There are films that hit you over the head with its message and for children’s flicks, particularly animated ones, that is not the way to go if you want to reach our youngest film fans. UglyDolls smartly takes another route and it is one that is incredibly effective in making a point, and honestly—changing views and in turn, lives.
UglyDolls is out now on DVD, Blu-Ray and digital download formats. It charmingly (and musically with the most catchy soundtrack one could ask for) tells the story of a world where the cast-offs in the toy manufacturing world are sent off to their own (segregated, no other way to put it) place where they are stuck living with their “own kind.” See, here there are only good-looking toys and ugly ones. Missing an eye or the stitching is a bit off? You get a one-way ticket to Uglyville. Meanwhile, at the other end of the spectrum, the perfect folks that have all their parts in place, their appearance (hair, matching colored eyes, etc.) is top notch and their easiness on the eyes gets them everything they want in life—the complete opposite of the UglyDolls.
What is so joyous about director Kelly Asbury’s film is that it makes an incredible point and does so in the most subtle, entertaining and enlightening of ways. As such, it will reach countless children whose own personal experience may lie on either side of this spectrum. Both the child who feels a bit off and the one who may be inclined to pick on someone who is different, will emerge from the UglyDolls experience a better person and better equipped to handle what it means to be different and to appreciate the fact that what makes us diverse and unique is truly what makes us great.
Our entry into this world (and message) is Moxy (Kelly Clarkson, delightful beyond belief) and her pals as they come face-to-face with what it means to be different. Over the course of the film, they learn that one does not have to be perfect to be appreciated, adored and above all else—worthy of everything that comes along with that. The film gets its inspiration from the international plush craze that gave us the UglyDoll characters that were crafted by David Horvath and Sun-Min Kim. I relished the entire film experience and even as an adult, it had an effect. Certainly, by this point in life, one would hope, that most mature people would have a handle on that sentiment about diversity equaling awesomeness. But as we’ve seen with headlines these last few years, that is sadly not the case. If it sounds like we all could use a little refresher course on what it means to be a human being, we do and might we suggest that when you press “play” for your kiddos to watch this flick, you do as well.
The word empowerment comes to mind as well when thinking about this film and who couldn’t use a little empowerment?! In UglyVille, the “weirder” you are, the more appreciated you are as well. When Moxy and her pals discover the little hamlet of Perfection (a town where dolls are valued because of their attractiveness, all involved gets to confront what it means to be different and how that plays into the desire we all must be loved.
Clarkson leads and all-star, musically magnificent, cast that also includes Joe Jonas, Pitbull, Ice-T, Black Shelton, Wanda Sykes, Gabriel Iglesias, Emma Roberts, Jane Lynch, Natalie Martinez, Charli XCX and one of our absolute faves—Janelle Monáe (Hidden Figures). The soundtrack is comprised of some seriously toe-tapping gems from Clarkson, Jonas, Monáe, Shelton and Mr. Worldwide, Pitbull.
When it comes to bonus features, The Movie Mensch scored the “sing-along” version and it is an utter treat. If you bring this puppy home for your kiddos, expect them to (before long) to want that “sing-along” element to be turned on every time so that the lyrics appear on the screen and they can sing along. You’ll have your own little karaoke stars!
When it comes to behind-the-scenes featurettes, Making UglyDolls is a five-part look at how this joyously jamming and inspirational flick came together. First off, BTS Countdown introduces the film’s voice cast and it is taken a step further by Couldn’t Be Better—which looks at the characters that the voice-over artists portray. Then, there’s the charming Broken and Beautiful. It finds Clarkson (whose joy is infectious throughout the entire film and the featurettes) extoling the virtues of singing Broken and Beautiful that may be the most impactful aspect of the entire cinematic experience. The Ugly Truth finds Jonas discussing his role and how this character is not someone we should aspire to be like and in fact, how he represents what is wrong with this world (and as such, the world we live in as well). He also chimes in on what it meant to him to perform his character’s (Lou) theme song. Lastly, there’s Pitbull … and one guess what that featurette focuses on! The pop/hip-hop star talks about his experience tackling his character and the themes of the film that clearly resonated with him.
Then, there’s another five-part featurette, Fun with the Cast of UglyDolls, that is equally as awesome as the first five-parter. Would You Rather has the ensemble answering some either/or questions that is just pure fun. Cast Talents features the cast talking about their own secret talents that is surprisingly fun. An unexpected joy arrives in the form of Kelly’s Gifts. The Grammy winner scores a box and basket full of toys from the movie, including her character! It’s pure blissful fun. Kelly’s Reaction is an interesting featurette that is one we have never seen before and would be fascinating to witness. It features the singer watching the movie for the first time on a laptop. Who wouldn’t want to see that on other features?!
A humorous featurette (that is too short, we wanted more!) is Ready, Set, Draw. It is a hilarious look at the performers “attempting” to draw the characters that they inhabit. Let’s just say that many of them should stick to their day job and leave the animation to the animators!
Film Grade: B
Bonus Features: B