The movie although with a false kid friendly imagery gives you a crushing blow about society.
It makes good questions about our lives and how we destroy ourselves mentally, physically and emotionally, and also what surround us. You see each character battling their demons and fears, especially the lead character birdboy, who doesn't even speak, with every emotion coming from the animation simple but very creative. You can see the passion that took making each scene.
For me it's one of the best animated movies in recent years.
15 Reviews
A shining light in a sea of darkness.
kevinxirau2 November 2018
In popular media, sometimes the most obscure can pick up one's interest. That came when I randomly encountered the Blu-ray of a 2015 Spanish film called "Birdboy: The Forgotten Children (Psiconautas, los niños olvidados)". It is based on a comic by Alberto Vázquez and serves as sort of a sequel to a short film made by him and Pedro Rivero simply titled "Birdboy" (can be found on youtube), which I recommend seeing if you want some extra context (though the film itself works without it).
Plot: An industrial accident turns a once peaceful island of anthropomorphic animals into a harsh, near-lifeless dystopia. The orphaned outcast Birdboy tries to get by in life and keep the demon inside him locked away. Meanwhile, his loving friend, a mouse named Dinky, plans to leave the island with her friends to start fresh in the outside world. Little do both know that their destinies are intertwined in ways they cannot imagine.
Full warning: This is NOT a kids movie. It's a world that embraces the dark and macabre with elements of drugs, blood+violence, language, and minor sexual elements. The society is one of denial, desperation, corruption, and waste, rotting inside and out. But, the film's tagline "There is light and beauty, even in the darkest of worlds" is present in different ways such as Birdboy's beautiful grotto, Little Fox, and small humorous touches, fragments of hope for the forsaken island that may or may not come to pass. The art style would make Tim Burton proud, decay and dark shadows at nearly every corner with simplistic character designs that often fit their thematic relevance and lifestyles. Abundant themes are woven into both the world and narrative such as addiction, adolescence, environmentalism, conformity, freedom, prejudice, family troubles, and the darkness within us, all seen from the perspectives of the two protagonists. I also gotta give props to the music, the emotional tone of which is a mix of eerie and soothing.
Birdboy is one of the most unique and intriguing fictional characters I've seen, silent and reclusive yet so full of nuance and pathos. He's flawed but he persists in bettering things even when the world and his frightening demon are against him. Dinky complements him with her desire for a new life, seeing nothing of value beyond those closest to her and doing what she can to achieve her goal. While not seen together that much, their relationship drew me in. The side characters are also interesting with their own problems, though I felt that a couple of them could've used more development such as Dinky's friend Sandra who suffers from schizophrenia.
"Birdboy: The Forgotten Children" is a creature unlike any other, both strange and inviting. It managed to win Best Animated Feature among other awards and, for me, it's easy to see why. I was regaled and intellectually challenged by this one. If you want to try a new visual experience, then give this and the prequel short film a watch. Just keep it away from children.
Plot: An industrial accident turns a once peaceful island of anthropomorphic animals into a harsh, near-lifeless dystopia. The orphaned outcast Birdboy tries to get by in life and keep the demon inside him locked away. Meanwhile, his loving friend, a mouse named Dinky, plans to leave the island with her friends to start fresh in the outside world. Little do both know that their destinies are intertwined in ways they cannot imagine.
Full warning: This is NOT a kids movie. It's a world that embraces the dark and macabre with elements of drugs, blood+violence, language, and minor sexual elements. The society is one of denial, desperation, corruption, and waste, rotting inside and out. But, the film's tagline "There is light and beauty, even in the darkest of worlds" is present in different ways such as Birdboy's beautiful grotto, Little Fox, and small humorous touches, fragments of hope for the forsaken island that may or may not come to pass. The art style would make Tim Burton proud, decay and dark shadows at nearly every corner with simplistic character designs that often fit their thematic relevance and lifestyles. Abundant themes are woven into both the world and narrative such as addiction, adolescence, environmentalism, conformity, freedom, prejudice, family troubles, and the darkness within us, all seen from the perspectives of the two protagonists. I also gotta give props to the music, the emotional tone of which is a mix of eerie and soothing.
