X
- 2014
- PG
- GKIDS
- 1 h 20 m
- 2014
- PG
- GKIDS
- 1 h 20 m
Summary Deep below snowy, cobblestone streets, tucked away in networks of winding subterranean tunnels, lives a civilization of hardworking mice, terrified of the bears who live above ground. Unlike her fellow mice, Celestine is an artist and a dreamer – and when she nearly ends up as breakfast for ursine troubadour Ernest, the two form an unlik...
Directed By: Stéphane Aubier, Vincent Patar, Benjamin Renner
Written By: Daniel Pennac, Gabrielle Vincent
- 2014
- PG
- GKIDS
- 1 h 20 m
- 2014
- PG
- GKIDS
- 1 h 20 m
Ernest & Célestine
7.7
Where to Watch
Summary Deep below snowy, cobblestone streets, tucked away in networks of winding subterranean tunnels, lives a civilization of hardworking mice, terrified of the bears who live above ground. Unlike her fellow mice, Celestine is an artist and a dreamer – and when she nearly ends up as breakfast for ursine troubadour Ernest, the two form an unlik...
Directed By: Stéphane Aubier, Vincent Patar, Benjamin Renner
Written By: Daniel Pennac, Gabrielle Vincent
Where to Watch
Top Cast
Metascore
Universal Acclaim
Based on 22 Critic Reviews
86
95% Positive
21 Reviews
21 Reviews
5% Mixed
1 Review
1 Review
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Metascore
Universal Acclaim
Based on 22 Critic Reviews
86
95% Positive
21 Reviews
21 Reviews
5% Mixed
1 Review
1 Review
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Ernest & Celestine delivers a sweet message that should prove delightful to young and old alike. Though the premise makes it sound like it could be preachy, this cute children's story is anything but.
Ernest & Celestine -- a contender for this year's best animated film Oscar -- is pure delight.
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 90 User Ratings
7.7
86% Positive
77 Ratings
77 Ratings
7% Mixed
6 Ratings
6 Ratings
8% Negative
7 Ratings
7 Ratings
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 90 User Ratings
7.7
86% Positive
77 Ratings
77 Ratings
7% Mixed
6 Ratings
6 Ratings
8% Negative
7 Ratings
7 Ratings
Right after the first time I watched this movie, it became one of my favorite animated movies of this decade (the 2010s) and probably from 2013. The quality of the story and the script is in the level of some of Disney's or Pixar's best work: It's funny, it's emotional, it's heartwarming. I liked the artstyle, it looks like illustrations from a children's book.
I know that the message this movie gives can be misinterpreted as "Stealing is okay as long as you're different", but while it's true and I know that this movie's message can be easily misinterpreted, I didn't see it that way, I see it as a story of how prejudice and stereotypes can be harmful for our society and how it affects our main characters. Maybe this is not a movie intended just for little children (I honestly think they will find this movie boring) and I guess that to see this movie you need to already know that stealing is obviously wrong, it seems like you expect animated movies have to teach kids things that parents must teach to them.
This is an amazing movie and it's a shame that a movie like Frozen won the Academy Award instead.
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An enthralling tale of friendship that transcends biases, Ernest & Celestine offers a lovely lesson on acceptance and inclusion.
Ernest and Celestine is a modest, beautiful little children’s fable with a wise, grown-up heart.
A mouse and a bear defy social convention to forge a friendship in this lovely, charming and Oscar-nominated French animated feature (now available dubbed into English with the voices of Forest Whitaker and other notables).
This is a film your preschooler will sit through, and attentively. Better yet, parents who appreciate the artistry of a well-made animated film also stand to be swept up in what is a delightful little tale.
So enchanting it feels like a dream, and so simple but still so powerful. Clever, wry, nostalgic (sepia-like) and meaningful. I've fallen in love with this beautiful movie; totally recommended for audiences of all kinds and ages.
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There's already a review that states exactly what I'm going to say (WatermarkShaun) but I feel like I should still add my own about this movie.
Animation is awesome, actually I could say one of the best I've ever seen 10/10 without blinking an eye.
Music is really good too, no problems going 9/10 or even more there.
But as WatermarkShaun wrote in his/her review the message of the movie (the whole movie feels like a tale, so probably the message is the most important part) is totally wrong: you can steal, break, ruin other people lives and simply get away as a free man just because you're "different" (or at least part of a "minority").
Sorry for the comparison, but it's like if a black guy (or anyway part of any minority) caught for robbery gets away free admitting the guilt but stating you persecute him just because he's black.
Well, I could add things but that's actually what this movie is: a gorgeous animated artwork supported by really good music that you can't let your children watch, ever (I don't recommend for you either, but well, the animation is a piece of art).
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While enjoying Metacritic for years, I've only enjoyed other peoples reviews instead of participating. After taking others up on advice to see Ernest & Célestine, I had to create an account to add my two cents.
What a complete disappointment. I've re-read others comments now that I've seen it - and can't imagine that we saw the same film. Here are a few of my comments after watching.
Animation
Animation style is purely subjective, but I didn't care at all for the animation style. Others described it as a wonderful watercolor bliss; I saw it as, while indeed lovingly drawn, quite basic. I realize that it's difficult to compare computer-assisted Pixar films and the like (although many other reviews certainly put them in the same class), I don't feel they belong even in the same class as famous Japanese animated films Spirited Away, My Neighbor Totoro, and Akira. To me, although not the slick presentation of a Pixar film, they still captured magic and nuance in a different way that transcended the medium. E&C however didn't even come close. But that's my opinion. Watch the trailer and determine for yourself if you like that style or not.
Message
The message - the way I interpreted it - actually makes me mad. And I don't get offended easily. One reviewer said "Ernest & Celestine delivers a sweet message that should prove delightful to young and old alike." Sweet message? Here's my take on what the message of the film is: You can steal when you are hungry, you can break in to multiple family shops and destroy the lives of others around you - but if you are a cute little mouse that goes against the "norm" and wants to live with a bear - love is all that matters and all should be forgiven. I'm not sure how you can take away any other message than that. While love is indeed wonderful - and often good to challenge social norms, responsibility is critically important - and completely lost on the story. It's a horrible message - one that I would not want my children to see.
Could you extract any good message from it? Sure you could. But you could do that with ANY film. I try to "sleep on it" after seeing a film - just to see if I have a different reaction after it has "soaked in" a bit. This one just made me more and more upset. Which is a shame, because I'm certain this was not the film makers intentions. Not being familiar with the original story, I can't say how much it matches the original, either. Others certainly loved it - although I get the impression most were familiar with the story.
For me, it was a waste of money - one that I would not even see again if a free copy was given to me. And certainly not the 100 rating that so many others gave it. 100 means there is nothing better. Tell me that you have not seen other films that are better than this one, and I'll tell you you need to get out more.
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Production Company
La Parti Productions,
Les Armateurs,
Maybe Movies,
Mélusine Productions,
StudioCanal
Release Date Feb 28, 2014
Duration 1 h 20 m
Rating PG
Tagline Bonnie and Clyde, Sid and Nancy... (US release)
Awards
Academy Awards, USA
• 1 Nomination
Annie Awards
• 6 Nominations
Magritte Awards, Belgium
• 3 Wins & 3 Nominations
