying Doctors 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 2 to 8. This was definitely a highlight of the New York International Children's Film Festival. Reviewed by Jude A., KIDS FIRST!

Zog and the Flying Doctors