DELGO

US, 2008, 94 minutes, Colour.
Voices of: Freddie Prinze Jr, Chris Kattan, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Anne Bancroft, Val Kilmer, Malcolm Mc Dowell, Michael Clarke Duncan, Louis Gossett Jr, Eric Idle, Burt Reynolds, Sally Kellerman.
Directed by Marc F. Adler and Jason Maurer.

Delgo was made by a small animation company in Atlanta, Georgia. The voices were recorded as early as 2005 (Anne Bancroft appearing as the villain Sedessa and dying in 2005). It was not released until 2008. It had very little publicity and the response by critics and public was poor.

The animation is quite well done, with imaginative landscapes. However, the characters look more like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles – and the story is a blend of Star Wars kinds of themes (and some anticipations of the world of Avatar).

The voice cast is extensive and very good.

However, the film may appeal only to younger children, but then might be frightening because of some of the battle sequences. Adult audiences may find it rather trying.

1. The impact of the film? The small production company? The lack of advertising and distribution? Deservedly or not?

2. The intended audience? Children? Adults?

3. The quality of the animation, the landscapes, the interiors, the action sequences? The visualising of the characters?

4. The voice cast, the blend of American and British accents? Characters, drama, comedy?

5. The title, the focus on Delgo, his growing up, his father, his becoming a teenager, his adventures, the encounter with Kyla? The false accusation, his friends, the escape, the rescue? Rallying the forces? The confrontation with the villains?

6. The Lockni and Nohrin peoples? The initial peace, the attack? Sedessa and her overstepping the orders of the king? The suppression of the tribe? Persecution? The difference between the two peoples – appearance? The flying people?

7. The kingdom, the king, his rule? Sedessa and her cruelty? Taking her wings? Her imprisonment? The years of peace?

8. Sedessa, the spies and traitors in the king’s court? Her plans, rallying an army? The contacts? Her ambitions, her return, the confrontation with the king, his imprisonment? The crown? The confrontation with Delgo? Her falling to her death?

9. The king, the court, the generals, the traitors?

10. The suppressed people, the uprising? Delgo and his leadership?

11. The many fight sequences? Between the generals, the traitors? Delgo? The battle sequences?

12. The popularity of this kind of story? The treatment here? The style, introducing the audience into a different world?