Cartoon Saloon has a reputation for animating some of the most stunning and powerful animated films in recent memory. However, the reception to their latest film My Father’s Dragon (which is currently streaming on Netflix) has been fairly muted. While the movie still has positive ratings, it doesn’t seem like it will have anywhere near the same lasting impact as something like Wolfwalkers. After watching it, I honestly feel as though that’s a shame. My Father’s Dragon may be more child-oriented than Cartoon Saloon’s other work (after all, it is adapted from a children’s novel), but it is also a beautiful tale of friendship that left me in tears by the end.

In this film, we follow Elmer, an imaginative young boy who is struggling to deal with a move to the city. One day, after a series of convenient events, he finds himself on a quest to save a dragon named Boris from a sinking island. The plot, especially in the first half, has to be my biggest complaint with this movie due to its many contrivances. While they added to this film’s wondrous and fantastical nature, they still got fairly irritating after a while. The back half of this movie is a lot stronger narratively, as the dynamics between Elmer, Boris, and the main “antagonist” is focused on more. I am definitely a fan of how Elmer and the “villain” parallel one another in their treatment of Boris, as their actions in this film are easily justifiable even when they are clearly in the wrong. But the way this film develops its themes of growth is what left me in tears by the end. Without giving anything away, it perfectly blends together fantastic elements with painfully honest emotions and stunning visuals to create a truly special climax. 

I don’t need to tell you that this film looks gorgeous, as per usual with this high-caliber animation studio. Cartoon Saloon manages to bring so much life to every character’s face, movements, and design. Even when I wasn’t entirely compelled by the story, this film’s visual appeal was always on point and kept me entranced. The score by Mychael and Jeff Danna also adds to this movie’s mystical nature, as each chord is instilled with whimsy and magic. 

My Father’s Dragon is a flawed film. The dialogue occasionally leaves a lot to be desired. The plot could feel a bit more natural. And the film does feel a bit too child-oriented for its own good from time to time. But at the same time, that is part of what makes this film a worthwhile watch. My Father’s Dragon made me feel like a little kid again, back when every problem was a magical adventure away from a solution and every thunderstrike was a battle between demons in the sky. It is cheesy and silly at points, but that is part of its charm. And I hope we get more children’s films like it.

7.5/10