Captain Morten and The Spider Queen is a 2018 stop-motion animated film from Ireland. The movie follows the story of a ten-year-old boy named Morten, who dreams of becoming a sailor like his father, but his overprotective mother doesnât allow him to pursue his passion. The story takes place in a micro-world where insects are alive, and Morten gets shrunken down to their size by an enchanted pirate chest. The chest belongs to Captain Long John Silverfish, a legendary pirate, who went missing years ago. Morten finds himself at a crossroads when he is captured by Long John Silverfish's crew of insects, including Zanzibar, a lady mosquito pirate who is on a mission to regain her stolen wings.
Morten has to find a way to break free from the chest and get back to the real world. In the meantime, he befriends an old spider named Anton, who runs a marionette theater. With Anton's help, Morten becomes a part of the show, exploring his inner self as he manipulates the marionettes, finding ways to defeat the evil spider queen and to escape from the chest.
Throughout the journey, Morten learns important life lessons about trust, leadership, self-belief, and friendship. He realizes the importance of standing up for what he believes in and learns that the ability to self-reflect is essential. Morten's adventure is full of drama and adventure as he navigates the sea on his quest to return to normal size, defeat the spider queen, and escape the chest before he is trapped forever.
The film is visually stunning, and the use of stop-motion animation adds a unique charm to the movie. The character designs and set pieces of the movie are well crafted, and the actors bring life to their characters through voice acting. The film also features an excellent score that sets the pace for the action-packed adventure.
Cian Patrick O'Dowd, who voiced Morten, flawlessly portrays the character's transformation into a leader. Brendan Gleeson, who voices Long John Silverfish, brings a sinister and charismatic element to the character, and Pauline McLynn, who voices Zanzibar, is cold but shows a softer side when she connects with Morten.
The movie is a marvelous addition to family entertainment, emphasizing the importance of believing in oneself and following one's dreams. Parents will appreciate the positive messages and life lessons conveyed in the story, while children will enjoy the action-packed tale of a boy struggling to overcome his fears and discover his potential.
In summary, Captain Morten and the Spider Queen is a thrilling family movie that combines adventure, action, and a solid dose of humor. The well-thought storyline, combined with the impressive stop-motion animation, brings the characters and their story to life, making it a must-watch movie for both kids and adults alike. So, grab your popcorn, sit back and enjoy this fantastic voyage into a world of adventure and self-discovery.
Captain Morten and the Spider Queen is a 2019 animated movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 19 minutes.
It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.6.