Helmed by Francis Lawrence, Slumberland is Netflix’s 2022 doorway to its Christmas movie spell. The film is based on Little Nemo, a 1920s comic strip written by Winsor McCay. The movie adaptation is co-written by David Guion and Michael Handelman.
Taking its audience to an imaginary world, the Netflix film is a fusion of a close-knit family drama and the fantasy dreamland of Nemo. The film is not a direct adaptation of Little Nemo and is an original work of its writers. It includes an entire quest in the dreamland of the protagonist, Nemo.
Slumberland Cast
The film casts Marlow Barkley in the leading role of Nemo. Pete, Nemo’s father has a small part in the film and is played by Kyle Chandler. Chris O’Dowd plays the part of Nemo’s socially awkward uncle Philip. But it’s Jason Mamoa who steals the show with his larger-than-life character of Flip, Uncle Philip’s Slumberland counterpart in the fantasy drama. The film also casts Weruche Opia, India de Beaufort and others in supporting roles.
Slumberland Plot
Netflix’s synopsis of the film says, “Joined by a larger-than-life outlaw, a daring young orphan journeys through a land of dreams to find a precious pearl that will grant her greatest wish.”
Slumberland brings to us the story of a young girl Nemo, who lives in a lighthouse with her father. Nemo’s father is an amazing storyteller who narrates the stories of his adventures to Nemo. After her father is lost in the sea, Nemo is brought to her uncle Philip who lives a lonely and dull life in the big city. Nemo is then sent to a prison-like school and is expected to adapt to city life.
Eager to go back to her lighthouse, Nemo starts to dream about her life before the passing of her father. She meets Flip, who is her guide through Slumberland. Together, Flip and Nemo set on a quest to find the enchanting pearls that will grant their wishes. Their journey is hurdled by Agent Green and the dark shadows of nightmares.
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Slumberland Review
The film is majorly based on the dream sequence of its protagonist Nemo. Jason Mamoa’s character Flip boasts about Slumberland and sets our expectations high about this unknown land. But as we continue with the movie, its fantasy world fails to impress us. The movie is a big failure when compared to Netflix’s previously enormous fantasy worlds.
For the most part of the film, Flip keeps explaining the rules of Slumberland to Nemo. If only other kids were as smart as Nemo to understand the rules without getting puzzled.
Slumberland is a fantasy film per se, but it actually misses out on the elements of imagination. Even the film’s monster is not scary at all. Its imaginary world lacks enchantment and is actually a land of confusion and chaos.
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The Netflix movie is a touching and emotional story of an orphan girl who risks it all just to see her father one more time. The movie’s cast and characters leave a lasting impact on our minds. But even with their amazing acting, the cast could not save the film.
The only entertaining part of the film is its beginning: a small girl living with her loving father and her stuffed toy pig in an isolated lighthouse amidst the ocean.
The repetitive dream sequence is actually an escape for the makers. Instead of coming up with a more creative and imaginative world, the movie keeps repeating the same colourful butterflies as the element of fantasy in its dreamland.
Overall, we do not recommend this film to our audience. Even with the emotional touch, the film is more irritating and less entertaining. It is dull, boring and irritating for adults. For kids, good luck trying to understand the never-ending rules and exceptions of Slumberland. It will remind you of the math class you hate.
Slumberland is currently streaming on Netflix.
Comment below with your thoughts on the film.
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