Ferdinand (2017)

Ferdinand is special because it takes the loudest kind of animated hero—a massive bull—and makes him unforgettable by letting him be gentle, thoughtful, and stubbornly kind in a world that keeps demanding he prove himself through force. Carlos Saldanha fills the screen with sunny Spanish color, buoyant slapstick, and a surprisingly tender heart, while John Cena’s warm, sincere voice performance makes Ferdinand’s calm bravery feel earned rather than preachy. The movie’s vibe is bright and playful, but it isn’t afraid to brush up against real feelings about expectations, loss, and what it costs to be “tough,” all without ever turning grim. If you’re looking for a family film that’s funny, charming, and quietly encouraging about being yourself—even when everyone else is charging in the opposite direction—this one’s an easy recommendation, though viewers sensitive to bullfighting themes may find a few moments heavier than the trailer suggests.

Ferdinand is clearly aiming to be a big-hearted, kid-friendly message movie about choosing kindness over aggression, and it does have an earnest charm in its central idea. The problem is it pads a simple classic into a standard animated “escape and chase” formula, with noisy set pieces, hyperactive sidekicks, and jokes that can feel more PG-rude than genuinely clever. If you’re hoping for something as gentle and thoughtful as the original story, the frantic pacing and predictable beats may wear you down, and the sweetness can tip into syrup. That said, the animation is bright, the theme is easy for kids to grasp, and Ferdinand himself is a likable lead—just don’t expect subtle storytelling or much surprise.