Rent Strange World (2022)

Strange World review by Mark McPherson - Cinema Paradiso

Remember that era when Disney favored adventure films? Not quite the Pirates era of PG-13 action or the darker fantasies of The Black Hole or Return to Oz. I’m referring to the time when adventure films felt enticing and exciting for the younger crowd, tapping into the Jules Verne spirit. Strange World is thankfully in that same camp, taking great inspiration from the likes of Journey of the Center of the Earth to construct something uniquely original and enthralling with wonder and danger.

The film takes place in an alternative Earth timeline, where humanity has been forever locked out of the rest of the world by mountains. Exploring those mysterious mountains is the expert explorer Jaeger Clade (Dennis Quaid) and his son Searcher (Jake Gyllenhaal). The problem is that Searcher would much rather pursue the life of a farmer to take care of his people than be a travel-bound explorer like his dad. They soon part ways and Searcher ventures back home to both discover a new resource of power and start a family with the handywoman Meridian (Gabrielle Union) and his teenage son Ethan (Jaboukie Young-White). They live a simple life of reward and love until the resources start to erode, prompting an adventure from the determined president Callisto (Lucy Liu).

The adventure leads not above the mountains but underground, where a bulbous ship descends into darkness…until it discovers light. More than light. An entirely lost world lies underneath the community of Avalonia, where abstract creatures of undiscovered elements graze about a land of colorful textures and properties. Sponge-like monsters with no faces and plenty of tentacles roam the bouncy hills. Schools of fish soar through the skies, creating paths that can be traversed. Dinosaur-like beings spawn little creatures that repopulate the many blobby fields that occupy this fantastic realm. All of it is a dazzling treat for the eyes.

For as vibrant and eye-catching as the sights become, the story at play is just as strong. I loved the dynamic of father and son that becomes a primary problem for the trio of Jaeger, Searcher, and Ethan. All of them fear repeating the past and are terrified to feel their grip loosening on the clash of generations. It may shock some viewers to learn that a problematic parent doesn’t end up becoming the villain or a martyr for the greater lesson. Throughout the entire film, there’s this constant glow of a family that loves each other but has lingering issues of influence that they need to get over. It’s a sign of progress in more ways than one, especially since Ethan’s same-sex crush is treated with considered empathy by the elder Jaeger. Having a grandfather and grandson discuss how best to flirt with guys was not something I expected out of a Disney film but it’s a welcoming sight in an already enticing film of adventure and fantasy.

Finally, there’s the greater environmental tale at play about understanding the world and making tough calls to save it. It’s an easy allegory for climate change, sure, though it’s not harped on for too long considering the major twist of the third act might generate some mixed messages. Let’s just say there are some striking similarities to Discworld in terms of where this story is going.

Strange World is the type of movies Disney should be making more of. It’s adventurous and exciting yet never goes overboard with its sci-fi violence, presenting an engaging adventure for the whole family. It’s also brilliant to see a changing of colors for a Disney animated film, projecting a well-rounded family that comes together rather than being torn apart for drama and action. It couldn’t be better placed as Disney’s standard fair for Thanksgiving entertainment.