This short film following the first story is one that I got the opportunity to see when they showed the original again, I was looking forward to seeing if this sequel, also shown at Christmas, would be as good as the first. Basically two Little Squirrels (Sam Lewis and Phoebe Givron-Taylor) are being told the story of a forest monster's child by Mother Squirrel (Helena Bonham Carter). The Gruffalo (Robbie Coltrane) inside the dark cave of the forest has warned his Child (Shirley Henderson), his daughter, not to go into the woods looking for the Big Bad Mouse, the only thing he is afraid of. Of course while he is fast asleep she ignores this advice and decides to wander into the forest and see if she can find the scary Mouse (James Corden) he is talking about. On her way she encounters the three predators that the Mouse came to face previously, the Fox (Tom Wilkinson), the Owl (John Hurt) and the Snake (Rob Brydon), who all tell her where she may find him, but not definitely. Time passes and she slowly thinks she has been tricked and that there is no Big Bad Mouse after all, but then a Mouse appears out of his home, and he spots the Gruffalo's Child. To avoid her eating him the Mouse tells her that the Big Bad Mouse does exist, and invites her to meet him, and with the help of the bright moonlight she is terrified by his large shadow. She runs back to the Gruffalo cave in terror, passing the three predators along the way, and she clams down, happy that her father was right and that she did get to see the monster he fears. The computer animation is really good for this simple and fun story, the younger audience will definitely have fun with the adorable Gruffalo's child, the hideous but likable Gruffalo himself, the lovable Mouse, and the other characters as well, and the older audience will like the well known voices bringing them to life, is an easy to enjoy family fantasy. It was nominated the Oscar for Best Short Animated Film, and it was nominated the BAFTA for Best Short Animation. Very good!
16 Reviews
Wonder Filled
nancyldraper28 September 2018
A wonder filled sequel to Julia Donaldson's THE GRUFFALO, once again, using the animation wizardry of Magic Light Pictures and Studio Soi to fabricate the world of this trickster tale where imagination, curiousity and adventure dwell. Shirley Henderson joins an already stellar cast of voice actors enlivened by Rene Aubry's wonderful soundtrack. I give this film an 8 (wonderful) out of 10. {Animated Short Adventure}
It must be a European thing....
planktonrules2 February 2013
I have been going to the theater on a pilgrimage for quite a few years now each January-February to see the annual showings of the Best Animated and Best Live Action Shorts. I am lucky enough to live in one of the few places in the country that shows it each year. And, along with the nominated films, they usually show several commended films--animated films which didn't make the final cut but which are well worth seeing.
The final commended film shown in this viewing was "The Gruffalo's Child". I must admit that I don't understand the Gruffalo films. They are slickly made but the films never really excited me and seem purely of interest to small kids. HOWEVER, when I went to Europe (where the stories originated), I went in quite a few bookstores and saw HUGE displays of the books. Clearly, the kids in Europe love those Gruffalos!! I may sound very selfish in saying this, but although this film was nice, I wish they hadn't picked it since I'd already seen "The Gruffalo" during a similar screening last year (or was it the year before?) and it was by far the longest of the shorts shown this year. So, this means other wonderful films made by smaller film makers didn't get to be seen because they showed this one. Surely, the Gruffalo folks appreciated the exposure but also didn't NEED it nearly as much as the struggling artists whose work COULD have been shown. And, at almost a half hour, two or three other shorts could have been shown instead. Just my two cents worth. A good film but a familiar one as well.
The final commended film shown in this viewing was "The Gruffalo's Child". I must admit that I don't understand the Gruffalo films. They are slickly made but the films never really excited me and seem purely of interest to small kids. HOWEVER, when I went to Europe (where the stories originated), I went in quite a few bookstores and saw HUGE displays of the books. Clearly, the kids in Europe love those Gruffalos!! I may sound very selfish in saying this, but although this film was nice, I wish they hadn't picked it since I'd already seen "The Gruffalo" during a similar screening last year (or was it the year before?) and it was by far the longest of the shorts shown this year. So, this means other wonderful films made by smaller film makers didn't get to be seen because they showed this one. Surely, the Gruffalo folks appreciated the exposure but also didn't NEED it nearly as much as the struggling artists whose work COULD have been shown. And, at almost a half hour, two or three other shorts could have been shown instead. Just my two cents worth. A good film but a familiar one as well.
