Latte and the Magic Waterstone is an animated children's film that was released in 2019. The movie follows the adventures of Latte, a young hedgehog, and her squirrel friend named Tjum. They embark on a journey to retrieve the magic waterstone, a powerful artifact that can save their forest from an evil bear named Bantur. Along the way, they encounter various obstacles and make new friends, including a frog named Muk and a hedgehog named Adolpho. The film is set in a beautifully animated forest, which adds to the visual appeal of the story. The animation is vibrant and engaging, capturing the attention of young viewers.
Latte and the Magic Waterstone – Review
The animated film Latte and the Magic Waterstone (2019) is based on a children’s book from 1956 by Finnish-Swedish author Sebastian Lybeck. The film is made in Germany and directed by Nina Wels and Regina Welker. The voices in the English version are among others Ashley Bornancin, Danny Fehsenfeld and Leslie L. Miller.
The original German version premiered in cinemas at the end of 2019. In July 2020 it had its exclusive English debut on Netflix.
The animation is vibrant and engaging, capturing the attention of young viewers. The characters are also well-developed and likable, making it easy for children to become invested in their journey. Additionally, the film incorporates important themes such as friendship, bravery, and the importance of working together.
Plot (Spoilers!)
The stubborn and impulsive hedgehog Latte is living an existence that she experiences as lonely in the forest among many other small furry animals, when they are suddenly threatened by a drought. The crow Korp shares the myth of a magic waterstone that needs to be retrieved from a bear king who had stolen it, and be put back into its place in the mountains. Only then will all animals have water to survive again. The myth is dismissed by the other animals but Latte and her anxious squirrel friend Tjum decide to go on the daunting journey to find the stone and save the forest.
They encounter some odd types on their travels, notably a mad frog lady, angry wolves and a loner hedgehog. Latte and Tjum fall out with each other and their paths first cross again in the bear castle. Tjum made friends with the bear prince and while the bear king is distracted by a dancing spectacle, they managed to get the stone. Running to the mountains, they need to trick the wolves and the bear who want the stone for themselves. Latte succeeds to place the stone where it belongs. All animals have water again and the bears and wolves accept their loss.
Back home, Latte and Tjum, who had been bullied and made fun of by the rest of the animals, are now accepted and loved by their community. They are the celebrated heroes who saved the forest and its inhabitants.
The film doesn’t hold a lot of surprises. It has all the elements of a successful children’s adventure story that is about growth and friendship. There are the odd types, the angry types, there is the danger and the happy ending with the heroes who saved the day. But underneath are still some themes that hold some depth and it is interesting that subjects like mental health, loneliness, bullying and community are quite strongly represented.
Latte and Tjum learn to overcome their fears and rely on each other's strengths to accomplish their mission. The movie also offers a positive message about the environment and the need to protect nature. By highlighting the destructive actions of the antagonist, Bantur, the film encourages children to be mindful of their actions and the impact they can have on the world around them. Overall, Latte and the Magic Waterstone is an entertaining and visually appealing animated film that delivers a positive message to young viewers. Its engaging storyline, well-developed characters, and important themes make it a worthwhile watch for children and families alike..
Reviews for "Escape into a world of fantasy with "Latte and the Magic Waterstone" book."
1. John - 2/5 - I was quite disappointed with "Latte and the magic waterstone book". The storyline felt very predictable and lacked originality. The characters were one-dimensional, making it hard to connect with them on any emotional level. Additionally, the animation was mediocre at best, and the humor fell flat. Overall, it was a forgettable and unremarkable film that failed to captivate my interest.
2. Sarah - 1/5 - I found "Latte and the magic waterstone book" to be incredibly boring and unengaging. The plot seemed to drag on endlessly, with no real excitement or twist to keep viewers interested. The voice acting was uninspiring, and the dialogue was forgettable. The animation quality was subpar, making it difficult to immerse myself in the film's world. I wouldn't recommend wasting your time on this lackluster movie.
3. Michael - 2/5 - I had high hopes for "Latte and the magic waterstone book", but unfortunately, it didn't live up to the hype. The story felt disjointed and lacked a clear direction. The humor was aimed at a younger audience, leaving adults feeling uninterested. Additionally, the animation quality was average, and the characters were not very memorable. Overall, it failed to make a lasting impression, and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone looking for an engaging and well-crafted animated film.