A Turtle’s Tale: Sammy’s Adventures 3D (2010)
Certified: U
Duration: 88 minutes
Directed by: Ben Stassen
Voices of: Dominic Cooper, Gemma Arterton, Robert Sheehan, John Hurt
KRS release
Animation has already visited the underwater kingdom and delivered us a classic in the form of Finding Nemo (2003). A Turtle’s Tale capitalises on the awareness of the great visual environment that Pixar made such good use of in that film and here delivers a very environmentally-friendly tale.
Where Finding Nemo was about parental issues, Sammy goes full throttle for the eco-awareness campaign. This film should serve as recommended viewing for primary school level students and form part of their curriculum. The combination of 3D, entertainment, crisp animation and environmental awareness can be the starting point of many a classroom activity.
This animated feature made in Belgium depicts the life span of a sea turtle.
From the moment he is born on a beach, Sammy soon discovers that life will be one big struggle as he has to fend off the attentions of a bird. In this clash this little hatchling meets another hatchling named Shelly. The two end up separated in the vast ocean. Soon Sammy meets another hatchling named Ray who tells him of a turtle paradise known as Lapagos. The two kick off their voyage together in order to find this paradise.
During their journey they will have to face fishermen nets, live in a hippie commune, shark attacks, visit the Antarctic, encounter whaling ships and more. There is never a dull moment for these underwater citizens.
Complete with lovable characters, the story zips along smoothly. While Sammy’s quest is what is on the agenda, it’s the eco-friendly message that is the primary issue here. The film really builds up the environment and the 3D effects here really help out. Children will also learn facts about turtles, underwater life and other creatures that are actually real. This is not a film where animals do crazy mutated, ninja, super-powered tricks as is the norm for animals portrayed in animated features. Humour is placed in the film at the right moments, mostly from secondary characters.
The decision to tell the story from the turtle’s point of view is a good one. This will provide in its young audience an inherent admiration to the struggles and efforts that these creatures undergo in their daily lives.
The film also has a sense of time and place with the story being laced with moments such as a hippie commune or a Greenpeace activity to give the 50-year life span a historical reference.