Flashes of magic from swords as characters battle! Shape-shifting from a girl to a caterpillar; another turns herself into a mouse! Epic battles of good vs. evil! A fire-breathing dragon! This fantastic, animated fantasy movie features memorable characters such as Aura, Shawn, and male twins, who attend the Montrose Academy of Magic. The main character, Aura, is able to keep an actual aura around her so as to protect herself and others from the onslaught of several enemies. One of the themes of the film is found in the line: “Let the magic come to you!” Viewers will be entertained with this nicely animated film, incorporating memorable songs, a terrific musical score, and high-energy adventures.
Aura (voiced by Laura Megan Stahl), is left at a doorstep as a baby, wrapped in a blanket, and the woman who becomes known as “Aunty” finds her. Aunty is voiced by Philece Sampler, and she is a kind-hearted woman who immediately takes Aura in as her own child. Also left at the doorstep is Yodel, a yellow robot which becomes Aura’s friend, bodyguard, and comedy relief for the movie. Aura is raised in Apple Valley until she turns 16. When an apple falls off a cart she has been loading, it hits a wooden stopper which was supposed to keep the cart from accidentally running downhill. Instead, the apple’s fall hits the stopper and suddenly the cart is racing downhill. Aura reaches out and uses her powers (which she had been unaware of) to surround the cart with an “aura,” and she stops it from continuing downhill.
Aunty recognizes Aura’s magical abilities and Yodel says, “That’s right. Today is that day,” meaning it’s a special day for Aura. Yodel says that Aura is an “enchanter,” and she can use her special powers and learn more at the school known as the Montrose Academy of Magic. Aunty tells Aura it is a good opportunity and to “Go discover your magic.” It’s a powerful lesson of parents letting their children go when it’s the right time.
Aunty tells Yodel to take care of Aura, and he replies, “That is my mission!” Aunty wishes Aura good luck and tells her she loves her. Then Aura and Yodel are off, headed for the academy. Aura meets a dragon at the academy, and she is able to stop his fire from hitting and roasting her. The film features some remarkable atmospheric scenes, including some spooky woods and stormy and thundering skies as the battles between good and evil takes place.
When a character complains that they made it to the school riding the last dragon (because of Aura and Yodel), a schoolmaster named Lambert says, “Playing the blame game, are we?” This is a good lesson for the young viewers to realize that quite often the blame game doesn’t work and can even be unfair.
The students undergo a series of tests for five days, and Aura will find out more about her heritage and where her abilities come from. This is an imaginative movie. For example, in one scene the students are going to pick their own uniforms but ultimately the uniforms pick the students and dress them. And in another thought-provoking scene, Yodel encourages Aura when she goes through a discouraging moment. Lessons of shape-shifting and levitation are taught. And in a humorous scene the Headmaster shares that he was once turned into limburger cheese, and he “stunk up the place!”
The students have to contend with a bully, and other difficult challenges, but the idea of uniting with one another and not quitting are nice themes included in the movie. In one instance the twins capture a flag with Aura’s help as part of a game. Some surprising mysteries will be solved. There is never a dull moment in this fast-paced action fantasy film. And there is a lot of scope for the imagination as several characters fly on what appears to be manhole covers or pedestals! And some characters are even turned into stone. Will all or any of them be turned back to humans? And how will it all end for Aura?
Content Analysis: There are some nice themes in the film such as standing together against challenges and even being wronged. There is not an overt Christian worldview but the idea of good overcoming evil is plainly established in the film.
Think About It: One character calls another “idiot” and this is a good discussion point for parents to encourage their children not to use name calling with other kids. There are a lot of good examples of characters uniting together to defeat the evil powers, and the importance of being true to one’s abilities and talents, and the idea of serving others.
The Dove Take: This imaginative movie is suitable for all ages, and due to its examples of kindness, receiving help from others, and overcoming evil, it has earned our Dove Seal for All Ages.
