Flora & Ulysses

With the amount of property under Disney's ownership, it's become a rather difficult task to find quality new features under them that don't rely on their primary box office existing IP such as remaking their original classics and entries within cinematic universes such as Star Wars and Marvel. The main work around the studio has with other projects are those based on young adult novels or other lesser known source materials. This brings us to a new project from the studio that was released on Disney+, Flora and Ulysses, which was directed by Lena Khan and is based on the children's novel of the same name by Kate DiCamillo. As the streaming service has been in desperate need of new and original content since its launch, shows related to their popular IP flourished while other made for streaming flicks like this never made much of an impact. I added this to my watchlist to sniff out whatever film content I can access and after watching it, I felt mostly indifferent to this pleasant but forgettable cute family flick.

What's it about? The story follows a 10 year old comic book fan who meets squirrel possessing super powers as she tries to get her parents out of their relationship troubles. As far as the narrative goes, there are some nice cute moments that help it keep to a consistent flow. It's aware that it's aiming for a 1990s family formula and adds flavors of Disney owned properties in tiny details. 

However, even though it maintains a consistency with itself, that doesn't mean it rises above being average. The slapstick elements that lean hard into people screaming whenever something is on their bodies (esp. their head) and feels like its phoning it in. The humor is hit or miss with a few jokes landing nicely and others falling flat. There are chunks of the story where the momentum slows down and becomes pretty boring after a while. 

 

How are the actors? In regards to story importance, the actors to focus on are Matilda Lawler, Ben Schwartz, and Alyson Hannigan. Matilda does a pretty good job being that optimist lead trying to find hope in a sad family situation, alongside some energetic line reading. Ben is a highlight among the cast for having a good balance of delightful glee and sweet comforting side. Alyson gives a competent performance that feels like she's portraying a version of her role as Lily from How I Met Your Mother (except for more family friendly).

 

Overall Consensus: Flora & Ulysses is an average family adventure with good acting, silly light hearted tone, and a familiar story, despite having hit or miss visual effects, lackluster slapstick, and slow momentum. ⭑⭑⭑3/4 Runtime: 1 hour 37 minutes PG

 

Reasons to watch it: You are a fan of the aforementioned actors and/or director Lena Khan. You have read the novel it's based on and are interested in how it's adapted. You don't mind formulaic predictable plots. You want to have a 90 minutes diversion for your children on Disney+.

 

Reasons to avoid it: You aren't a fan of the aforementioned actors and/or director Lena Khan. You have read the novel it's based on but aren't interested in how it's adapted. You are bored with formulaic predictable plots.