Where is the go-to place for the best in animation today?
The easy answer is Disney. They have Disney Animation which is having a bit of a resurgence over the past 10 years as well as Pixar which is always delivering quality films. Dreamworks will always have a big winner now and then. Two of the biggest rising stars in the industry are Laika (for the amazing stop motion work) and Cartoon Saloon (still providing beautiful hand-drawn animation). Apple has even gotten into the game by distributing Cartoon Saloon’s latest with Wolfwalkers. But they are back at it again but this time working with Skydance to deliver Luck.
What kind of magic does director Peggy Holmes deliver with this new fantasy adventure?
Sam is an unlucky young woman who must find a lucky coin to help a young orphan girl get adopted (which Sam never was). But when she follows a talking black cat into a portal, she finds her way to the source of all the luck in the world. There are dragons, leprechauns, bunnies, and even unicorns. The film has a decent dosage of heart and soul. Holmes, along with a charming and vibrant score, offers up a wondrous new fantasy world. The animation is high quality and brings plenty of life to this story.
How about the story at the center of this fantasy world?
The whole plot is centered around finding a lucky coin and unfortunately, at times it just feels like a string of checkpoints thrown together. There are also times when the film feels stretched a bit (the film shorts for 105-minutes when it probably could have succeeded with 90-minutes). There are some random moments as well, like a dance number involving Sam and some bunnies (Holmes’ background is in choreography which might shed some light). But the characters are generally a fun bunch, and the pairing of Sam and Bob (the black cat) is endearing. The messaging is familiar but still meaningful (focusing on that there will always be ups and downs and accepting that as a part of life). The emotions at the core of the story also work as we want Sam to get the coin to help her young friend.
Do the voice actors match the magic of this crazy world?
Sam is brought to life by a lively and endearing performance from Eva Noblezada (whose breakout role in Yellow Rose has certainly paid off). Simon Pegg offers up a fun and Scottish turn as Bob who brings much of the humor (outside of some visual and physical comedy). Whoopi Goldberg and Jane Fonda offer up some solid supporting turns but there are a few other smaller names who shine. Colin O’Donoghue is a sweet and charming presence as a leprechaun and Flula Borg is a delight as Jerry the Unicorn.
Does Luck offer up a compelling experience that will lead to a big win for Apple TV+?
Sam and Bob have delighted in adventure making this a fun ride.
Tweet
The story and themes are familiar, but the world-building is impressive. This is a world worth exploring and a film that the whole family can enjoy.