Animated children's book that is simple, warming and enjoyable
bob the moo26 December 2011
Essentially reversing the plot of the original Gruffalo short, this time the squirrel tells her children a tale about the Gruffalo's child going into the woods to seek out the fearsome mouse that her father uses as a warning not to wander off. As before each animal encountered points the child onwards to a new threat and as before the result is a cute and enjoyable little short film even if it never really excels in a great deal. It probably helped by enjoyment that I recorded this and watched it later on Christmas Day – and did so after watching the rather disappointing and heartless Doctor Who special. In stark contrast this film is simple, quite warming and very easy to watch with its rhyming dialogue and simple characters.
It perhaps lacks the Pixar sense of humour or a cynical edge to appeal to adults specifically but it is hard to dislike it for just how simple a tale it is. The animation is impressive but yet retains the feel of a children's book – I feel no shame in admitting that I was watching this in a dressing gown at the end of a day of wine and food and it felt oddly comforting to be sitting being told this wholesome and simple little tale. The dialogue works well in this effect with it repetition and rhyming nature while the voice cast from the first film mostly return. Most of them only have a few lines apart from Shirley Henderson, who plays her usual "odd Scottish waif" role really well as the child – she was a good bit of casting and brought a lot of character to the child. As before Corden mercifully underplays and does good as the mouse.
Overall The Gruffalo's Child is not really worthy of comparison to that other animated Christmas favourite of Wallace and Gromit, but it engagingly pleasing in its simplicity and good-natured telling. It is written for young children but yet the film felt warming and easy for me in my mid-30's; how it would stand up on a bright summer's day I don't know, but as a nice little family film it worked really well on Christmas Day.
It perhaps lacks the Pixar sense of humour or a cynical edge to appeal to adults specifically but it is hard to dislike it for just how simple a tale it is. The animation is impressive but yet retains the feel of a children's book – I feel no shame in admitting that I was watching this in a dressing gown at the end of a day of wine and food and it felt oddly comforting to be sitting being told this wholesome and simple little tale. The dialogue works well in this effect with it repetition and rhyming nature while the voice cast from the first film mostly return. Most of them only have a few lines apart from Shirley Henderson, who plays her usual "odd Scottish waif" role really well as the child – she was a good bit of casting and brought a lot of character to the child. As before Corden mercifully underplays and does good as the mouse.
Overall The Gruffalo's Child is not really worthy of comparison to that other animated Christmas favourite of Wallace and Gromit, but it engagingly pleasing in its simplicity and good-natured telling. It is written for young children but yet the film felt warming and easy for me in my mid-30's; how it would stand up on a bright summer's day I don't know, but as a nice little family film it worked really well on Christmas Day.
The Gruffalo's Child
CinemaSerf14 February 2024
I'm a bit of a sucker for a snowy adventure so I actually enjoyed this every bit as much as I did the first film (2009). Clearly in the intervening years, "Gruffalo" has had some fun for now there is a child. An inquisitive little beastie who has been warned by her dad not to go into the woods unaccompanied for fear of encountering the mouse! In a bit of a reversal of the original story, this intrepid young explorer sets off in the middle of a frosty night on an adventure that introduces her to the fox, the hapless owl and to the clever snake. Her encounter, eventually, with the mouse? Well let's just say our big-eared little friend has lost none of it's vivid imagination! The animation is engaging and detailed, with the snow working well to provide a nice canvas for the lively and entertaining artwork. I'm not sure we need another of these, but this is still good fun for half an hour, and is an easy watch for children and grown-ups alike.