Birdboy is one of the most unique and intriguing fictional characters I've seen, silent and reclusive yet so full of nuance and pathos. He's flawed but he persists in bettering things even when the world and his frightening demon are against him. Dinky complements him with her desire for a new life, seeing nothing of value beyond those closest to her and doing what she can to achieve her goal. While not seen together that much, their relationship drew me in. The side characters are also interesting with their own problems, though I felt that a couple of them could've used more development such as Dinky's friend Sandra who suffers from schizophrenia.
"Birdboy: The Forgotten Children" is a creature unlike any other, both strange and inviting. It managed to win Best Animated Feature among other awards and, for me, it's easy to see why. I was regaled and intellectually challenged by this one. If you want to try a new visual experience, then give this and the prequel short film a watch. Just keep it away from children.
Not for children (You've been warned)
WeAreLive7 October 2018
Warning: Spoilers
Just so you know this movie is not for kids as there is the use of mild language, blood shots and scary imagery. So don't let the cutesy animation/art style fool you.
Birdboy the forgotten children is a Spanish animated movie which got dubbed in English by GKIDS. This review is based off me watch the English dub and what I thought of it.
This movie is about a mysterious bird by the name of birdboy who has rumoured to be a threat by some and a good person by others. Three friends want to leave island including Sandra, Little Fox and Dinky with Birdboy. So they can have better life which is off the island somewhere else.
The voice acting was okay, but could have improved a tad bit and music which was played in this movie was very good.
All and all I would give this movie a go if you like Spanish animated movies and supernatural stories.
Birdboy the forgotten children is a Spanish animated movie which got dubbed in English by GKIDS. This review is based off me watch the English dub and what I thought of it.
This movie is about a mysterious bird by the name of birdboy who has rumoured to be a threat by some and a good person by others. Three friends want to leave island including Sandra, Little Fox and Dinky with Birdboy. So they can have better life which is off the island somewhere else.
The voice acting was okay, but could have improved a tad bit and music which was played in this movie was very good.
All and all I would give this movie a go if you like Spanish animated movies and supernatural stories.
Very Imaginative
Red_Identity27 March 2018
It's hard to watch this film and finish it and think of any other that is similar to it. Truly, a very unique piece of animation that ventures into the horror category in ways films like Coraline (which could be deemed as "animated horror) did not. The voice acting is amazing and expressive, and the animation does so much to really portray this very unique and distinct voice. This is surely a film that needs to be seen and congratulated.
Bizarre and outlandish cartoon movie that won deservedly a large number of Awards
ma-cortes25 June 2021
A strange and weird cartoon movie dealing with three chilldren : Dinki , Sara and Zorrito leave their home to embark on a better life throughout a bizarre World at an isolated island after a nuclear apocalypse that caused a serious damage environmental. Along the way , another boy , Birdboy who never talks , is being pursued by two guard men wielding rifles . No everything with a body is alive.
This is a very rare and offbeat movie with a traditional as well as naif animation. It is a sui-generis film with plenty of fantasy , adventure , ecological message and disturbing , at times . The film is really influenced by the Japanese Anime and especially by the fantastic atmosphere created by Hayao Miyazaki in Mononoke Princess and others as Chihiro or My neighbour Tororo . The movie is developed with high sensibility and sense of wonder , though isn't apt for little boys . It is more adequate a rating PG : Parents Guide than a children film , due to contain graphic violence , horror moments , bloody attacks , strong fights , and some creepy animals . A decent film based on the comic books by Alberto Vazquez who was director assistant as well . Adding an enjoyable musical score and colorful cinematography accompanying appropiately the story's development .
