If you’re wondering what I mean by “real” animation I’m
speaking of the classic style of animation, drawn for the most part, as opposed
to the CGI animation most movies are made
from these days. This is not to discredit those films, they’re wonderful as
well. But there are times when you just long to see that classic Disney style
of animation from the past. So it was a wonderful welcome when I put in
NOCTURNA and pushed play. I was taken not just to a time when that form of
animation was the standard but to a wonderful world and story that’s great for
all ages.
Made in 2007 the movie makes its way to DVD
now. The story revolves around a young orphan named Tim, a boy who dreams of a
much bigger world and who is obsessed with the stars. That’s in part because he
has a fear of the dark. Each night when the lights go out he pushes his bunk
bed to the window and unlocks the shutters so he can look at the stars in the
sky, in particular one he calls his own.
When his secret handle is stolen so he can’t open the
shutters, Tim goes to the roof to look at the stars and notices that they’re
beginning to disappear, starting with his star. As he worries about this he
notices a large number of cats on the roof followed by a huge person who
identifies himself as the cat Shepherd. The cat Shepherd is part of an unseen
world to humans, people who control the night and sleep of children around the
world. Each cat is supposed to make sure his human child is asleep. Tim’s cat
is more prone to sleep on the job rather than help Tim sleep. When Tim tells
the cat Shepherd what is going on he receives a deaf ear. When he threatens to
stay awake until he sees the man in charge the cat Shepherd takes him to
headquarters.
Rather than be taken to this ruler as he wished, Tim is
forced to sneak in to see him. At that time he is given a quest to help solve
the problem of the missing stars. The journey takes him to various parts of the
city at night, eventually landing at a light house where he may or may not find
the answer that he seeks. Along the way he bonds with the cat Shepherd and
faces dangers that many in this land of night might not survive from if he
isn’t successful in his task.
The movie is not only a joy for the eyes with old style
animation that glows on the screen but offers a nice story as well. Tim is the
hero that children will root for, one of them, a young boy who is afraid of the
dark and unwilling to admit it at first. As the story progresses he must face
his own fears if he is to save the world as we or they know it. It’s a story of
heroism in the face of danger but not a danger that might seem actually life
threatening to a child.
The movie holds your attention from start to finish with
what has been described as a Tim Burtonesque style of city. I can see the
comparison a bit but not near as much as most. There are similarities but not
enough that this movie doesn’t offer its own world for us to enjoy. The
characters we are treated to are at times odd, at times humorous and always
interesting. Tim’s acceptance of each of them displays the innocence of a child
who doesn’t see the differences in the rest of the world.
The movie offers a great story, great animation and a lesson
that all children can benefit from by the last panel. It offers something rare
to find these days, entertainment that the entire family can enjoy without
adults being bored and that children will be delighted to watch. For some just
looking at the visual treat will be enough. I’d suggest that you take it all in
though and enjoy every bit of it. Not one to rent but one to put in your
collection, even if you don’t have children.
Click here to order.
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