Ferdinand (2017)

I am not a fan of BlueSky Studios animation. Their Ice Age series is painfully bad, Rio is dreadful, and other than the charming take on Peanuts they did recently, their work is pedantic and predictable. They are the opposite of innovative. It turns out their take on the classic anti-violence story is as safe and predictable as their other work, but at least ends up being more entertaining and charming.

The film finds just enough embellishment to keep its story entertaining. It doesn't take any chances by being to radical in its approach to pacifism. John Cena's Ferdinand is principled without being dangerous. There is something inherently queer in the story of a bull that wants to smell flowers and refuses to fight. BlueSky mutes anything too upsetting about this story and doesn't flaunt this beyond the most simplistic "be true to yourself" message. There isn't the anti-fascist themes of the original story. It's a kinder gentler Ferdinand.

But it is a fairly funny and entertaining take and children will eat it up. Kate McKinnon's ugly goat is a crowd-pleaser (cause what else would she be) and its' hard not to embrace Cena's charming, cuddly bull. Sure his oppressors aren't overcome, Ferindand's freedom is won with their consent and with smiles and with a Jonas pop song.

Ferdinand remains one of BlueSky's better offerings which may not be saying much but at least it is a fun watch.

Ferdinand
Starring: John Cena, Kate McKinnon, David Tennant, Bobby Cannavale, Anthony Anderson, Payton Manning, Gina Rodriguez, Daveed Diggs, Gabriel Iglesias 
Director: Carlos Saldanha
Writers; Robert L. Baird, Tim Federle, Brad Copeland