The picture produced by prestigious actor Luis Tosar , among others , being original and competently written/directed by Pedro Rivero and Alberto Vazquez . It won several Nominations and Awards, such as : Cinamia 2016 winner Festival Feature Film to Pedro Rivera , Alberto Vazquez . Fantasia Film Festival 2016 winner Best Animated Feature . Faro Island Film Festival 2015 winner Grand Jury Prize . Goya Awards 2017 Best Animation Film : ZircoZine , Basque Films , Abrakan Estudio, Competencia Productiones . Monterrey International Film Festival winner Graveyard Shift Competition . The Platino Awards for Iberoamerican Cinema 2017 winner best film. ToHorror Film Festival Italy 2016 Best Film, among others .
This is a very rare and offbeat movie with a traditional as well as naif animation. It is a sui-generis film with plenty of fantasy , adventure , ecological message and disturbing , at times . The film is really influenced by the Japanese Anime and especially by the fantastic atmosphere created by Hayao Miyazaki in Mononoke Princess and others as Chihiro or My neighbour Tororo . The movie is developed with high sensibility and sense of wonder , though isn't apt for little boys . It is more adequate a rating PG : Parents Guide than a children film , due to contain graphic violence , horror moments , bloody attacks , strong fights , and some creepy animals . A decent film based on the comic books by Alberto Vazquez who was director assistant as well . Adding an enjoyable musical score and colorful cinematography accompanying appropiately the story's development .
The picture produced by prestigious actor Luis Tosar , among others , being original and competently written/directed by Pedro Rivero and Alberto Vazquez . It won several Nominations and Awards, such as : Cinamia 2016 winner Festival Feature Film to Pedro Rivera , Alberto Vazquez . Fantasia Film Festival 2016 winner Best Animated Feature . Faro Island Film Festival 2015 winner Grand Jury Prize . Goya Awards 2017 Best Animation Film : ZircoZine , Basque Films , Abrakan Estudio, Competencia Productiones . Monterrey International Film Festival winner Graveyard Shift Competition . The Platino Awards for Iberoamerican Cinema 2017 winner best film. ToHorror Film Festival Italy 2016 Best Film, among others .
You'll Love It As It Breaks Your Heart
alisonc-123 July 2016
Life is bleak on the island after an "industrial accident" destroyed most life and left its remaining peoples to scramble amongst piles of rust and garbage to survive. Teenager Dinky wants only to run away, leave the island and find a better life, but she also wants to persuade Birdboy, a solitary youth who is shunned by most, takes drugs all the time (to subdue the demon living inside him) and rarely talks, to come away with her, for Dinky loves Birdboy. But Birdboy has his own joys and sorrows, the former being flying and his ability to seed the scorched earth with new life via glowing acorns and the latter being the murder of his father by police who misunderstood his purpose. He is not too sure how long he can continue in his life, and in the meantime Dinky and her friends plan their escape, while trying to avoid the clutches of the trash- dwelling rodents who call themselves "the forgotten children".... This is an animated film that began life in 2012 as a short and was subsequently expanded to full length by the two directors, Alberto Vasquez and Pedro Rivero. It is beautifully wrought, a piece of gorgeous (if often bleak) drawing, and the characters really get under your skin. But oh, it's so tragic for everyone involved; although the final images show a kind of beautiful transcendence, by then this viewer's heart was already completely broken by the pathos of it all. If you don't mind having your heart broken by film (as I don't), then give yourself the haunting pleasure of seeing this film!
Sad
mohamadacma14 April 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Birdboy is the last of his kind on an island full of graves. He is possesed by demons but nonetheless is helping all in need on the island by prividing food, shelter, and protection from evil persons. He is alas being hunted by two hunters. The island is lawless and a he is attempting to restore order. He gets killed in the end after survivig manyshots in the past. The animation is great
Absolutely Amazing
srainemci1 February 2018
I recently was lucky to grab a seat in it's limited English release in NYC and I'm very glad I went out of my way to watch it. NYC theaters are loud and responsive, it spoke well of this film that the audience grew quiet and attentive 20 minutes in. While the film has it's comedy and of course features solely animated animals, it reaches amazing depths and tells a fully entertaining and visually captivating story. There is nothing immature or young about this film. The animation is wonderful and feels wholly original without shoving style into your face. The writing is superb and crisp, never feeling heavy handed nor childish. Each character has its own story, even if you don't get to see it, you feel their story through their design and dialogue. I was amazed to learn this was the two directors first feature length film, and while it is based on Vasquez's own comic (which explains their talent in story telling and character development) the ability to translate the story to a fully engaging film. I'm very excited to see what comes out of this team in the future.
