Luca
Released on Disney+ Aug 18, 2021
Runtime: 1 Hour 35 Minutes
Rated PG
Luca, is set on the beautiful Italian Riviera and is all about summer adventures, friendship, and being a good friend (even if your friend turns out to be a sea monster). The story starts out a bit like the Little Mermaid, in that the main character, Luca, finds some nicknacks from the human world and gets interested in visiting the surface. He meets an orphan named Alberto (also a sea monster) and the two become best friends. Their obsession with Vespas leads them to spending several days inventing their own scooters and crashing them. They eventually get brave enough to enter the human city near by in which they meet a new friend (Giulia), enter a triathlon, tango with a bully, beat the bully, and have other misadventures. It very much feels like a feel good, 80s coming of age movie.
Themes:
Themes in the movie include friendship, abandonment, jealously, bullying, betrayal, hiding things about oneself, summer fun, cheating, loyalty, freedom, over protective parents, and competition. Giulia’s dad only has one arm, which could be a good talking point with younger children. Running away also comes up in the movie.
Language:
I didn’t catch any curse words. There is some name calling (losers, jerk, crazy, imbecile, trash, vagrant, etc.). The boys learn the phrase, “what’s wrong with you stupido” and thinking its a human greeting use it on a few people….which ends hilariously.
Stuff to be aware of:
There is a really mean bully in the movie that is a bit older than the other kids. He is a jerk and the closest thing the movie has to an antagonist. Also, Luca has an uncle that shows up early in the film that is a bit scary looking. He is made to look like an anglerfish. He has a translucent body that allows you to see his organs. He has crazy eyes, a glowing antenna, and sharp teeth. He is only in the movie for about five minutes in a humorous scene, but he might scare younger children. Google Uncle Ugo if you want to check him out.
Overall:
This movie is a lot of fun! I really enjoyed it. It is not heavy on plot, but the characters and situations make it really enjoyable. It kind of reminded me of movies form my childhood like Sandlot and The Little Rascals. It is really all about two best friends having a great summer together and realizing that maybe what they are looking for can be found in what they all ready have. It’s a winner in my book!