When the legendary Guillermo del Toro deems a movie as “a landmark in Mexican Stop-Motion animation and a true triumph of vision, tenacity, and love for the craft,” it’s hard not to feel immediately compelled to watch it. As the first-ever Mexican stop-motion animation from brothers Arturo and Roy Ambriz, I Am Frankelda shines as a breathtaking narrative about the importance of telling stories. Vibrant and enticing from start to finish, it’s not a feature to be missed.
With phenomenal voice acting from Mireya Mendoza, Arturo Mercado Jr., Luis Leonardo Suarez, and the whole cast, it’s a stunning musical feature that’s going to stay with viewers for the depth of its message and the brightness in its world-building. If you love movies like Coco and dark elements of The Nightmare Before Christmas, then you’re sure to appreciate all that I Am Frankelda has to offer. It’s also got a bit of Labyrinth, which feels cosmic considering the film’s 40th anniversary is this year.
“It’s hard to be mad when it feels like you’re a part of something big.” That’s one of the first opening quotes in the movie, and how it becomes an ode to storytelling is no small feat throughout. Narratively, I Am Frankelda does a brilliant job of showcasing what it means to use the voice that we’re given and tell the stories that are leaping straight out of our hearts. In a day and age of theft and colossal damage left by AI, stories like this become more powerful by the second. They’re not only necessary, but they’re everything to remind us that what comes from the heart will always have a bigger impact than the soulless slop from robots.
With a strong narrative and breathtaking animation at the center, it shines as a gorgeous feat that’s genuinely rewarding. While slight pacing issues slow down right before the third act, it’s not a big deal compared to the work of art we’re watching unfold on our screens. In addition, with an exceptional score, the emotions with the voice acting come alive with inimitable nuance.
By the end, you’re left with so much inspiration that it easily becomes the type of movie you’ll want to revisit years from now just to see if you’ll get anything new from it. It’s got something for everyone, and while some elements might not be suitable for younger kids, it’s a gorgeous feast for the eyes, regardless to watch with the whole family. More than anything, it’s a triumph in animation, reminding us that where there’s spirit and a drive for storytelling, the time that’s put into creating something monumental will always be reflective in the final product of the film.
From beginning to end, it’s clear that authenticity is at the center of the film, making it a gorgeous love letter to agency, culture, and the art of storytelling that transcends time. It’s proof of why stories stay with us all because people chose to be brave enough to continue writing, and if that’s not beautiful, then I don’t know what is.
I Am Frankelda premieres on June 12, exclusively on Netflix.
First Featured Image Credit: ©Netflix