Now here is a toe-tapping, light-hearted movie with animal jokes that kids–and even parents–will love. There are plenty of peppy songs, dancing, and in this wonderful film the world of fantastic imagination comes to life.
Lilly runs Beacon’s Bay, a lighthouse, and it is a place of hope. Lilly is pretty, caring, and can really sing. She sings several songs, and her delightful voice adds to the overall “feel good” moments of the movie.
In an early scene in the movie a young girl and Lilly are seen singing a happy song in church, and bright light bursts through the windows. This movie focuses on hope and the possibility of better things ahead. Delightful characters include Fitz, known as “Uncle Fitz” to many of the kids, not because he is a biological uncle, but because of his warm and effusive personality. Fitz helped guide Lilly as she grew up without parents. And he is still guiding lives. Several orphans are seen in the film but they are happy and cared for and loved. However, a teen named Daniel has just lost his grandmother, his only relative, and is sad. But when both Lilly and Uncle Fitz take Daniel under their wings, he soon finds that even friends can become family.
Among the highlights of this movie is the fact that once Lilly or one of the kids come up with an idea, they can make it come true in their storybook. This includes a trip to Hamelet and a meeting with a wizard named “Moylin” (as opposed to Merlin) who they at first find asleep in a tree. They also find a pig dressed up and Moylin mentions they are all in Hog Heaven. We also get to meet “Sir” Oinks A lot! He is a riot. This light-hearted feel-good movie includes a pig entertainer telling jokes. For example, “Why did it take so long for the pig to cross the road?” Answer: “He’s a slow pork.” Here’s one more (although more are told in the film): “What do you call a pig in a bathtub?” Answer: “Hog wash!”
The characters are extremely imaginative in this film, including a comedian couple named Dilly and Dally. One of their jokes is, “What do you call a pig with laryngitis?” “Disgruntled!” The names of the characters can be so appropriate, too. For example, a repairman who fixes clocks among other things is named Will Patchit. And the kids, even with regular names, can be quite funny. In one scene Lilly offers the kids a piece of peach pie. “No thanks,” replies Katie Lynn. “I’m on a budget. I mean a diet!” Other members of the kid’s gang are Ashley and Max. Soon Daniel visits their home and sees the love and hope they all share. In the storybook world we see the young men fighting fire-breathing dragons, and nothing seems impossible—anything seems possible.
One of the many songs featured is Pass it On, which is about passing on the light and the hope. Lilly sings that there is a spark of light in all of us and the dancing to the song is well choreographed, and the song is an energetic and hopeful tune.
Daniel, a bit sad at first from missing his grandmother, comments that his heart is beyond healing. In a nice metaphor, Lilly sings to him to reach for the joy that is beyond the pain, and for the sun that is beyond the rain. He says, “I can’t do it, Lilly. I have too many walls.” She sings about love being the door that can lead to something more.
The light of creativity is a theme of the film as well, and a professor invents the illuminating imaginator,” which Ashely suggests they call the “illiator.” The professor likes the idea and changes its name!
Truly, this movie offers light, hope, creativity, and imagination and easily earns our Dove seal for All Ages.
The Dove Take:
Lilly and her lighthouse adventure offer hope, song, and imagination for all!