Cosy and warm.
adamjohns-425755 January 2022
The Gruffalo's Child (2011)-
I think that I actually prefer this one to the original, although I realise that it would make less sense on its own, but I think that the snowy season and the cosy feel of the Gruffalo's cave give it a warmth that seems appropriate for a film shown regularly at Christmas. It makes you appreciate the comfy chair in front of the TV.
It's a sweet and harmless story with a moral or two about not judging people based on their reputation or believing what you hear about people and maybe you shouldn't heed your own fears too much.
The voice cast is very good, but I'm not sure that they ever need to spend so much on such well known actors. I'm sure it means nothing to the kids watching, but I suppose that's what gets them the prime TV spot.
I can imagine that most kids would love it for it's simplicity and well created characters and animation.
I personally love these cartoon shorts released each year. It really makes my Christmas to see such charming little tales that can take you away from the horrors of the real world.
709.92/1000.
I think that I actually prefer this one to the original, although I realise that it would make less sense on its own, but I think that the snowy season and the cosy feel of the Gruffalo's cave give it a warmth that seems appropriate for a film shown regularly at Christmas. It makes you appreciate the comfy chair in front of the TV.
It's a sweet and harmless story with a moral or two about not judging people based on their reputation or believing what you hear about people and maybe you shouldn't heed your own fears too much.
The voice cast is very good, but I'm not sure that they ever need to spend so much on such well known actors. I'm sure it means nothing to the kids watching, but I suppose that's what gets them the prime TV spot.
I can imagine that most kids would love it for it's simplicity and well created characters and animation.
I personally love these cartoon shorts released each year. It really makes my Christmas to see such charming little tales that can take you away from the horrors of the real world.
709.92/1000.
Fantastic
stefan-hickman26 May 2012
first... I have not seen the Gruffalo.
Second... I read this on a bi-weekly basis with the kids. They are 6,4 & 2.
Third... I love to read and want the kids to love reading too. This is something we do together just me and the kids.
So....
I was super excited when i found this and the kids were really exited when they realised what it was we where watching. It has been supremely presented as the actual book is not heavy on words. The narration was fantastically paced with the additional on charter interplay that was not actually in the book. The story flows well with tension on an entirely appropriate level for the kids. I appreciated the most (and it was a deal breaker for me to be honest) was the sticking to the rhyme and word play.
In short this is great... the kids loved it, i loved it and it was a wee bit special for the kids an i.
Second... I read this on a bi-weekly basis with the kids. They are 6,4 & 2.
Third... I love to read and want the kids to love reading too. This is something we do together just me and the kids.
So....
I was super excited when i found this and the kids were really exited when they realised what it was we where watching. It has been supremely presented as the actual book is not heavy on words. The narration was fantastically paced with the additional on charter interplay that was not actually in the book. The story flows well with tension on an entirely appropriate level for the kids. I appreciated the most (and it was a deal breaker for me to be honest) was the sticking to the rhyme and word play.
In short this is great... the kids loved it, i loved it and it was a wee bit special for the kids an i.
Wonderful
TheLittleSongbird13 March 2012
As a big animation fan, I loved The Gruffalo's Child. It is not quite as good as The Gruffalo, which I also loved, but of all the programmes airing over the Christmas break The Gruffalo's Child stood out as one of the treasures. The animation is true to the illustrations and looks superb with sophisticated backgrounds and colours that look simply beautiful. The rhyming dialogue is droll and sometimes amusing, delighting any child, adult or even family watching, and the story while simple is very charming and heart-warming, in short effective in its simplicity. I loved the cute(and never cloying) characters as well, and the voice cast was great especially from Shirley Henderson, who was very whimsical and moving as the Child. Overall, wonderful. 9/10 Bethany Cox
Bairns
bevo-1367815 March 2021
It's a tad too long and kind of just feels like more of the same.
