Have you had the opportunity to check out the new Netflix animated film from Skydance Animation, Swapped, which is currently ranking in the Netflix Top 10. My husband and I watched it this past weekend and I’m so glad that I did.
Swapped on Netflix follows two natural enemies who accidently swap bodies. It’s not a new idea (think Freaky Friday), but there is so much more to the story.
Ollie (voiced by Micheal B. Jordan) is a small otter-like woodland creature called a Pookoo. He’s filled with curiosity, which sometimes leads to trouble.
Ivy (voiced by Juno Temple) is bird-like creature known as a Javan. In their fantasy world, Pookoos and Javans are enemies.
When Ollie and Ivy accidentally touch a magical, glowing plant pod created by the ancient Dzo (a massive, tree-like creature that resembles an elephant), they swap bodies. To reverse the spell, the duo must find another pod. This is easier said than done, as dangerous creatures like the Treewolves (wolves with trees growing from their heads) are hunting them down.
Along the way, the duo meets other interesting creatures that call The Valley home. Interestingly, the swap gives them the ability to communicate with all species, something they couldn’t do before.
This is a fantasy film filled with unique hybrid creatures. To be honest, I almost didn’t watch the movie because I thought the character designs looked a little too unusual. I am so glad I took a chance on it.
>First and foremost, the film is visually stunning. The landscapes are gorgeous, and the animation details are mind-blowing. The Valley almost felt like a real place.
As much as I love the animation, the Swapped storyline is what stands out most. It isn’t just a silly comedy; it explores how mutual hatred is often based on generations of misunderstanding.
This film teachers the following;
- Empathy and understanding others.
- How prejudice is often learned from ancestors.
- The power of effective communication.
- Embracing your own strengths and vulnerabilities.
- Why collaboration works better than competition.
- The importance of protecting our natural world.
I cannot praise this film enough. If you haven’t seen it yet, I highly recommend adding it to your Netflix queue. (Please note: I wasn’t asked to review this film; this is 100% my own opinion)
If your family loved the movie, Simon & Schuster has released a wonderful Swapped board book called Ollie’s Big Adventure. It is a condensed version of the film featuring the same beautiful illustrations and storyline (it’s not a different story).
The book is written by Maggie Testa. It’s 14 pages long and is geared towards children with a reading age of 2-5 years old, however, kids of all ages can appreciate this book, especially if they are a fan of the movie.
Whether you want to get your family excited before seeing the film or want to keep the life lessons alive after the credits roll, this book is a perfect companion.
The book is currently available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. It’s published by Simon & Schuster.
To check out other new book releases, visit SimonandSchuster.com. Be sure to follow them on social media too.
Kimberly
*I received a free copy of this book in order to do this review. There was no compensation. The opinions expressed are my own and not influenced in any way.
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