Flora & Ulysses (2021)
6.7 /10
137 Reviews
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When Flora rescues a squirrel she names Ulysses, she is amazed to discover he possesses unique superhero powers, which take them on an adventure of humorous complications that ultimately change Flora's life--and her outlook--forever.
Videos & Photos
cast
... Flora Buckman
... Phyllis Buckman
... George Buckman
... Miller
... William Spiver
User reviews
Bit of a waste, in the end.
'Flora & Ulysses' isn't a bad watch, but it doesn't utilise a cool premise or a strong showing from youngster Matilda Lawler. The latter fairly impressed me, especially early on. Behind her, Ben Schwartz is OK and Alyson Hannigan is, as seemingly always, likeable.
Given how interesting the concept is, the film barely even touches on Ulysses' abilities - when they do, e.g. at the diner, then it is actually nicely created with the effects, slow motion et al. Instead they focus on a familial story, which didn't intrigue me whatsoever. I did like the comic book onscreen graphics, mind.
Perhaps others will find enjoyment with this, fair enough if so. For me, though, it's average and forgettable.
Director:
Release Date:
2021-02-19
Run Time:
91 min
MMPA Rating:
PG
Reviews of
Flora & Ulysses
Bit of a waste, in the end.
'Flora & Ulysses' isn't a bad watch, but it doesn't utilise a cool premise or a strong showing from youngster Matilda Lawler. The latter fairly impressed me, especially early on. Behind her, Ben Schwartz is OK and Alyson Hannigan is, as seemingly always, likeable.
Given how interesting the concept is, the film barely even touches on Ulysses' abilities - when they do, e.g. at the diner, then it is actually nicely created with the effects, slow motion et al. Instead they focus on a familial story, which didn't intrigue me whatsoever. I did like the comic book onscreen graphics, mind.
Perhaps others will find enjoyment with this, fair enough if so. For me, though, it's average and forgettable.
Disney has taken Kate DiCamillo’s 2013 Newbery Award-winning book “Flora and Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures” and made it into a second-rate movie (shortened to “Flora & Ulysses”) that will only appeal to kids who have pretty low standards. There’s a cute little girl (Matilda Lawler), a fuzzy squirrel (created from choppy CGI), and a story that throws in a handful of positive life lessons, but the slapdash action scenes, dumb pratfalls, and dull storytelling combine to form a family film with an unredeemable lack of magic.
Flora (Lawler) is an avid comic book fan and cynic, who is having trouble dealing with the fact that her parents (Alyson Hannigan, Ben Schwartz) have recently separated. One day, the 10-year-old girl saves a squirrel who has been sucked into a vacuum cleaner. Flora names her rescued pal Ulysses after she discovers he possesses superhero powers (and can write poetry). The duo go on a series of adventures while avoiding an animal control officer (Danny Pudi) who wants to capture and kill the potentially rabid squirrel.
The film feels like a dated Disney flick, with a simple message that relies heavily on mom and dad style humor. There is a good theme of what being a “true hero” means wrapped up with a couple of platitudes about the importance of family, but the more positive ideas seem buried under the lifeless action scenes (and dopey slow motion) that makes the project barely rise above the lowest quality t.v. movie.
There can’t be an unhappy ending of course, so Ulysses helps Flora fix the broken elements in her life. The little girl hopes her estranged parents will get back together and that her mom will be able to rise above her writer’s block. She wishes humans would treat animals better too, and thankfully her new squirrel buddy convinces most of them that he’s worth saving.
If you or your kids really like squirrels, are very bored, and are easily entertained, then “Flora and Ulysses” may be good enough for family movie night. The film starts out really rough and despite a mild improvement about halfway through, it never gets over the hump of mediocrity.
Cast & Crew of
Flora & Ulysses
Cast
... Flora Buckman
... Phyllis Buckman
... George Buckman
... Miller
... William Spiver
... Rita
... Tootie
... Journalist
... Incandesto
... Technician
... Shobo
... Meter Man
... Animal Control Tech
... Binders Keepers Employee
... Squirrel Man (uncredited)
... Stanlee
... Marissa
... Dr. Meescham
Crew
... Executive Producer
... Director of Photography
... Art Direction
... Casting Director
... Producer
... Costume Design
... Screenplay
... Original Music Composer
... Novel
... VFX Supervisor
... Sound Mixer
... Set Designer
... Makeup Department Head
... VFX Supervisor
... Supervising Music Editor
... Special Effects Coordinator
... Sound Designer
... Sound Supervisor
... Hair Department Head
... Production Design
... Visual Effects Supervisor
... Editor
... Director
... Art Direction
... Set Decoration
... Animation Supervisor
... VFX Editor
... Visual Effects Producer
... Visual Effects Producer
... VFX Supervisor
... Animation Supervisor
... Executive Music Producer
... Post Production Supervisor
... VFX Editor
... Visual Effects Producer
Videos & Photos of
Flora & Ulysses
Videos (1)
Photos 10
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