Hellmant6 February 2013
'THE GRUFFALO'S CHILD': Two and a Half Stars (Out of Five)
This 2011 TV animated short film is a sequel to the 2009 animated short 'THE GRUFFALO', which was nominated for a 2011 Academy Award. Once again it's based on a children's book (of the same name) by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. It was adapted for the screen by Donaldson and Johanna Stuttmann and directed by Uwe Heidschotter and Johannes Weiland. It features the same all star voice cast as the original (including Helena Bonham Carter, Robbie Coltrane, John Hurt, Rob Brydon, James Corden and Tom Wilkinson). Coltrane once again voices the beast known as 'The Gruffalo' and in this story he's telling tales to his daughter (Shirley Henderson) of a 'Big Bad Mouse'. The child then ventures out to find the ferocious mouse and comes across various other animals on her journey (including the snake, owl and fox from the original film). It was screened with the 2013 Oscar nominated animated shorts in theaters and billed as 'highly commended'. At 27 minutes it's a tad too long and kind of just feels like more of the same (as the original film). It once again is nothing special as well. It will probably fascinate small children but no one else. I don't especially care for the animation in these films either.
Watch our movie review show 'MOVIE TALK' at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6yq7kwUUDQ
This 2011 TV animated short film is a sequel to the 2009 animated short 'THE GRUFFALO', which was nominated for a 2011 Academy Award. Once again it's based on a children's book (of the same name) by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. It was adapted for the screen by Donaldson and Johanna Stuttmann and directed by Uwe Heidschotter and Johannes Weiland. It features the same all star voice cast as the original (including Helena Bonham Carter, Robbie Coltrane, John Hurt, Rob Brydon, James Corden and Tom Wilkinson). Coltrane once again voices the beast known as 'The Gruffalo' and in this story he's telling tales to his daughter (Shirley Henderson) of a 'Big Bad Mouse'. The child then ventures out to find the ferocious mouse and comes across various other animals on her journey (including the snake, owl and fox from the original film). It was screened with the 2013 Oscar nominated animated shorts in theaters and billed as 'highly commended'. At 27 minutes it's a tad too long and kind of just feels like more of the same (as the original film). It once again is nothing special as well. It will probably fascinate small children but no one else. I don't especially care for the animation in these films either.
Watch our movie review show 'MOVIE TALK' at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6yq7kwUUDQ
Flat Black Tongues
tedg18 May 2014
Warning: Spoilers
Oh help. Oh no! This is not the Gruffalo.
If you know the book of which this story is the sequel, then you have experienced something special. It has an untrusted narrator nested in another untrusted narrator. The inner con is by a mouse who fools dumb predators with a tale of a fictional creature. The outer con has the noir storyteller change the nature of the world to make this creature real.
The mouse then modifies his original con to escape the new danger. The surrounding execution of the book is good: rhythms and detail in the drawings. But the real power of the thing is the way it takes a Chinese folk tale (similar to the Br'er Rabbit stories) and adds in this meta-noir, meta-cinematic structure.
So imagine my anticipation on hearing that the same team produced a sequel and that it had been translated into film. Back into film would be my preferred notion.
Well, "The Gruffalo's Child" book has none of the magic of the original — none of the teasing of truth that made me want to expose my kids to it.
This story is told without any folds in the narration. There is a nesting in the film version that copies that of the film of the first story: a mother squirrel telling the story of the child, but even that is straight; there is no causal connection between the world of the squirrels and that of the mouse. This only works if you have the original story in your head and consider this a second half-chapter.
The style of the animation is poor. The book's text is jaunty and the illustrations support that (without adding to it). The studio who did this apparently had a good procedure for snow, but chose to renter all the creatures as balloons.
Ted's Evaluation -- 2 of 3: Has some interesting elements.
If you know the book of which this story is the sequel, then you have experienced something special. It has an untrusted narrator nested in another untrusted narrator. The inner con is by a mouse who fools dumb predators with a tale of a fictional creature. The outer con has the noir storyteller change the nature of the world to make this creature real.
