Zambezia (2012)
Directed by Wayne Thornley
I mentioned in a prior post other animations popping up from studios other than the usual suspects (Disney and DreamWorks). This is one of them--Triggerfish Animation Studios. And the movie is great!
Image from www.zambeziamovie.com
Cabin fever is killing curious young falcon, Tai, but his father, Tendai wants the two of them to just stick to the area they currently reside in. Unfortunately for Tendai, a stork Gogo, her friend Tini and some eggs stop in breaking the monotony. Their sudden appearance makes Tai want to explore even more. The newcomers say they're going to an island called Zambezia, a safe heaven for all birds except for marabou. Weird thing is though Tai has never seen them before they seem to know Tendai.
When they leave, Tai decides to follow them, apologizing to his father but saying he has to do this. Tendai later decides to go after his son but overhears some marabou talking to Budzo, a large leguaan who eats eggs. They're teaming up and planning a coup d'etat over Zambezia! Unfortunately before Tendai can fly away to warn the citizens he's captured.
Meanwhile in Zambezia Tai is eager to join the Hurricanes, an elite group of flyers that patrols the city, offers citizens help, and keeps the area safe. He makes the cut to be a trainee and makes some new friends, Ezee and Zoe.
Zoe's father Sekhuru is informed of Tai's arrival in the city and asks Gogo if Tendai will be coming. Doesn't look like it.
On the day of Zambezia's Spring Celebration all the weaver birds are kidnapped by Marabou! Tai and the Hurricanes go after them. Thinking he can catch up with them, Tai breaks formation, but to no avail. Not being able to work with the team gets Tai in trouble. Then things get worse. Tai decides he'll go look around himself for the missing weavers. That night Ezee, Zoe and Tai sneak out even though Tai is grounded. They end up overhearing an evil plot between the marabou and Budzo about forcing the weavers to build a bridge across the water to Zambezia. The marabou will no longer be excluded and no one will be able to stop Budzo. It's a horribly evil team! Unfortunately Ezee gets hurt so Zoe flies back for help. This gets them in big trouble, and Tai is kicked off the Hurricanes.
Shortly afterwards a few more Maribou stop by. The Huriccanes leave in pursuit, however it's a trap!
They're caught in a net.
Meanwhile Tai is sulking and thinking of going back to his father's. Gogo is angry at hearing this and forces him to see Sekhuru. Gogo insists it's time for Tai to know the truth of his past, and his mother. Sekhuru agrees.
Long ago Tai's mother and father founded the Hurricanes to protect Zambezia. Zambezia came first. They were attacked by Budzo, who was stealing eggs. Sukhuru, Tendai, and Tai's mother gave it there all but were only able to save one egg. That eggs grew up to be Zoe. Sekhuru lost a wing, Budzo a toe, and Tai's mother lost her life. Tendai was overwhelmed by grief and left with baby Tai to find a new place to live. He wanted to live in a place where the strong didn't have to stick their necks out for the weak. He didn't want to have to suffer all these pains for what to him seemed like nothing. He wanted to be far from the island.
Inspired by the story, Tai insists they go search for Budzo's trail from the other night. Zoe, Tai and Gogo leave on their mission. Tai and Gogo don't find Budzo, but they find the weavers and Tendai, caged. They break them out and hear that the marabou and Budzo left long ago to put the plan in motion. With everyone free they head back to Zambezia. When they arrive it's too late! The marabou have just put down the woven bridge and Budzo begins to cross. When Budzo meets on the bridge with marabou leader Cecil he explains it's not just a coup d'etat for Zambezia, but he's double crossing the marabou too! Leguanns all over are rushing for the bridge.
With the Huriccanes still gone, Tendai and Tai take it upon themselves to do what they can. Tai convinces the marabou to side with them against the leguaans since they now have a common enemy.
Still searching, Zoe hears distant cries. It's the Huriccanes calling from help from the net! She finds them and frees them, then they rush back home.
