'Scarygirl' Reviews: Film is "Imaginatively directed and visually stunning"

         On October 4, 2024, Viva Pictures released 'Scarygirl', which has earned predominantly positive reviews from critics. In the animated film, "Free spirited and cheerful Arkie (Jillian Nguyen) lives with her adoptive octopus father, Blister (Rob Collins), on a flourishing, colorful peninsula. Together they help regenerate plant life using their magical tentacles, with the help of friendly mechanical bees powered by sunrays. That's until space bandits invade and kidnap Blister -- so that an evil scientist, Dr. Maybee, can use his powers to sap the planet's lifeforce and discover the key to immortality. Can Arkie rescue Blister in time to save her home from devastation? Based on the acclaimed graphic novel, toy and game brand, and featuring a stellar celebrity voice cast, Scarygirl is a visual treat." The ensemble cast includes Remy Hii and Deborah Mailman. But what did the critics say?

Photo by Simon Ray on Unsplash

        Luke Buckmaster of Guardian was less impressed, stating, "Scarygirl is one of those animated productions so loaded with colour and bling, so lit up like a pinball machine, that merely absorbing it makes you feel old. While watching I couldn’t help but wonder if today’s youth consume too many flashing lights and loud noises – and, by the way, keep it down, some of us have to work in the morning. Once accustomed to the film’s retina-straining shininess, it became increasingly clear the creative elements conjured by the directors Ricard Cussó and Tania Vincent are relegated almost entirely to the surface, because under the hood it’s very familiar indeed. An archetypal hero’s journey in which a youngster heeds the call of adventure, steps out of their comfort zone and encounters various friends and foes en route to confronting a blabbering villain with an emotional backstory. The villain is Dr Maybee, voiced by Sam Neill, who verbally chews the scenery and joins a stacked cast including Tim Minchin, Deborah Mailman, Anna Torv, Dylan Alcott, Mark Coles Smith and Rob Collins."

      David Griffiths of Subculture Entertainment praises the film, stating, "Don't let the fact this is Australian put you off it looks equal to Pixar or Dreamworks. Deals with complex, modern issues in a fun and easy way for the whole family. It will entertain all."

        Jake Wilson of The Age notes, "With allowances made for a limited budget, any random five minutes of Scarygirl would look good on an animator’s showreel. Soon, though, I began to wonder how far the many creative contributors were ever on the same page."

       Peter Gray of The AU Review says, "Imaginatively directed and visually stunning, Scarygirl, despite some shortcomings, is ultimately a winning experience as it shines bright, inviting its viewers to embrace the power of positivity in even the darkest of days." Adding, "Likely to be even more of a winning experience to those familiar with the Scarygirl brand of VR games and books, Cusso and Vincent’s vibrant film overcomes any clichés with undeniable creativity."