Film Reviews

Niko And The Way To The Stars

• Rating:
• Director: Kari Juusonen
• Starring: Aileen Mythen
• Details: Finland/Germany/Denmark/Ireland / 80mins (G).

Niko is a young reindeer with dreams of joining Santa's Flying Forces - an elite, jock-like group of reindeers who fly the jolly guy's sled. Told by his mother that his father is one of the Flying Forces, Niko, along with his squirrel father figure Julius, makes the long trek to Santa's Grotto where he hopes to get those much needed flying lessons from his long lost father. However, with a pack of hungry wolves tracking them, their adventure becomes ever more dangerous with each step.

This European animation (thankfully dubbed into English) is a cuddly, innocent and sweet adventure aimed at the very, very young. With Santa, Christmas, flying reindeers, wolves that pose enough menace to be a threat without being really scary, and a nice 'believe in yourself and your dreams will come through' message in the mix - what's not to like? Older kids used to 'busier' Pixar/Dreamworks/Disney animation with tons of pop culture references and tunes that were popular for five minutes ten years ago, might find Niko and the Way to the Stars a little slight and the story too simple to hold their attention, but there's no doubting that younger viewers will find magic and wonder in everything that's happening on screen. The opening volley of Christmas movies has arrived, and it's a good 'un.

Review by Gavin Burke