This new animated film from Spanish language Studio 100 Film and directed by Gonzalo Gutierrez, takes the world renowned tale of Don Quixote – a nomad who envisions the world in a better light than what it actually is by dreaming up a better one.

For the modern day audience, this has been brought forward using animation transplanted to a near modern day landscape with a direct descendant of Quixote again imagining a world full of monsters only he can see.

The animation not dissimilar to Illumination – which gave us the Despicable Me franchise – is energetic and lively but it is the characterisation of the characters which let the film down.

Our hero, Alfonso, is a bit weak for a hero despite a chivalrous streak that runs within him. Pancho, his neighbour, starts off as a bully who does not care for our hero. He is less of a sidekick and more of a dead weight; sharing none of his father's scientific intellect. The best realised role is that of Victoria – a young girl of ambition – whose influence saves the day on more than one occasion. In this instance, she resembles Cindy Lou from The Grinch, whose similar drive was in comparison to that of the eponymous character in that film

There is a middle of the road soundtrack – much like Adam Levine's work on the Paw Patrol feature length film – that is non-diegetic and non-descriptive. However, there remains an energy to the animation and the story does move along, with neat nods to Henry Selick's design in the adult's of this world. The villain, Carrasco, who seeks to buy up land so he can build a big theme park in his own honour is a familiar trope of a little man with big dreams who is as silly as his ideas of domination.

His plan of creating the rain and storms that drives out the local inhabitants is a subliminal comment on global warming being (solo) man made. However, the threat of huge populations being displaced followed by deforestation and the disruption of the social hegemony is something that will be lost on children. Putting our heroes in the throes of a machine with jaws is far more effective to elicit danger.

Positives of the film is that it does love Alfonso's imagination and this is a very colourful film whose vibrancy reminded this viewer of How To Train Your Dragon's palette. That along with a sentimental tone about family and community is a reassuring message.

Nevertheless for all its flaws is a pleasing way to pass an eighty minute run-time that children will enjoy with its sense of adventure and thrills.

Podcast