With all the love surrounding Star Wars: The Last Jedi and Jumanji, Ferdinand may have slipped through the cracks to most moviegoers. Ferdinand is based on the children’s book “The Story Ferdinand.” The main reason I know about this book, my mom told me she would read it to me as a bedtime story.
WWE star John Cena stars as the voice Ferdinand the Bull and it has a pretty solid supporting cast. You may not know all them, but you will recognize the voices Anthony Anderson and Gabriel Iglesias. The rest the cast is up and comers whose faces you know but may not know their names. Don’t worry in due time you will. More to follow on the cast, but here’s your 5 reasons why you should take a chance and buy Ferdinand for you and the family’s next night in.
Reason 1: John Cena
John Cena is doing his best to capitalize on his WWE success much like Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson did with his success. Now, much like Johnson, Cena is still looking to find his footing and breakthrough into big time Hollywood. I am starting to think he is getting closer and closer to that breakthrough. Quality family movies are always the best start. This one could be the segway John Cena needs to get to that next level stardom outside the squared circle. Give this one a shot and you won’t be disappointed.
Reason 2: Family Fun
As I said earlier in the beginning, my mom would read me this story as a kid. Although I may not have remembered the story completely, this one was great to be able to share with my kids. I enjoyed all this one just for the simple fact it wasn’t something I had to worry about the humor or content. Some family films make sure to throw some adult humor in there to please the adults who are actually watching the movie (like Shrek). Trust me, I’m not knocking it, in fact I do encourage it, but it was slightly refreshing to be able to laugh at the same jokes intended for the kids as well as the parents.
Reason 3: Special Features
The special features have some pretty silly moments. With the special features you get some health tips from John Cena, some insight to how the animators creators certain scenes. My daughter though, granted she’s 10 so cut me some slack, was all about the Nick Jonas music video “Home.” I was more so intrigued with how the dancers helped create the battle dance scene with the bulls and the horses. After you finish watching the movie, give some these feature a look. Guarantee the kids will love them.
Reason 4: Dope Animation
This can be seen as a redundant reason since because most these animated films are top the line. This one can be thrown into the realm WOW! I was really taken by how well this one played out and was visually stunning. The best part is, it adds to the story. Ferdinand is trying to get home, and he is walking through towns and farms and it feels like each section adds its own flavor to the story. Check it out and see what I mean.
Reason 5: Surprise Appearance
I wasn’t aware this, but I am sure you noticed Peyton Manning as the voice Guapo. This is the first time I can think for Peyton Manning doing a voice appearance in a cartoon. I am a big Peyton Manning fan, simply because he strikes me as just another guy, who was just blessed with a laser rocket arm. I think this was his chance to have some fun in an animated movie, much like the Saturday Night Live fun he had making his a kid stand in a port-a-potty for dropping a pass. Look it up, hilarious.
It may not have been the biggest movie to release this past Christmas, but it was definitely worth the price admission. I know my children loved this one as much as I did watching it with them. At the end the day Ferdinand is a great family movie and if you only see it once, I understand, but if your kids like it as much as mine you will be watching it A LOT!