Delgo: Lizards, Fairies, and Plotpoints. Oh My!

Delgo: Trailer 1 @ Apple Trailers

OMNIMEDIA: that was the first word that came to mind after watching the preview for Delgo. But not in a good 'All Things Considered' kind of way, but a 'Jack-of-all-Trades' kind of way. There are so many plots and different genres packed into the trailer that its hard to find one point to jump off from. The story looks to be a tale of two young...things (I don't know what the creatures are called)...from different species who fall in love and have to overcome their differences to be with each other. On top of that their respective countries/species/hives/etc are about to go to war with each other. On top of THAT it looks like there are internal political squabbles going on in one of the kingdoms between a queen and the good guys of the species. Needless to say it doesn't seem to be lacking in plot layers.

I have to balk at this kind of layering in a Family movie though, I feel the attempt to throw something in the mix for everyone usually ends up mucking up what could be a wonderful story on its own. To pull it off you have to be no less than Pixar-esque in your execution, which many studios are not. From the trailer this looks more like a study in 90s era Disney than anything else.

On the animation front the characters have a plastic feel which doesn't help the case for the seriousness (it really sounds like the evil character is trying to set up a mini-ethnic cleansing...) the movie is trying to convey. Backdrops and character are done in impressive, detail but the stiff movement betrays all that work and throws it squarely back into the cartoon neighborhood. Bottom line, I don't think the movie knows what it is. It's got quite a cast of B+ level voice talent that is sure to attract viewers but I really feel it's trying too hard to be all things, a kids movie, a fantasy tale, and a light hearted animated feature.