If one picks up a copy of the new DVD release The Blue Elephant, one instantly gets the impression simply by looking at the front cover that the movie is meant for kids of all ages. After all, the cover depicts a drawing of a bright blue elephant squirting water from his trunk. The water is supporting a cute little blue bird and in the background is a pink elephant with a yellow flower tucked behind her ear. It's a cheery scene, with a little frog in the foreground and the blue elephant smiling from ear to ear. A quick check of the back cover reveals the tag line "a little elephant on a big adventure" and the little promo paragraph sates that this is "fun family adventure."
Looking a little more closely, one might notice that the film is rated PG, it seems perplexing, but perhaps the review board was overly cautious or the fact that the little elephant gets separated from his herd has something to do with. Either way, the back clearly states that the story has an "uplifting message." What harm could possibly befall this bright blue CGI little elephant?
As it turns out, someone thinking those things while looking at the case of the DVD will be shocked and disappointed. Massively shocked and disappointed. Yes, the bright blue elephant named Khan does get separated from his herd, and he does meet a kooky group of friends, but the message is actually entirely about the glory of war and how great it is to spend one's life preparing to battle to one's death for freedom.
The movie deals with a series of battles between Burma and Siam (Khan is on the latter's side and the former group is painted as a series of unmitigatedly bad people). Khan, who loses his herd when he goes to look for his missing father (who is a great warrior) and the rest of the group are forced to flee from the invading Burmese. While lost, Khan meets a cute little pink elephant, Kon Suay, who takes Khan back to her village. There, Khan witnesses first-hand how evil the Burmese are (they even use weasels and tigers to attack the helpless villagers), and how to fight back. It is in the village that he grows into adulthood and learns the art of war.
Article comments
1 - Brian Fitzpatrick
I have to totally agree with your review. It was very disappointing to me to see Jim Henson's name on this product. You can read my review but I pretty much slammed it as well.
2 - Anthony Murdoch
I've seen a number of reviews for this movie and I am astounded that none of them have mentioned that it is actually a 2006 production from Thailand - their first major computer animated movie. It was the highest grossing movie in that country that year.
One review even says that it was so under the radar that there was no IMDB entry for it - wrong, it is here The Blue Elephant.
While the story might be a little nationalistic I think the movie should be judged on it's merits - not as a Hollywood production.
3 - Derek Fleek
Interesting. It looks like a kind, gental, harmless film. It isn't. Interesting...
4 - SRobinson
I have to disagree with you about the message. I think maybe you missed the greater point. While it does "glorify" war in a way, it also sets it in historical context..this is the 1500's here. The greater message is that anyone can achieve greatness. At least that's what I get from it, and that kindness and faithfulness to one's family gets your farther than brawn. It is also an interesting Thai history lesson.
5 - MBayer
I have to disagree as well. Obviously Mr. Lasser and Mr. Fitzpatrick have not seen Jim Henson's "labyrinth" or "The Dark Crystal", both fairly dark themed movies. Also it is very obvious that it is Asian history, and I as a laymen could tell it looked foreign, so the voice talents were really just translating the lines. From what I saw the Movies message was to stand up for ones family, friends, and yes freedom, and that even if you are not the mightiest you can still take on giants and succeed.
6 - Josh Lasser
Actually, MBayer, here's a link to my "Dark Crystal" review right here on BC.
7 - Jai Dee
It should be noted that the movie was made for a domestic thai audience with an implicit nationalist subtext for all age levels. I would rate the violence levels up there with Bambi and "The Lion King" (from which it is hybridised)but my thai 3 year old loves it and has done since he was 2!
8 - ALEX
Just happened upon this website. Since my son played the young Khan in the movie, I can't help but love it! It's not meant to be a big glitzy hollywood animated film. It made a lot of dough in Thailand and was its first successful computer animated feature. It tells a simple story with universal themes-family, bravery, spirit loyalty, friendship and love.
9 - mvo2525
Our family loved this movie. My daughter could not get enough of the black elephant and his glowing eyes. I think there are a lot of people out there who are not happy unless they are tearing down something. Lighten up citizens!