346. The Elfkins (Die Heinzels - Rückkehr der Heinzelmännchen); movie review

 

 

THE ELFKINS (DIE HEINZELS - RÜCKKEHR DER HEINZELMÄNNCHEN)

Cert PG

78 mins

BBFC advice: Contains dangerous behaviour and rude humour

Every time we visited my dear old gran when I was growing up, she would have made a cake or pastry.

She wasn't alone. Housewives across the land were all capable of stirring up something pretty special in the kitchen.

However, the mystery of the jam macaroons seemed lost forever when women went out to work and nobody had time to watch their creations rise from their respective ovens.

And then came along The Great British Bake Off and spin-offs across the world which have made cakes trendy again.

So much so that a whole mainstream cartoon has been created by German animator Ute von Münchow-Pohl and translated for worldwide consumption.

It's aimed fair and square at the under-sevens and, while adults may not consider it much of challenge, kids will be licking their lips.

Based on the 19th-century bedtime story, it surrounds Elfkins who are little people who live underground, afraid of the humans who inhabit the world above.

Going against the grain is youngster Helvi (voiced by Rivka Rothstein) who is looking to discover her greatest talent and alights upon baking.

Rather conveniently, she alights upon a cakeshop after she goes against advice and leaves the safety of her home for an adventure topside with her sidekick (Valentin Beinhold) and reluctant naysayer (Liam Mockridge) 

After initial cross words, they prove themselves to an insular baker (Erik Hansen) who is facing a bleak end to his business.

Little does he know that his lucky day has arrived and that Elfkins can make wonderful cakes.

Thus, they team up to try to prevent the shop from being gobbled up by the baker's greedy brother (Rolf Berg).

And as they create some mouth-watering concoctions, there is a jolly song or two and much pathos about loyalty, friendship and family.

It all adds up to a movie which may well prompt a smile for younger audience members and give adults hunger pangs.

Reasons to watch: Bright and breezy animation

Reasons to avoid: No big laughs

Laughs: Chuckles

Jumps: None

Vomit: None

Nudity: None

Overall rating: 6/10

Did you know? The Heinzelmännchen (The Elves of Cologne) is a German bedtime story which surrounds little elves who come in to do work while humans are sleeping.

The final word. August Kopisch, 1836: "Once upon a time, the people of Cologne had a very easy life: while they slept, from house-building to sewing to wine-making, the elves did all their work for them."

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