Very effective
benoyum11112 December 2019
I don't know what to write. Just watch it... It is a bit too dark maybe, our world is (still) not that bad, still not inhabitat that much by the demons in our head.
Reviews say that this is not for kids. They are right, it is already hard for a caring grow up to watch. But if there would be less violence shown in the movie, I am sure many kids would love and understand this movie, because all kids wants to enjoy life and doesn't like parents that seem to care about you but instead act like an Matrix agent. And kids like nature, because they don't have self-hatred.
The film although represents world without hope, has a good message. It says: 'You can not solve the problems by running from them, there is always happiness and beauty within where you live. Just find it and spread it.
Reviews say that this is not for kids. They are right, it is already hard for a caring grow up to watch. But if there would be less violence shown in the movie, I am sure many kids would love and understand this movie, because all kids wants to enjoy life and doesn't like parents that seem to care about you but instead act like an Matrix agent. And kids like nature, because they don't have self-hatred.
The film although represents world without hope, has a good message. It says: 'You can not solve the problems by running from them, there is always happiness and beauty within where you live. Just find it and spread it.
Birdboy is right up there with Princess Mononoke
katrookwood22 December 2019
frightening, but that's all
ironmanners19 September 2020
Dark and unforgettable
doomedmac3 January 2020
Masterpiece
cleft_asunder1 January 2021
I suppose the directors either had narcissistic parents or they're just naturally good at psychology. The films reveals a lot about the demons in the human psych, even depicting demons masquerading as a persons real identity. It's definitely up there with the film 'Where the Wild Things Are.' Every facial gesture, emotion, and sound are never wasted. You'll love this movie if you enjoy Salad Fingers, the game Machinarium, and Planescape Torment, if 'enjoyment' is the right word to use for a such a depressing film.
This contained the darkness and entertainment value of a Tim Burton film...but in Spanish
kevin_robbins5 January 2023
Bird Boy: The Forgotten Children (2015) is a Spanish animated picture based on a graphic novel and is currently available on Shudder. The storyline follows a world where animals walk and talk and some horrific events have taken place historically. The Bird Boy is known to be a menace by the local law enforcement but not everyone thinks so, and everyone would love to see and find him, for better or worse. Meanwhile, Bird Boy has his own inner demons and depression he's trying to overcome while keeping the woodlands safe. As Bird Boy looks for hope society looks to destroy him.
This movie is codirected and co-written by Pedro Rivero (directorial debut) and Alberto Vázquez (Unicorn Wars). Vázquez also wrote the graphic novel. NOTE: this movie is in subtitles. The storyline, settings and characters are unique and really capture the imagination. The dialogue is deep and smart as is the depiction of the various characters, their perspectives and inner demons. Seeing smoking 🚬 animals definitely had me cracking up. Every scene with the crow and spider was intense and well done. The backstory on Bird Boy was sad but entertaining and the various shooting and killing scenes were excellent. The use of the mice and the entire ending was perfectly done.
Overall, this contained the darkness and entertainment value of a Tim Burton film...but in Spanish. I would score this a 9/10 and strongly recommend it.
This movie is codirected and co-written by Pedro Rivero (directorial debut) and Alberto Vázquez (Unicorn Wars). Vázquez also wrote the graphic novel. NOTE: this movie is in subtitles. The storyline, settings and characters are unique and really capture the imagination. The dialogue is deep and smart as is the depiction of the various characters, their perspectives and inner demons. Seeing smoking 🚬 animals definitely had me cracking up. Every scene with the crow and spider was intense and well done. The backstory on Bird Boy was sad but entertaining and the various shooting and killing scenes were excellent. The use of the mice and the entire ending was perfectly done.
Overall, this contained the darkness and entertainment value of a Tim Burton film...but in Spanish. I would score this a 9/10 and strongly recommend it.
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