The mouse then modifies his original con to escape the new danger. The surrounding execution of the book is good: rhythms and detail in the drawings. But the real power of the thing is the way it takes a Chinese folk tale (similar to the Br'er Rabbit stories) and adds in this meta-noir, meta-cinematic structure.
So imagine my anticipation on hearing that the same team produced a sequel and that it had been translated into film. Back into film would be my preferred notion.
Well, "The Gruffalo's Child" book has none of the magic of the original — none of the teasing of truth that made me want to expose my kids to it.
This story is told without any folds in the narration. There is a nesting in the film version that copies that of the film of the first story: a mother squirrel telling the story of the child, but even that is straight; there is no causal connection between the world of the squirrels and that of the mouse. This only works if you have the original story in your head and consider this a second half-chapter.
The style of the animation is poor. The book's text is jaunty and the illustrations support that (without adding to it). The studio who did this apparently had a good procedure for snow, but chose to renter all the creatures as balloons.
Ted's Evaluation -- 2 of 3: Has some interesting elements.
Cute sequel for "The Gruffalo"
Rectangular_businessman15 July 2012
Warning: Spoilers
"The Gruffalo's Child" is a very good sequel of "The Gruffalo", which has all the many virtues of its predecessor, such as the beautiful animation style (that made a nice contrast between the cartoonish appearance of the characters with the realistic sceneries) the simple but charming story, and the cute and endearing characters.
The new character is very likable and adorable, being a nice addition to the story.
The result is something nice, heartwarming and pleasant, which is appropriate for the whole family.
If you like the first "Gruffalo" short, then you will enjoy this too.
The new character is very likable and adorable, being a nice addition to the story.
The result is something nice, heartwarming and pleasant, which is appropriate for the whole family.
If you like the first "Gruffalo" short, then you will enjoy this too.
Fantastic!
stonerjenn17 September 2018
The magic's gone
Horst_In_Translation12 July 2015
Warning: Spoilers
"The Gruffalo's Child" is the sequel to "The Gruffalo" and also got released for the holidays again. I liked the original and was fine with its Oscar nomination, but in this case once is enough. This is basically a story with turned tables. We do not follow the mouse, but the title character this time. They got a pretty great cast for an animated short film, I will hold that in their favor. Helena Bonham Carter does the narration voicing the mother of a bunch of young squirrels and Robbie Coltrane, John Hurt, Tom Wilkinson and Steve Corden are fairly popular as well. It's not their fault really that this did not work out as nicely as the first. Maybe they should have kept it at 10 minutes max this time. Even the rhyming did not feel as smoothly as in the original. The animation wasn't bad. I liked the snowy landscape. Just like the first, this was directed by a duo of Germans, however not the same duo as 2 years ago. I guess it's all these small ingredients that made one big impact, in this case a negative one. I cannot recommend "The Gruffalo's Child".
Didactic adventure
Vincentiu10 January 2012
Nice story about curiosity and survive. About childhood and search behind legend. And soul of legend. A naive story about basic things. In the skin of evening tale but seductive for animation, game of snow, remember of lost age and moral. For short dialogs and small ambitions. For old fashion flavor. And for memories about another meetings of heroes with the secrets or monsters. In fact, a kind of hot tea. With lemon, cookies and a sunny morning. Or a piece of chocolate or a milk cup. Or fly of a bird. After complicated projects of Disney or Pixar revolution, it is an oasis far from universal movies or box office star.And this is secret of its success. Courage to be only a story of a clever mouse and a Gruffalo in search of truth Nothing more.
Fun and engaging
Phil_Chester26 January 2019
What a cast! Some amazing voice talent on show, but we don't get that much of them, unfortunately. The animation isn't quite top notch, but the story is wonderfully engaging, with rich characters. Definitely recommended for all ages and family members.
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