Check out Kidzworld’s movie review of the new animated film Smallfoot. What if Yetis (Bigfoot) existed but didn’t believe humans did? Could the two species co-exist? How funny is the journey to find out?
By: Lynn Barker
In Smallfoot, we are high in the Himalayas where a tribe of Bigfoot critters simply don’t believe that humans (of the small feet) exist. When Migo (voice of Channing Tatum) sees a Smallfoot parachuting from a crashing plane, he tells the tribe but leader the Stonekeeper (voiced by Common) and most of the group don’t believe him. Some secretly do (members of the S.E.S… Smallfoot Evidentiary Society). They help Migo get to the land below (which isn’t supposed to exist) to prove that “Smallfeet” are real. Will he be banished forever or prove they do?
Migo sees a human Smallfoot for the first timeCourtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures
Strange Beliefs
Happy Bigfeet (a.k.a. Yetis) live by a strict set of rules dictated by “The Stones”. The tribe believes that they were squeezed out of the butt of a great Sky Yak, they live on the back of wooly mammoths that must be fed ice every day, and there is nothing below the high cloud cover at their feet, especially not a world filled with Smallfeet creatures. Migo’s dad Dorgle (Danny DeVito) is the gong ringer. The Yeti believe that the sun is a giant, glowing snail that has to be awakened each morning by the gong ringer being launched headfirst by a big slingshot into a gong… ouch! This will one day be Migo’s fate. Oh joy!
Migo tells Stonekeeper he saw a SmallfootCourtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures
Smallfoot Sighting
Practicing his gong launch, Migo gets distracted by the Stonekeeper’s pretty daughter Meechee (voice of Zendaya), overshoots and ends up on the edge of the mountain where he witnesses a plane crash and a Smallfoot parachuting to safety. The creature runs when “it” sees Migo. When he reports the encounter to the tribe, Migo is denounced as a heretic and banished by the Stonekeeper from the Yeti community for contradicting its “rules” and beliefs. Sadly on his own, Migo discovers the secret Smallfoot Evidentiary Society, secretly led by Meechee (Zendaya). Among other members are purple Gwangi (LeBron James) and tiny, smart-ass Kolka (Gina Rodriguez).
Meechee and other believers are thrilled to see Smallfoot PercyCourtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures
The Land Below and Back
The society members help Migo down through the cloud cover to a land below where there is a whole town full of Smallfeet! He meets shady host of a TV nature show Percy Patterson (voice of James Corden) who fakes encounters with rare animals. His attempts to fake a Yeti (Bigfoot) sighting have failed miserably. Now here is a real Bigfoot.
Oh my gosh, they exist!Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures
After several unpleasant encounters with humans, Migo brings Percy up to the Yeti homestead to prove Smallfeet exist after all. This challenges core, time-honored Yeti beliefs and creates a real problem. Stonekeeper tells Migo the real reason behind the Yeti beliefs.. they were created to self-protect the Yeti against human enemies who wanted to hunt and kill them as proof that “Bigfoot” existed.
Migo brings Percy back to his tribe of YetisCourtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures
Police Barricade
Many tough encounters occur between Yeti, who go to the Land Below, and humans. There is even a big police barricade between the groups at one point. Do the Yeti keep believing in the lies that have kept the two species apart and protected Yeti from human harm or, on learning the truth, can the two “tribes” co-exist? Who will be harmed or threated along the way and can Migo be the leader of a new group of Yeti willing to let Mankind into their world?
Could the tribe be friends with humans below?Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures
Wrapping Up
Smallfoot is packed with cool voice actors you know like Channing Tatum, Zendaya, James Corden and LeBron James. Standouts are Channing who can actually sing and makes lead character Migo seem like an enthusiastic teen. Common does a great job as the severe, by-the-book leader of the tribe. James Corden as shady nature program host Percy sounds like he’s on speed, just too hyper but his song, a cover of the Queen/David Bowie song "Under Pressure" is funny fun. There is also a kick-butt rap by Common, playing severe village elder Stonekeeper.
Percy (James Corden) sings Under PressureCourtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures
Smallfoot presents a fun visual style of animation, although white, furry creatures against snow don’t stand out too well. There is lots of silly, impossible but fun action that reminds us of the old Looney Tunes cartoons. Coyote vs. the Roadrunner comes to mind. This should appeal to younger kids especially.
Let's compare feetCourtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures
The movie boasts a great theme and message for our times and for all ages: We should all not be afraid of or against those who are different from us. Just because a being is “different” doesn’t mean they are scary or have to be threatening. We can find common ground and practice tolerance. Maybe even learn something from each other. Corny? Maybe but certainly true and badly needed. Overall, Smallfoot is entertaining enough for us to give it four stars.
Smallfoot Movie Rating: 
Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures
See Smallfoot in theaters now!
Tell Us What You Think!
Do you hope Yeti (Bigfoot creatures) really exist? Would you be afraid of them or try to make friends? Are you a fan of any of the voice actors in this film? Share a comment below with other Kidzworld visitors. Or, you can write your own review on your Kidzworld Profile Page. Get pro-active and let everyone know what you think!