On the island the birds are panicking. Budzo is heading for the eggs! Tai tries to raise morale and encourage everyone to do what they can to help keep their home safe. The Hurricanes return and the battle is heated. Birds are chucking watermelon at the bridge trying to stop the other leguaans, and Cecil is frantically trying to chew through the bridge. Eventually he makes it, and the only problem left is Budzo. The whole community is giving it their all. The Hurricanes have brought back the net they were on and use it on Budzo. Everyone is pulling the net or pushing the structure Budzo is on, trying to make him fall off the island. Finally he gives, and tumbles down. But Zoe's foot is caught in the net! As she falls with him, Tai dives to save her. They get dangerously close to the water, beyond the point any other bird is able to pull up in time. Tendai and Sukhuru fear they've lost their children, when Ezee's amazing eyesight spots them in the mists rising up. They return victorious.
Zambezia now welcome the marabou as part of their paradise, and the Hurricanes induct many new recruits, including Morton, distant cousin of Cecil who after year of vying for Cecil's love and attention finally gets it. Every bird is safe and happy.
Image from www.zambeziamovie.com
Nice amount of detailing. Even in dessert scenes, the animation doesn't seem spartan and cheap because of little details, like the sun passing through feathers. So nice! Not as crazy detailed as Legend of the Guardians, but pretty nice.
I also personally love all the difference accents going on. It's really fun. The audio, dialogue, foley, and music is wonderful.
This South African film stars the voice talents of stars from all over, including Leonard Nimoy! Crazy, right? If you're not strictly on a live-action diet, this film is soooo so worth a watch. It's littered with awesome live-action celebs that are actually doing quiet well with voice acting.
Mr. Nimoy and his character Sekhuru. Images from IMDB and https://www.facebook.com/zambeziamovie
Here's something else crazy, this amazing film is this animation studio's first work! Triggerfish Animation Studios has done commercials in the past, but with the success of their first movie, hopefully it'll be feature lengths from here on out. Zambezia had been in the works for six years, and it turned out great. Their next film, Khumba, is set to release this year. This having been their first feature film doesn't make Triggerfish a threat to the big dogs, but I enjoyed this film so much I'll gladly watch the next one, and I wouldn't be surprised if their studio became a new household name in the US.
There's been a handful of entertaining bird themed animations over the last several years--Surf's Up, Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga-Hoole, Happy Feet and more. If you enjoyed any of those films, this one won't dissappoint.
Directed by Wayne Thornley
I mentioned in a prior post other animations popping up from studios other than the usual suspects (Disney and DreamWorks). This is one of them--Triggerfish Animation Studios. And the movie is great!
Cabin fever is killing curious young falcon, Tai, but his father, Tendai wants the two of them to just stick to the area they currently reside in. Unfortunately for Tendai, a stork Gogo, her friend Tini and some eggs stop in breaking the monotony. Their sudden appearance makes Tai want to explore even more. The newcomers say they're going to an island called Zambezia, a safe heaven for all birds except for marabou. Weird thing is though Tai has never seen them before they seem to know Tendai.
When they leave, Tai decides to follow them, apologizing to his father but saying he has to do this. Tendai later decides to go after his son but overhears some marabou talking to Budzo, a large leguaan who eats eggs. They're teaming up and planning a coup d'etat over Zambezia! Unfortunately before Tendai can fly away to warn the citizens he's captured.
Meanwhile in Zambezia Tai is eager to join the Hurricanes, an elite group of flyers that patrols the city, offers citizens help, and keeps the area safe. He makes the cut to be a trainee and makes some new friends, Ezee and Zoe.
Zoe's father Sekhuru is informed of Tai's arrival in the city and asks Gogo if Tendai will be coming. Doesn't look like it.
On the day of Zambezia's Spring Celebration all the weaver birds are kidnapped by Marabou! Tai and the Hurricanes go after them. Thinking he can catch up with them, Tai breaks formation, but to no avail. Not being able to work with the team gets Tai in trouble. Then things get worse. Tai decides he'll go look around himself for the missing weavers. That night Ezee, Zoe and Tai sneak out even though Tai is grounded. They end up overhearing an evil plot between the marabou and Budzo about forcing the weavers to build a bridge across the water to Zambezia. The marabou will no longer be excluded and no one will be able to stop Budzo. It's a horribly evil team! Unfortunately Ezee gets hurt so Zoe flies back for help. This gets them in big trouble, and Tai is kicked off the Hurricanes.
