Larva Pendant
Silly animated tale has potty humor, slapstick violence.
Larva Pendant
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this movie.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Larva Pendant is a slapstick short film sequel to Larva Island and The Larva Island Movie. It follows the story of two grubs, Red and Yellow, who find surprises and trouble around every turn. The movie has no shortage of bathroom humor, including plenty of farting and burping. Since the characters don't have limbs, they use their stretchy tongues as their main appendage. The story includes lots of cartoon-style violence and several moments of danger for the main characters. A man tries to swat at them with an electric racket. Predators chase and try to eat them. Injuries don't last long, as characters are eaten and regurgitated, and revived from death. Kids might enjoy the bright visuals and silly humor, but the story lacks substance.
Community Reviews
Crazy but entertaining for the wee ones!
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What's the Story?
In LARVA PENDANT, best friends Red and Yellow trade their island adventures for life (and more trouble) in the city. Red wakes up adrift on a raft and has only his friend Yellow and a special pendant to keep him company. From beginning to end, the pair find themselves outrunning various predators from sea to city. They set out to find food and safety, but moments of calm are short-lived as Yellow gets captured by a cat collecting bugs for his owner with a strange mission. Short-tempered Red faces his fears to help rescue his friend. Along the way, Red's pendant glows and turns out to be a magical gift. Will it be enough to save them? As the silly story unfolds, viewers will see that even death isn't enough to keep the best friends apart. Red will do anything -- even turn back time -- to get his best friend back.
Is It Any Good?
Larva Pendant offers a gross but unique perspective from a bug's point of view. Viewers familiar with Red and Yellow's adventures might be used to the strange silliness of the characters, who don't talk but do grunt and squeal. However, those unfamiliar with the story might find it absurd.
The story offers some appeal, with the larger-than-life animals and humans seen from the vantage point of larva. Though the plot stumbles through without much substance, there are a few intriguing moments, including a Superman-like moment where Red turns back time. But the show's overuse of bathroom humor and redundant slapstick interactions gets old fast. Younger viewers may enjoy the silliness of the story, but there are plenty of movies that offer more well-rounded content.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about violence as entertainment. Is it fun to watch Red and Yellow's physical exchanges? Would it feel different if they were humans and not insects?
How do movies like this encourage us to see the world from a different point of view? Does it make you feel differently about insects and small animals? Why, or why not?
Does Larva Pendant have a point? Can you learn anything valuable from its plot? What's the purpose of silly movies like this?
Did you enjoy watching a movie with no words? Do you feel that spoken language is necessary or helpful to follow a plot? What clues did you observe to understand what was happening and how the characters felt about one another?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming: May 25, 2022
- Cast: Hong Bum-ki
- Director: Joe Young-cheol
- Studio: Netflix
- Genre: Family and Kids
- Topics: Adventures, Bugs
- Run time: 33 minutes
- MPAA rating: NR
- Last updated: February 17, 2023
Our Editors Recommend
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A Bug's Life
Cute animated tale with some mild peril and scary bugs.
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Antz
Great effects and characters, but surprisingly violent.
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Bee Movie
Seinfeld comedy is cute fun for the whole family.
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