disappointment media
  • Home
  • Reviews
  • Interviews
  • The Snake Hole
  • About

SAMSAM -- A Cute Superhero Movie for the Little Ones

8/4/2020

0 Comments

 
Review by Sean Boelman
Picture
While cosmic superhero kids may not sound like the most appealing premise to adults, the French animated movie SamSam is shockingly cute. Short and sweet, children will love the bright colors and goofiness of the film while their adult companions will appreciate its uplifting message about happiness.

Based on the children’s book series and cartoon of the same name, the movie follows a young superhero who is struggling to fit in because he hasn’t gotten any powers yet, when he meets a new friend who has her own reasons that she stands out. For a movie aimed at such a young audience, the plot is pretty intricate and involved, combining arcs that would normally get an individual episode each.

The film is less than an hour and twenty minutes long, meaning that it moves insanely quickly. However, given the fact that the movie is aimed at a younger audience with a shorter attention span, the brief runtime works to its advantage. It’s a very hyper and energetic movie, and that is exactly what family audiences need right now.

And while there are plenty of movies that deal with the issue, this has to be one of the most effective anti-bullying films to come out in a while. Though some of the more complex ideas, like those addressing racism and coming of age, may be lost to the target audience, younger viewers will see (from multiple perspectives) the painful effects that exclusionism can have on their peers.
Picture
The two lead characters are both very compelling. It was an interesting choice for the filmmakers to have two heroes for the movie, but it works, especially given the fact that there is a male and a female lead. For a genre that is still so male-dominated at the moment, it is nice to see a kids’ movie break the mold like that.

Furthermore, the film also benefits from having some legitimately memorable antagonists. Although the villain can initially come off as a bit dark compared to the rest of the movie, it works quite well once more of a backstory is added. As a foil to the hero, he is actually nicely developed.

The animation of the film is bright and colorful, which will allow it to really stand out to the preschool and elementary age crowd. While it doesn’t look particularly comic-like, it has a unique visual style of its own that works well. The soundtrack is also filled with catchy, if generic pop tunes that will have kids dancing along with them.

SamSam is much cuter than it has any right to be. An energetic and often funny superhero movie for kids, this may not break any new ground narratively, but it addresses important themes in a satisfying way.

SamSam hits VOD on August 7.

​Rating: 3.5/5
               
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Archives

    May 2025
    April 2025
    March 2025
    February 2025
    January 2025
    December 2024
    November 2024
    October 2024
    July 2024
    June 2024
    May 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019

    Authors

    All
    Adam Donato
    Alan French
    Allison Brown
    Borja Izuzquiz
    Camden Ferrell
    Cole Groth
    Daniel Lima
    Dan Skip Allen
    Erin M. Brady
    Jonathan Berk
    Joseph Fayed
    Josh Batchelder
    Paris Jade
    Rafael Motamayor
    Sarah Williams
    Sean Boelman
    Tatiana Miranda

disappointment media

Dedicated to unique and diverse perspectives on cinema!
  • Home
  • Reviews
  • Interviews
  • The Snake Hole
  • About