I am surprised by the many poor reviews. On the other hand, the movie did not get me the first time I watched it, either. Maybe it is because the marketing raised the wrong expectancies? Or people expected something like Manitou's shoe or the equally hilarious Dreamship surprise, I guess this is what kept me from completely getting the Wickie movie the first time. And I was around when the animated show was on TV, I did watch it sporadically, but I was not a superfan. Yes, it is not a hilarious comedy like the huge Bully hits, sure, it is a children's movie. Yet, I found it very entertaining and likable, once I had forgotten all the associations and expectancies and just watched the movie for what it is: a cute adventure story with wonderful, diverse characters (a character for everybody to like/identify with), a great message for kids (yes, a lot of Wickie's plans would not work, but this is not the point/this does not make him not clever. The point is, that it encourages kids to get into science, use their heads, not define themselves by physical strength alone, not define smart kids/people as lame Nerds, and in addition there is the message, that females are strong and clever, too, in particular Ylva, who perfectly directs her husband into the right directions). And en passent Bully succeeds to show how real diversity is established in a natural, unobtrusive way - and this in a movie about Vikings, a pretty little diverse looking group. And let's not forget the funny action. If you enjoyed Pirates of the Carribbean I can only recommend you to give Bully's Wickie a shot. And for the ones who liked it: watch the DVD features with the Making of where Bully tells funny details about the roles, actors and the shooting process. There is even a music video featuring Bully and Sasha ('If you believe in love tonight', Dick Brave, etc.). And if you already saw it and were disappointed: give it a second shot, you will see it with different eyes and not regret it.
Review of Wickie und die starken Männer
