REVIEW: The One and Only Ivan (2020)
“The One and Only Ivan” is the latest film to drop on Disney+ that was originally meant for theatrical release but here we are. Unlike the upcoming release of their much-anticipated remake of “Mulan,” this one didn’t come with a $30 price tag. Thankfully, it’s also not a clear-cut flop that the studio wants to pretend never happened (seemingly the case with failed YA franchise starter “Artemis Fowl”). A gorilla named Ivan is the main attraction of a shopping mall circus (didn’t know those existed until this movie). Raised in domestication by the good-hearted if eccentric ringmaster Mack, Ivan discovers he has a special gift that could lead the way for him and his friends’ release from captivity.
Adapted by “School of Rock”-scribe Mike White from the novel by Katherine Applegate (itself inspired by a true story), “The One and Only Ivan” is simple and fairly undemanding in terms of its story and overall tone. The film has an overwhelming sense of whimsy right down to the tinkly-tink, light horn musical score reminiscent of mid to late-90’s Disney fair, but the charm and humor actually share some fine similarities with Disney films of the 1960’s.
The computer-generated animals are fine enough, though not super impressive or groundbreaking. Still, they didn’t need to be anything more than what they are, nor are they as overexaggerated or aesthetically out-of-place as the CG dogs in this year’s “Call of the Wild.” Ivan himself looks fairly impressive, especially on close-up but of course gorillas are so expressive so there’s a lot to do there. On that note, Sam Rockwell is perfectly understated in the title role, delivering many entertaining inner monologues. Bryan Cranston channels a little bit of his own Hal from “Malcolm in the Middle” as well as a touch of old school Robin Williams zaniness as Mack. The various actors filling in the voiceover roles, such as Danny DeVito, Angelina Jolie, Helen Mirren, and young Brooklyn Prince as Ruby, are all quite good as well. Ivan’s scenes with Ruby (as well the human girl Julia, played by Arianna Gleenblatt) are particularly sweet.
The movie’s not without the usual Disney tearjerker moments or cutesy animal stuff. Without spoiling anything, I will say there is a parental death so it’s definitely a Disney film. Then again, what else would you expect at this point? The humor is pretty iffy at times and seems to be mostly tailored towards younger children with a fart joke thrown in here and there. One thing I found very strange is at the end credits we see the title card “Inspired by a True Story,” after which they then proceed to tell you EXACTLY what happened in the true story, almost in a way that the real story come across as more interesting than the actual film. Why show us what we could’ve seen? Then again, I understand it’s based on a children’s book that was inspired by said story and you needed the fantasy element to drawn the kids in. But still!
That aside, “The One and Only Ivan” is a fairly harmless and undemanding family film from Disney. Nothing about it is supremely insulting nor groundbreaking, but it’s simple enough that parents can just sit back and enjoy it with the little ones who will love the animal action, humor, and sense of whimsy. Nothing nauseating, but nothing spectacular. Just fine.
B-
