[MOVIE REVIEW] Ribbit

Yesterday I met with my bestfriend that I occasionally do a small reunion with every semester break. Somehow we were wondering on how to spend our time together and decided on watching movie to kill the time instead. So yeah here the journey begins :

Official Facebook here

You can watch the trailer here :

This movie is presented with two versions which are English-dubbed version with Malay-adaptation version starring different voice actors for each version. I had only watched the English version, and hence the review is solely regarding the english version.

As a whole, Ribbit is an easygoing animation movie where you can just sit back and relax throughout the movie without any worries or even having to literally scratch your head. As far as I know, this animation had won Best Family Film in Niagara Integrated Film Festival (Ontario,Canada). As the award suggests, this movie is bringing back the feelings of watching cartoons with siblings altogether as a child. In another way, while enjoying the movie it feels like watching television instead - and at times I do think it would be better to turn Ribbit into series so that it will be polished until its full potential.

Ribbit tells the story of a journey of poison-tree frog (formally : poison dart frog) with name similar to the title along with his best friend (?) Sandy, the squirrel to find his true identity. The identity crisis experienced by Ribbit, however,is being shown too much at certain parts without even explaining the core cause of the issue. It is only explained as hypnotising effect which is a bit frustating. The premise is not sold enough to be convincing for me.

The scripting of the movie is sometimes too focusing on its homour that it seems like its too intentional and puts aside the growth of the plot. The journey of Ribbit is seen as too easy eventhough he faced through many challenges. It is understandable for me as local viewer myself that homour aspect works in our own cinema, however it may be not enough to attract foreign movie-goers out there. Audiences are not being well-introduced to the Ribbit at the beginning and it made you wonder along the ride " Why I should concern for this frog right now ?". In my opinion, that is the MOST important thing that was left in the show. If this aspect is being managed well by scriptwriter and director, then the movie should be more successful and attractive than it was.

I will let this slide for now and move along to the graphic parts. The movie is running in lower budget compared to famous Disney works or international animation movies, however I applaud their effort for successfully made this movie into reality. The scene in Amazon forest is astoundingly beautiful and the colours of the nature especially the waterfalls are captivating my gaze continously as I watched the story. I also loved the little water waves in river everytime it come out on screen. It looks like the real water at times.

As for the background songs, there are two songs in the movie, which are Magical Moment (Az Yet & Jaclyn Victor) and Destiny(SuPreme feat. Felice LaZae). As expected from KRU Studios which is well-known for their genius composing and catchy tunes, the OSTs for this movie is quite good for ear candy to move along with Ribbit's journey. In another way, adding more musical aspect of this movie might be a good idea to pull the viewer's attraction and interest instead of only two songs.

Ribbit is one small 'frog hop' of Malaysian animation industry further into international market. I hope it can serves as benchmark and encouragement to other local animation studios to take steps further into the industry. Applauds to KRU Studios!

The making of :