Moomins and the Winter Wonderland
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Moomins and the Winter Wonderland
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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 Moomins and the Winter Wonderland is a wholesome festive stop-motion animation based on Tove Jansson's Nordic children's books. The make-believe Moomins typically hibernate during winter but when they're woken up and are told that Christmas is coming, they prepare for what they think is a person called Christmas. This misunderstanding is the basis for many gentle jokes that are funny for all the family making it a true all-ages movie. It has strong messages of friendship, compassion, exploration, and open-mindedness. The spirit of Christmas is also described as a time to be with loved ones. In one scene of mild threat, a character is surrounded by wolves but is quickly saved. There is is also some slapstick moments involving characters falling over but none come to any harm. The mythical Groke creature could also be scary for some kids but it doesn't actually behave in a threatening manner. The movie focuses on the change of the seasons and can spark discussion about folklore and rituals. The dubbed into English version features some recognizable voices including Stellan and Bill Skarsgård, and Alicia Vikander.
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What's the Story?
In MOOMINS AND THE WINTER WONDERLAND, the Moomins are just about to start hibernating for the winter when they are told Christmas is coming. So they hurriedly begin to prepare for this arrival, not realizing that Christmas is not actually a person.
Is It Any Good?
With computer graphics being the preferred production method for almost all kids' films, when something different comes along it stands out. Created using stop-motion animation, Moomins and the Winter Wonderland is a beautiful, hand-made breath of fresh air. The characters are simply made but exquisitely shot, giving the movie a tangible feel. It's remarkable too how focused the movie is. With just the characters animated on top of static backgrounds, each scene feels close and intimate, especially in contrast to the normal endlessly busy, sprawling CGI backgrounds.
With its simple story of Moomin magic, folklore, friendship, and a deeper exploration of rituals within society, the movie is a joy for all ages. It's funny, too, with gentle jokes as calm as the characters. And what an array of characters. All the classic Moomin favorites feature, from the huge mysterious Groke to the human adventurer Snufkin. Swedish stars Alicia Vikander, Stellan Skarsgård, and Bill Skarsgård voice the English language version and all add a warmth that seals the deal for Moomins and the Winter Wonderland being a gentle, sweet but never boring modern Christmas classic.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the positive messages in Moomins and the Winter Wonderland. How did the characters show compassion, courage, curiosity, teamwork, and empathy? Why are these such important character strengths? Can you think of a time when you've demonstrated any of these traits?
Talk about the different seasons we all experience. Does it snow in the winter where you live? What are the changes in seasons you notice?
The movie looks at the idea of traditions. Do you and your family have any traditions? Where did these traditions and rituals come from?
How did this style of stop-motion animation compare to other animated movies you might have seen? Do you know how stop-motion animation is made?
Movie Details
- In theaters: December 15, 2017
- On DVD or streaming: April 15, 2019
- Cast: Bill Skarsgård, Alicia Vikander, Stellan Skarsgard
- Directors: Ira Carpelan, Jakub Wronski
- Studio: Global Genesis Group
- Genre: Family and Kids
- Topics: Magic and Fantasy, Adventures, Book Characters, Friendship
- Character Strengths: Compassion, Courage, Curiosity, Empathy, Teamwork
- Run time: 82 minutes
- MPAA rating: NR
- Last updated: March 31, 2022
Our Editors Recommend
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Popular Nordic characters star in amusing family adventure.
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