I've come to the conclusion that Pixar is both the best and worst thing that happened to the world of animation. With their computer-generated creations, Pixar revolutionized the art of cartoon features, opening up the genre both visually and thematically. On the downside, it allowed legions of cut-rate imitators to pour through the floodgates, the latest of which is the adventure Delgo. This picture isn't a detriment so much to animation as it is to the fantasy genre, plundering its most overused elements and cramming them together into one hopelessly clichéd package.
In a faraway land, there reside two races of beings: the reptilian Lockni and the winged Nohrin. An uneasy peace was forged in the days following a terrible war, but that delicate alliance is in danger of being shattered to pieces. Sedessa (voice of the late Anne Bancroft), former Nohrin royalty banished into exile, and turncoat soldier Raius (voice of Malcolm McDowell) are plotting to instigate a new conflict amongst the people and insert themselves in the obligatory roles of tyrannical rulers.
Caught in the middle of all this treachery is Delgo (voice of Freddie Prinze Jr.), a boastful young Lockni with eyes for fetching Nohrin princess Kyla (Jennifer Love Hewitt). When Raius spirits away with Kyla as part of his diabolical plot, Delgo and his scaredy-cat friend Filo (voice of Chris Kattan) both save her and prevent war from breaking out once again.
From this alone, you can probably predict every single step Delgo takes. Indeed, it's an unabashed member of the recently resurrected and swiftly done to death fantasy film, complete with ferocious creatures, swashbuckling action, and a Great Destiny in store for the hero. But instead of welcoming these elements like an old friend, Delgo makes them feel like that guy on a plane ride who won't shut up about his cats. You can't even appreciate the flick for what it does right since you're too busy waiting for the whole thing to end already.
It amazes me that it took not one but six screenwriters to write this, something I could've done with a copy of Labyrinth and a long weekend. What's even more bizarre is that Delgo was apparently a labor of love for its creators, independently made in a piecemeal production that lasted the better part of this decade. For as much drive as the filmmakers had to get this picture off the ground, you'd think they would have cared more about clever storytelling than with making the flick just because they had nothing better to do.
Article comments