This family-oriented animated film makes some great points while entertaining at the same time. Its themes include the marginalized and even outcasts quite often doing something meaningful in the end, even to the point of winning the respect of those who previously criticized or made fun of them.
A square tree named Pierre is not popular where he grows in Butterfield Forest. This is the forest of the parliament of crowns, and where Rojo is the king of the rings. Various characters include Pompous, who despite her beautiful purple leaves is just like her name sounds. She considers herself very important. She’s told she’s pretty and she replies, “I know I’m fabulous, darling!” There’s a Scottish tree too, and a tree named Ringo. But Pierre is the sincere tree among them all.
When an uprooted vine named Lavinia comes into their lives, she and Pierre immediately share a connection. She sees kindness and goodness in him. In a comedic moment Pompous says that Ringo is “pining” over Lavinia, and that he’s so “sappy!” She also believes that Lavinia is “tightly wound” but, in actuality, it is Pompous who needs to lighten up.
The animation is terrific and the characters are memorable. The voice actors bring them to life. One of the standout characters is Cruiser, a squirrel, who is on the run from Tessa the hawk. When Cruiser comes near Tessa’s chicks, she declares war on him and swoops down, trying to nab him. Fortunately for Cruiser, he manages to stay a few steps ahead of Tessa. He also has some funny dialog in the movie. For instance, he had lived near the city and says, “That can wear on a squirrel!” And he nails a terrific line when he says, “Stay kind and you’ll go far in this world.”
And, along with the entertaining moments of the various characters, some educational seeds are planted, such as trees help protect people because of greenhouse gases and that without trees, human life could vanish.
Pierre endures jokes aimed at him, such as he eats three “square” meals a day. And Pierre rhymes with “square” so it’s said he has that going for him! Rojo does offer a word of wisdom when he says that their greatest strength lies in their roots, making them what they are and defining them.
The songs included in the film are wonderful, featuring lines such as “You’re growing on me,” which is about friendship. Another catchy song is about changing direction and becoming what one is destined to be. And there’s a beautiful song about love and one that states it’s okay to be square! Staying true to oneself is a nice staple of the movie.
Featuring a square tree, and a vegan wolf, these are just two examples of the characters being different but finally accepted by the community. And the need for community is another resonating theme in the movie.
Content Analysis: There are some fantastic themes in the film such as the outcast and marginalized character showing their worth in the end, and the need for love. Some characters are made fun of, and a few characters have a superior attitude but this changes by the movie’s end.
Think About It: Discussion topics can include how people who are different can bring something special to a community, and how people who are different are not always treated kindly. Learning from one another is also a good discussion topic.
The Dove Take: This amazing and remarkable movie will be a treat for kids and even the adults who will enjoy the jokes and the characters. The animation is remarkable and the characters are delightful.
