This movie left a nut tied in my stomach as I watched the unrealistic and unexpected romance evolve between Bob king and Marianne. I must say "I didn't see that coming". AlThough Strange Magic has those music going but it didn't sit well for a children fairy tale. It was supposed to be a happy ending but for many like me, it was unexpected.

My wife and I watched this movie with our 3.5 year old and we all really enjoyed it. I enjoyed all of the music and the story and my son enjoyed the small character pool and the action. He may not have fully understood the story but he sat through the whole movie (which for him rarely ever happens). I feel like it was the perfect mix of great for the kids as well as the parents type of movie. It probably all really depends on the age, but for my family this movie was excellent and I wish there were more movies like it!

I have seen quite a lot of hate towards this movie, but I can't quite see where it comes from. It seems to be a either you hate it or love it movie. The animation was dark yet beautiful. The music was well timed and perfect for where it was placed in the story. I particularly liked how it truly stuck to the theme of looking past looks and not judging a book by it's cover, unlike a certain Disney movie with the same premise. Bog isn't cruel because of his looks in the beginning, he is cruel due to the pain he feels, which is a realistic way to depict it. He doesn't magically become handsome when Marriane falls for him, but stays the way he is and they fall in love due to similar personality traits and experiences rather than because of either of their looks. It also show that beauty is in the eye of the beholder from both standpoints. We as the audience might find Marriane to be the attractive one due to her being conventionally attractive, but the movie makes it clear that she doesn't fit what Bog finds to be physically attractive initially. Sometimes who we perceive to be unattractive can become attractive if you get to know them. I think that this movie portrays that very well.

I watched this on the recommendation of a friend, and then the very next day got my mom, younger sister, and sister-in-law to come over and watch it with me. General consensus? Pretty dang adorable. We all really enjoyed it, and even my brother who came in about a quarter of the way through and then sat hostage to it had to admit it's a good movie. I'm not sure where all the critic hate is coming from. Great vocals, fun soundtrack, beautiful visuals, and a love story that isn't cut- and- paste from every other princess movie you've ever seen... what's not to like? There were parts that genuinely made me laugh out loud. About the only bad thing I can say about it is that it was fairly predictable - you could see the plot twists coming a mile away - but it was still delightful to watch. Bog King is definitely my favorite character. I think he had all the best songs.I think it may have gotten poor reviews because it wasn't what people expected it to be, but it feels like the filmmakers had a clear vision of what they wanted to do and they accomplished it beautifully. Give it a chance, you may like it too!