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At least that's what this Norwegian animated film for kids promises to deliver. This is actually the third film in a series set in the titular town, featuring anthropomorphic farm animals, but the focus is mostly on Clara, a very resourceful calf. This one borrows some elements from Agatha Christie's novels as Clara and his friend Gavin set out to investigate the theft of a special "super-seed" that was supposed to help with their crops.
The clearest inspiration is Murder on the Orient Express, down to the title, as the film is set mostly on a train where some of the Cattle Hill residents were to meet Albert, a pig that developed the aforementioned "super-seed". So when the seed is stolen, all of the passengers become suspects. Enter Agatha Christensen, a rabbit detective hired by Albert to solve the case.
Obviously this was something I put up for the kids and just sat down to watch with them. They enjoyed it, although probably not as much as other films they've seen. It doesn't seem to be one of those that sticks with them, but it was good enough to pass the time for them. As for me, I would say it was mildly entertaining. The animation is good, and the whodunit angle is effective for most of the run.
I do think that, even at 70 minutes, the film seems to be pushing to get there. I feel like they could've cut 20 minutes and it would've worked better. There are also a couple of twists in that last act, but one or two of them didn't work that well for me. Still, there is enough mystery and enough action to keep the kids entertained. Whether that amounts to a "wonderful time", I don't think so.
Grade:
A MYSTERY ON THE CATTLE HILL EXPRESS
(2023, Ashurst)
(2023, Ashurst)
"♪ Having such a wonderful time, when we're out solving crime ♫"
At least that's what this Norwegian animated film for kids promises to deliver. This is actually the third film in a series set in the titular town, featuring anthropomorphic farm animals, but the focus is mostly on Clara, a very resourceful calf. This one borrows some elements from Agatha Christie's novels as Clara and his friend Gavin set out to investigate the theft of a special "super-seed" that was supposed to help with their crops.
The clearest inspiration is Murder on the Orient Express, down to the title, as the film is set mostly on a train where some of the Cattle Hill residents were to meet Albert, a pig that developed the aforementioned "super-seed". So when the seed is stolen, all of the passengers become suspects. Enter Agatha Christensen, a rabbit detective hired by Albert to solve the case.
Obviously this was something I put up for the kids and just sat down to watch with them. They enjoyed it, although probably not as much as other films they've seen. It doesn't seem to be one of those that sticks with them, but it was good enough to pass the time for them. As for me, I would say it was mildly entertaining. The animation is good, and the whodunit angle is effective for most of the run.
I do think that, even at 70 minutes, the film seems to be pushing to get there. I feel like they could've cut 20 minutes and it would've worked better. There are also a couple of twists in that last act, but one or two of them didn't work that well for me. Still, there is enough mystery and enough action to keep the kids entertained. Whether that amounts to a "wonderful time", I don't think so.
Grade: