We are given a chance to glance into the world of complex emotions that fights to break the barrier of societal ideal and accept change with all its varieties. Through the Annapurna Pictures production known as Nimona, we see an interaction between two unlikely yet oddly similar worlds that fight to normalize the acceptance of difference, do away with stereotypes, and welcome the outlandish concept of the vivid unknown.
Originally a blue sky studio, the American computer-animated science fantasy adventure comedy film directed by Nick Bruno and Troy Quane from a screenplay by Robert L. Baird and Lloyd Taylor was entirely based on a 2015 graphic novel by ND Stevenson. It is set in a utopian society 5000 years later, a communal alignment that adopts the culture of the medieval era and a futurist reality.
In this captivating film, Chloe Moretz takes centerstage, voicing the eponymous character Nimona, a crazed, somewhat erratic, shapeshifting pixie. At the same time, Riz Ahmed brings to life her disillusioned partner in crime Ballister Boldheart, a medieval knight faced with the death penalty. We see firsthand a testament of zeal, passion, comedy, and love funneled through a single focal point; the film proves the existence of bathos in its literary brilliance purging out a series of human emotions as it covers many compelling and controversial themes.
Rating
Overall, the movie comes at a solid 7/10; it’s excellent outplay of dialogue and comedic gems served as the wheel of progress; one could easily get lost attempting to guess the following string of sentences second. While this had been the bane of many cinematic productions, Nimona embodied a seamless transition from one series of events to another, using acutely placed dialogue and sardonic remarks to complement their line of thoughts and proffer descriptions to their intents.
Though this had been one of their selling points, the movie entirely seemed to be “a run on all lines,” although it is enjambed its running time to fit an entire background history through a montage, which was expected, we find that only a few of its themes were fully explored. the concept of accepting change was normalized in this dimension, expressed vocally and in action;
in the movie, two of its primary characters embrace a strong same-sex relationship only to falter with time; At the same time, the theme of love holds a particular dominance over this movie; one can’t but attempt to understand its genuine depiction while striving to grasp its expression; but then again this might be an attempt to provoke the emotions of viewers.
Ultimately, the film appears to merge the graphical details from both Pixar and Dreamworks, drawing inspiration from the 2021 animated series Arcane; Nimona adopts striking aesthetics that balance a serious body asymmetric with a vibrant and humorous portrayal; this captivating blend of graphic details, in general, enhances the overall appeal of the film, the cinematic properties in this film is a solid 9/10 in my book.
Characters
Nimona embodied a diverse range of characters serving as a vehicle to champion its primary theme of change and acceptance. It gives off a slice-of-life perspective modeling after modern society and its reaction to the emergence of new development. The film embraced and personified strange elements warping from the outlandish quip of same-sex relationships to the existence of mythical creatures; these unique aspects were interwoven into the fabric of critical characters, shaping their individual stories and adding depth to the general narrative through this approach, the film celebrates and explores the complexities and nuances of a changing world.
Plot summary
Spoilers ahead!
The movie brings to life the travails of a medieval knight, Ballister Boldheart, who, alongside the art of war, dorns on his armor to fight the most important battle of his life, proving his innocence! after being framed for the death of the queen, he is exiled from the order of the Elite knights; an organization created exclusively to combat monsters, the idea surrounding the origin of these knights were unearthed by the heroine Gloreth whose exaggerated feat structures a defining belief in their medieval-futuristic Monarchy kingdom.
Trapped within the confines of loneliness, shame, and disappointment, Ballister lives off the fear of being stigmatized and judged; throughout his life, he has been restricted from being his true self, as it happens that only royal blood was permitted to join the Elite Knights, being a commoner this opportunity had eluded him completely staying out of his reach. However, it was through the human intervention of Queen Valerin that Ballister finds the opportunity to actualize his identity and purpose finally. Her benevolence catalyzes his transformation and liberation from the shackles that had bound him for so long.
On the day of his knighting, he assassinates the queen with a laser sword, to which his childhood love and best friend Ambrosius Goldenloin severe off his hand in response. With the queen dead and Ballister, a fugitive, Nimona is introduced into the film as a bite-sized pixie with an obnoxious attitude and an almost impulsive desire to kill everything. She capitalizes on the conflicted Ballister, reconciling him with the benefits of having her as a sidekick.
While still disillusioned, he believes surrendering himself and providing an explanation to his best friend about his innocence in the queen’s vivid murder would resolve the situation. Still, a more experienced Nimona urges him not to. Nimona, with her vast 5000 years of experience, cautions him against this course of action. Having endured her share of stigmatization, being labeled a monster, and facing disdain, she urges him to murder everyone with her instead. In her perspective, doing so represents the ultimate solution to ending her millennia-long loneliness and assisting Ballister in evading the clutches of the law.
Being brainwashed by the pseudo-acceptance extended to him, Ballister goes back only to be captured; it was during his time in prison that Nimona revealed who she was. To break him out completely, she assumes the shapes of different animals. Seeing how grim the world has become and how it swiftly turned its back on him, he teams up with Nimona to prove his innocence. This aspect sees his attempt to know more about Nimona, to which she scoffs.
We only learn more about her after Ballister discovered her encounter with Gloreth 5000 years ago. Learning that she is the reason, the very monster to why the Elite Knights exist, he questions her true identity provoking her enough to scurry away into the woods; it was there that her true identity was revealed, her connection to Gloreth and her influence on the general narrative of the movie.
The movie resolves itself with the identity of the queen-killer being the Director, a snobbish slender looking authoritarian voiced by Frances Conroy. Her position had only been next to the queen, the Elite Knights’ matron. It was her irrational fear and obsessive-compulsive disorder that moved her to frame Ballister. Her death at the hands of Nimona ensured the highest form of poetic justice, bringing the curtains down on the movie.
Ultimately, Nimona is a visually stunning, emotionally resonant, and thematically rich animated film; while its multifaceted theme may elude many, it would be difficult to discount its lasting impression. It’s a film that encourages its viewers to embrace change, challenge societal norms, and find solace and connection in unexpected places.