A One Mann’s Movies review of “Damsel” (2024).
Whoever thought in the 60’s that reading kids some of the classic Grimm Fairy Tales before they went to bed was a good idea? Well, my parents – and many others – thought so. By comparison, kids today feel cossetted to death. (“Ooh, do you think this David Walliams story might be a bit scary for little Johnny??”) These were thoughts that came to me on watching “Damsel”, which has been streaming now for a couple of months on Netflix. Parents may wish to pre-watch this one before plonking their more sensitive young children in front of the box for this one!
Bob the Movie Man Rating:
Plot Summary:
Times are hard for Elodie (Millie Bobby Brown) and the northern kingdom where they live. The people are starving, the coffers are empty and winter is coming. But hope comes from an unexpected source when her father Lord Bayford (Ray Winstone) is offered an arranged marriage with a Prince Henry (Nick Robinson) from a prosperous other kingdom. But the betrothal comes with a catch.
Certification:
UK: 12; US: PG-13. (From the BBFC web site: “Injury detail, threat, violence”.
Talent:
Starring: Millie Bobby Brown, Ray Winstone, Robin Wright, Angela Bassett, Milo Twomey, Brooke Carter, Nick Robinson, Shohreh Aghdashloo.
Directed by: Juan Carlos Fresnadillo
Written by: Dan Mazeau.
Twitter Handle: #Damsel.
Running Time: 1h 50m.
A royal engagement. Prince Henry (Nick Robinson), Queen Isabelle (Robin Wright) and Elodie (Millie Bobby Brown). (Source: Netflix).
“Damsel” Review:
Positives:
- Dark and twisted tale that entertains throughout.
- Genuinely exciting action sequences.
- Good special effects.
Negatives:
- Millie Bobbie Brown is a bit wooden.
- Script relies on Elodie talking to herself rather too much.
- Some rather dodgy dragon physics!
A journey into the unknown. Elodie (Millie Bobby Brown) and her sister Floria (Brooke Carter). (Source: Netflix).
Review of “Damsel”:
A WTF Moment
This is a surprisingly entertaining fairy-tale romp. But don’t let the phrase “fairy-tale”, or indeed the first half-hour of the film, be an indicator of its suitability for your brood. For if you go into this without prior knowledge, you may delight in the first 35 minutes: a wonderful kingdom, a handsome prince and his beautiful bride-to-be; a fairy tale wedding. But at that 35 minute point, there is a genuine “WTF!” moment and the story dives into the very darkest recesses of Grimm’s Tales. There is violence, gore and genuine peril ahead for our young heroine which will utterly delight more hardened members of the junior audience and completely freak out others, who may be watching from behind the sofa! Parents beware!
A Wooden Brown Talks to Herself
Millie Bobbie Brown stars as the heroine since – yes – this is yet another film where heroines (or in these woke times, should that be ‘female heroes’?) win out against overwhelming odds. Brown has a lot of appeal for younger audiences (and in her quirky “Enola Holmes” movies she is very good). Here, in a more straight acting role, I’m afraid she came across to me as quite wooden. In order to convey her thoughts, Elodie is continuing to voice her inner thoughts, which I found a bit tiresome. (Not that I don’t chatter away to myself too when I’m alone in the house!)
In supporting roles are Robin Wright and Angela Bassett as the groom and bride’s mother respectively.
Action that Excites
The action scenes within the cave complex are genuinely exciting and well-done. A young audience will, I’m sure, be gripped with Elodie’s fight for survival and feel her despair when her escape comes to a precipitous stop. The special effects of the dragon are well done and her voice (voiced by Shohreh Aghdashloo) is genuinely chilling. Some of the effects are genuinely gory and the stuff of nightmares for sensitive kids.
Dragon Physics!
Not withstanding the biology of how a creature of the size of that dragon manages to survive on the occasional crispy princess, I also had issues with the physics involved. A dragon capable of generating and then breathing fire will have insides capable of withstanding burns. And yet….
Summary Thoughts on “Damsel”
I went into this with low expectations. I was expecting it to be grim… then it was Grimm… and much better! I found myself really quite enjoying it. I’ve seen comment on social media that the story is “rubbish”, but I disagree: it’s not very novel, but it flows pleasantly. The film has a few rough edges for sure, but as a bit of sword and sorcery type fantasy aimed at early teens, it’s surprisingly entertaining. “Damsel” is currently streaming on Netflix.
Where to Watch it (Powered by Justwatch)
Trailer for “Damsel”:
The Netflix trailer is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iM150ZWovZM . This obviously features the ‘dark twist’, so if you really want to enjoy it, don’t watch the trailer!
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