‘Orion and the Dark’, a Pixar production from Dreamworks and Netflix, shines out more than other recent Pixar movies. It beautifully elevates the seemingly impossible into the realm of the human in a way that echoes the clarity from Prime Pixar notebooks like ‘Inside Out’ and ‘Toy Story.’ The good news is that instead of merely copying the successful formula of other Pixar favorites, it builds upon a template. It certainly hits familiar chords, but it works because it seamlessly weaves a unique understanding of the heartfelt narrative with a boy who just wants to feel safe in the world.
With fast-paced character design, entertaining dialogues, and positive messages, ‘Orion and The Dark’ is a delightful surprise for Netflix viewers in the early part of the year. You don’t need to know that the person behind ‘Orion and The Dark’ also wrote ‘Adaptation’ or that ‘Being John Malkovich’ might help you understand that the script is a bit off-center for a family film. It’s not every day that you come across a cartoon referencing David Foster Wallace or Saul Bellow. And that’s just in the introduction.
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Journeying into the Heart of ‘Orion and The Dark’: A Masterful Beginning Filled with Fears, Family, and an Animated Twist. Exploring the Depths of Orion’s Insecurities and the Unique Dynamic between Light and Dark.
In this clever beginning, which is almost a short film in itself, Charlie Kaufman and director Sean charmatz introduce the audience to Orion (Jacob Tremblay), a primary school kid who is scared of almost everything. Bullies, bees, towering buildings – you name it, he’s thought about its terrifying nature. And the thing he fears the most is something ordinary, a developmental thing called ‘The Dark.’
“Carla gugino and Matt delapina, Orion’s loving parents, tried to reassure him one night that everything is secure.. Orion’s encounter with the literal darkness is voiced by the great Paul Walter Hauser, who delivers a beautiful performance that transforms a singing display into something profound. Throughout the film, it’s his insecurity that reminds us how high an actor can elevate an animated film when they don’t just see it as an easy gig. He clearly contemplated the arc of something seemingly impossible and executed it by building a foundation around that arc.
What if the Dark was somewhat like Orion? It fears being overlooked and unnecessary in the world. Eventually, everyone loves the Light (voiced by Ike Barinholtz here), portrayed as superheroes from Superman to Batman – more overtly brave and less naturally anxious. The Dark decides the best way to stop Orion from being afraid of him is to essentially ‘pull’ him into his world by taking his child to work day, showcasing how the night operates globally. He introduces his child to Sweet Dreams (Angela Bassett), Sleep (Natasha Demetriou from ‘What We Do in the Shadows’), Unexplained Noises (Golda Rosheuvel), Insomnia (Nat Faxon), and Quiet (Aparna Nancherla).
Here, Charmatz’s production starts to feel somewhat like ‘Inside Out’ – these elements work together behind the curtain like the emotions of that Pixar darling – but ‘Orian and The Dark’ never quite resonates like a symphony. It just makes a parallel lane rather than embracing its uniqueness. “One way Kaufman chooses to do this is by embedding a story within a story.
After a little while, ‘Orion and The Dark’ returns to unveil an adult version of the character (Colin Hanks) who recounts a terrifying bedtime story about the Dark to his daughter. Did it really happen, or is he acting this way to dispel her fears with his darkness? How can his kid take this story and make it her own? It’s a place where little ones might get a bit bewildered, but Kaufman and charmatz thread the needle again, letting their film turn and twist without losing emotional threads and authenticity.
Beyond the horizon, there are many shots of Orion and Dark zipping across, and some musical choices that don’t quite work for me. Believe it or not, it also comes off as when the Dark finds his emotional arc, and both Orion and his future daughter become heroes, the abundance of ideas feels overwhelming. It almost feels like all the concepts of an entire TV season crammed into one script. When was the last time you saw a new cartoon and felt like so much was happening in a single film? It was probably a Pixar flick.”
Best animated movies of Pixar’s studio.
Prepare yourself for a joyful journey of Pixar’s masterpieces in animation. Meet characters who feel like old friends, laugh until your sides ache, and maybe shed a tear or two. So, grab some popcorn, settle in, and let the magic of Pixar whisk you away on a truly human journey through animation wonderland!
Some of the best movies of Pixar’s studio are
- Toy story
- Up
- Orion and the dark
- Finding nemo
- Inside out
- The incredibles
Animated movies are like a magical escape into worlds where imagination knows no bounds. They take us to cool places with funny characters and exciting adventures. It’s not just for little ones; even grown-ups can’t resist the fun! These movies are like a special treat for our eyes and hearts. So, grab some snacks, get comfy, and let the animated fun begin.