The Legend of Ochi: A Play On A Classic Family Adventure
Here’s why we think the family should watch The Legend of Ochi
The biggest complaint we parents have about kids’ movies is that they’re overstimulating. Bright colors, extremely fast talking, a fast-paced story — that’s too much stimulation for an hour movie. The opposite is what endeared us to The Legend of Ochi; although the plotline was simple, it made perfect use of contemporary animation technology without making it overstimulating for the family or kids. In a way, it’s a bit of a nostalgia trip for some parents because it does have a similar vibe to E.T.
What else is there to love about The Legend of Ochi? Here’s what we think about the indie film!
A simple, linear plot that any kid could understand
Older viewers may find the plot too simple, but we’d like to believe that’s one of its charms. The story is simple; it starts with a young girl named Yuri who goes hunting for Ochi with her dad, who’s also training a group of young boys to do the same. Then, it’s only a matter of time before she faces a baby Ochi (which we think looks a bit like a tarsier!) and makes the opposite decision: she learns about the creature instead. Unlike other movies that follow the same premise, she already has a rebellious streak and skips the whole “make my parent happy” part, which we think is quite refreshing. It reminds us that some pursuits, especially if it’s something our heart wants, are worth learning about.
Her curiosity for the Ochi, however, appears to be something she inherited — a common trope in family movies. Her mother studies the Ochi, but Yuri takes it a step further by actually making the trip to return the baby to its home.
A treat for animators or kids who love the arts
Despite it being a live-action movie, there was a lot of CGI involved, and it was clean. Earthy colors and Ochi’s smooth movements will be a treat for animators and any kids who dream of being animators. The Legend of Ochi is how most animators start. If they don’t join one of those big production studios, then they build one of their own. From there, the majority of the budget would be devoted to the tech used to animate the creatures. So, if our kids are showing any interest in animating, get ready to invest in a good desktop. Most 3D art will take custom-made desktops that are designed to handle the weight of processing the models and the animations.
But as viewers, we love that they stuck to muted and more earthy colors. No fancy magic or anything. Perhaps the wildest part of the movie is when the forest catches fire.
The Legend of Ochi: A Contemporary Take On A Classic Plot
As an indie film, The Legend of Ochi performs. It’s clear a lot of love was put into the animations, especially in the Ochi. As for the plot, it’s light and easy to digest, which makes it kid-friendly. For parents, watching the movie may feel more like a nostalgia trip. Yuri and Ochi’s bond may remind us of Elliot and E.T. or Hiccup and Toothless, which is what gives the movie its charm. Is it worth the watch? For the kids, it definitely is.
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