Axel: The Biggest Little Hero
By Renee Longstreet,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Entertaining and inventive adventure; some scary villains.
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What's the Story?
In AXEL: THE BIGGEST LITTLE HERO, somewhere on a distant planet young Axel (voiced by Yuri Lowenthal) is the community prankster, and he's certain that he's destined to be a hero. Opportunity knocks when Axel realizes his hometown is facing a famine; the supply of his community's primary food from the Bonta cactus is threateningly low. Believing he has spotted a new source of the cactus far across the desert, and guided by the voice of the legendary hero Bonta himself (Ed Asner), Axel determines to save his town: He will make his way across his world to find the Bonta forest. Against his better judgment, he lets his more timid best friend Jono (voiced by Colleen O'Shaugnessey) join him. The two soon meet with a giant robot ostrich who will provide their "transportation." But the quest is a dangerous one. Along the way, the trio encounters natural disasters and menacing enemies. Allies appear, as well: A kingdom of charismatic "Guardians," headed by Papa Qi (the voice of Tim Curry) and his super-confident daughter, Princess Gaga, both hinder and help the heroes. In a final battle for survival, Axel and company must take on a giant Lizard King and his vast army of robotic lizard soldiers. Can they overcome this enemy and continue their odyssey to save their world?
Is It Any Good?
A traditional odyssey story is made new again, with creative characters, inventive animation, and humor. Doubtless the PG rating is due to the creepy, crawly army of lizards who appear frequently to remind of the impending danger to the heroes and the Transformer-like king of those lizards. Some viewers may find it a bit of a cheat when the primary story elements are unresolved by the film's end. They'll have to be content with waiting for the two planned sequels. But Axel and Jono are engaging; their relationship is fresh; and the subsidiary characters are original as well. An emphasis on personal growth, confidence, and faith in one's abilities gives the film some added heft.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about what it means to be a hero. Who are the real heroes in your life? What makes them heroes?
Can someone ever be too brave? Which character might be too brave in this film? Why?
Were you disappointed because important things were not resolved at the end of this movie? Do you want to see the rest of Axel's journey? Do you think the filmmakers are counting on that?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming: June 3, 2014
- Cast: Yuri Lowenthal, Colleen O'Shaughnessey, Tim Curry
- Director: Leo Lee
- Studio: Versatile Media
- Genre: Family and Kids
- Topics: Friendship, Robots, Space and Aliens
- Run time: 80 minutes
- MPAA rating: PG
- MPAA explanation: some scary images, perilous action, and mild rude humor
- Last updated: February 26, 2022
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