Shortly afterwards a few more Maribou stop by. The Huriccanes leave in pursuit, however it's a trap!
They're caught in a net.Meanwhile Tai is sulking and thinking of going back to his father's. Gogo is angry at hearing this and forces him to see Sekhuru. Gogo insists it's time for Tai to know the truth of his past, and his mother. Sekhuru agrees.
Long ago Tai's mother and father founded the Hurricanes to protect Zambezia. Zambezia came first. They were attacked by Budzo, who was stealing eggs. Sukhuru, Tendai, and Tai's mother gave it there all but were only able to save one egg. That eggs grew up to be Zoe. Sekhuru lost a wing, Budzo a toe, and Tai's mother lost her life. Tendai was overwhelmed by grief and left with baby Tai to find a new place to live. He wanted to live in a place where the strong didn't have to stick their necks out for the weak. He didn't want to have to suffer all these pains for what to him seemed like nothing. He wanted to be far from the island.
Inspired by the story, Tai insists they go search for Budzo's trail from the other night. Zoe, Tai and Gogo leave on their mission. Tai and Gogo don't find Budzo, but they find the weavers and Tendai, caged. They break them out and hear that the marabou and Budzo left long ago to put the plan in motion. With everyone free they head back to Zambezia. When they arrive it's too late! The marabou have just put down the woven bridge and Budzo begins to cross. When Budzo meets on the bridge with marabou leader Cecil he explains it's not just a coup d'etat for Zambezia, but he's double crossing the marabou too! Leguanns all over are rushing for the bridge.
With the Huriccanes still gone, Tendai and Tai take it upon themselves to do what they can. Tai convinces the marabou to side with them against the leguaans since they now have a common enemy.
Still searching, Zoe hears distant cries. It's the Huriccanes calling from help from the net! She finds them and frees them, then they rush back home.
On the island the birds are panicking. Budzo is heading for the eggs! Tai tries to raise morale and encourage everyone to do what they can to help keep their home safe. The Hurricanes return and the battle is heated. Birds are chucking watermelon at the bridge trying to stop the other leguaans, and Cecil is frantically trying to chew through the bridge. Eventually he makes it, and the only problem left is Budzo. The whole community is giving it their all. The Hurricanes have brought back the net they were on and use it on Budzo. Everyone is pulling the net or pushing the structure Budzo is on, trying to make him fall off the island. Finally he gives, and tumbles down. But Zoe's foot is caught in the net! As she falls with him, Tai dives to save her. They get dangerously close to the water, beyond the point any other bird is able to pull up in time. Tendai and Sukhuru fear they've lost their children, when Ezee's amazing eyesight spots them in the mists rising up. They return victorious.
Zambezia now welcome the marabou as part of their paradise, and the Hurricanes induct many new recruits, including Morton, distant cousin of Cecil who after year of vying for Cecil's love and attention finally gets it. Every bird is safe and happy.
Nice amount of detailing. Even in dessert scenes, the animation doesn't seem spartan and cheap because of little details, like the sun passing through feathers. So nice! Not as crazy detailed as Legend of the Guardians, but pretty nice.
I also personally love all the difference accents going on. It's really fun. The audio, dialogue, foley, and music is wonderful.
This South African film stars the voice talents of stars from all over, including Leonard Nimoy! Crazy, right? If you're not strictly on a live-action diet, this film is soooo so worth a watch. It's littered with awesome live-action celebs that are actually doing quiet well with voice acting.
Here's something else crazy, this amazing film is this animation studio's first work! Triggerfish Animation Studios has done commercials in the past, but with the success of their first movie, hopefully it'll be feature lengths from here on out. Zambezia had been in the works for six years, and it turned out great. Their next film, Khumba, is set to release this year. This having been their first feature film doesn't make Triggerfish a threat to the big dogs, but I enjoyed this film so much I'll gladly watch the next one, and I wouldn't be surprised if their studio became a new household name in the US.
There's been a handful of entertaining bird themed animations over the last several years--Surf's Up, Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga-Hoole, Happy Feet and more. If you enjoyed any of those films, this one won't dissappoint.
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