Horst in Translation (filmreviews@web.de)
"Jim Knopf und Lukas der Lokomotivführer" (based on Michael Ende's work of course) is a new German 105-minute movie from 2018 and the newest work by director Dennis Gansel who is most known for "Die Welle" probably and made his transition to Hollywood not too long ago. But here he returns to a German kids classic, namely a film that is based on a classic from the Augsburger Puppenkiste, so a little film starring string puppets from decades ago and a classic for many (not so young) Germans from their childhood. I am probably not even the biggest fan of said old project, but it was easy to appreciate this one here. You will find many familiar faces from the German acting branch, basically everybody except the boy in the center of the story. But he is just there anyway, does not need to bring range or character development as it is usually all about the characters that he and Lukas share the screen with. Lukas is played by Henning Baum and I am usually pretty hard on him, but he was fine here I believe. And same applies to the supporting actors Frier, Peschel, Herbst, the bullyparade boys etc. Also there is a big Asian cast here due to certain story twists. It's about a man and a boy taking a journey together and ending up in the most daring adventures and locations, like on their way to saving a young princess they have to get through a massive and dangerous mountainside, a devastating desert and eventually a dark valley with the danger to fall down into gigantic abysses. But of course they manage all these tasks and find out a lot more about themselves and each other than where they really are from and where they belong. And one example of how much of a success this movie is is that it managed something that usually only Pixar manages, like that they actually manage to depict an item in a way where it really felt like a creature, I am talking about the locomotive train Emma of course.I would say that the film lacked a bit in the comedy area, except really very early on at Lummerland, and also that not all the emotional and dramatic parts were successful, but the adventure component made more than up for it to be honest, so it is all good. And still like I said the fun early on is good enough and there are strong dramatic moments like the female dragon falling asleep near the very end and her farewell was pretty memorable. And then there is of course the visual side and in terms of costumes, makeup, cinematography, sets etc. this was really well-executed, almost too good for a kids movie. But that is also one reason why I think this is a film for grown-ups too. I myself am not a huge fan of the original, even if I don't dislike it, but it came pretty easy for me to enjoy this one here. If Gansel or anybody else ever plans to follow up to this one with a sequel, then I am definitely all ready for it. It's closer to 4 out of 5 for me than to 2 out of 5 without a doubt. It is fairly difficult to say something negative for me about this film. There were no major flaws and it was fun to watch from start to finish and I am positive that the young ones and the ones young at heart can definitely have a fun time seeing this one. It is not a short kids movie by any means, but it also never drags. Good stuff we got here. Finally, let me say that it's been too long for me since I saw the old original to really compare these two, but you can completely ignore this old one and just have a fun time with this new one. Go for it, especially if you are an English native speaker that loves Shirley MacLaine.
