Slumberland
Slumberland is about to take audiences on a magical adventure on Netflix beginning November 18th.
**Discolsure- I attended a preview of Slumberland at the Paris Theater in NYC. All opinions in this review are my own. Movie photos provided by Netflix.
Slumberland Synopsis:
Slumberland takes audiences to a magical place. A dreamworld where precocious Nemo (Marlow Barkley) and her eccentric companion Flip (Jason Momoa) embark on the adventure of a lifetime. After her father Peter (Kyle Chandler) is unexpectedly lost at sea, young Nemo’s idyllic Pacific Northwest existence is completely upended when she is sent to live in the city with her well-meaning but deeply awkward uncle Phillip (Chris O’Dowd). Her new school and new routine are challenging by day but at night, a secret map to the fantastical world of Slumberland connects Nemo to Flip. The rough-around-the-edges but lovable outlaw quickly becomes her partner and guide. She and Flip find themselves on an incredible journey traversing dreams and fleeing nightmares. There, Nemo begins to hope that she will be reunited with her father once again.
Trailer:
Review:
Slumberland is a dreamy adventure. The film goes a little long but trust me, there is no falling asleep on this whirlwind movie. The action keeps coming every time Nemo falls asleep. The film is very loosely based on an early 1900’s comic called “Little Nemo in Slumberland”. It seems that fans of the comic find this new adaption veers too far from the spirit of the strip. Having never read the comic I didn’t have any pre-conceived notions of what the film should be other than a fantastical adventure. In this regard, Slumberland hit the right notes.
Slumberland launched head on into a sad topic yet was whimsical, adventurous with a twist of silly. Jason Momoa did a surprisingly nice comic turn as Flip. One of Flip’s first lines in the film is “I’m just one of those weird things that happen in dreams.” and that he is!
As with any film that deals with the death of a parent, make sure you have the tissues handy. Marlow Barkley was terrific as Nemo and I can’t see how she develops her craft over time. That said the best character in the movie is the stuffed animal Pig. Pig doesn’t even say a word but is definitely the kind of ride or die best friend you need with you in your wildest dreams.
KIDometer:
If you have young viewers at home make note…the subject matter of a parent dying may be too intense for small children. The dream sequences may also confuse children who may not be used to alternating realities.
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