‘Ernest And Celestine: A Trip To Gibberitia’ Review – A Simple Yet Charming Adventure

For fans of the titular characters, Ernest and Celestine: A Trip to Gibberitia brings another exciting albiet simple adventure filled with laughs, charming animation, and fun characters. However, this simplicity also means some shortcomings in the writing, lacking some of the nuanced approach that made the first installment so remarkable. 

The film follows a pair of best friends: a mouse named Celestine and a Bear named Ernest as they journey back to Ernest’s homeland, Gibberitia. Upon arriving, they are shocked to discover that music has been outlawed since Ernest has left. The plot unfolds as the pair rally alongside the citizens of Gibberitia to fight for the right to express themselves through music.

The first film was no stranger to exploring thought-provoking subjects, providing commentary on the existence of prejudice in society. This second installment tackles the idea of freedom of expression. While both of these films contain concepts worth exploring, the sequel feels more heavy-handed in its messaging. In this film, the story feels more cut and dry, establishing clear protagonists and antagonists. There is no attempt to humanize the opposing side, painting the villains as one-dimensional. This does not undercut the film’s central message, but it does mean that the writing lacks the emotional weight to bring the story a step further.

Additionally, with this central premise tackling ideas of oppression, the plot feels quite cliche at times. The film uses the tried and true story trope of a group of rebels that rally against a governing body. The entirety of the plot is constructed around this familiar idea, making no attempt to distance itself or standout from other versions. That being said, the creative team does have some fun with this premise, with one particularly enjoyable scene involving a group of rebel musicians attempting to hide their instruments through elaborate contraptions. While it does not reinvent the trope, the story structure makes for an entertaining story nonetheless.

The film’s greatest strength is that it maintains the same comforting aesthetic that made its predecessor stand out. Its visual style embodies the idea of childhood and simpler times. The colors feel brighter, the characters feel kinder, and the hand drawn-backgrounds bring a sense of calmness and innocence to every scene. The character design of the film is another standout as the costumes remain as cute and charming as in the first film. Some favorite designs are the police force of Gibberitia and the judicial outfits of the court. 

Keeping younger audience members entertained also requires a careful balance of humor and plot. The creative team understansa this idea well, weaving in comedic exchanges and moments of physical comedy to keep the film consistently entertaining. While the jokes are nothing groundbreaking, they manage to bring a smile to your face many times. There are many great moments of physical comedy, particularly in chase sequences, that keep audience members engaged in the story through silly or absurd scenarios. 

The film’s writing excels due to the central theme of love that is emphasized through the core relationship between the two titular characters. In addition to simply being an adorable pair of best friends, the love Ernest and Celestine share for one another is a contributing factor to what makes the plot so enjoyable. The premise of returning home allows for the audience (and Celestine) to learn more about Ernest’s past, and understand how it shapes the character that audiences have come to know. The first film previously did a lot of the legwork of establishing the pair’s friendship, allowing this film to move forward without spending time developing the relationship further.

Despite being less effective in the execution of its messaging, Ernest and Celestine: A Trip to Gibberitia maintains many of the elements that made the first installment such a standout. The sequel’s charming aesthetic, strong character dynamics, and simple comedy help to compensate for its shortcomings in the story. The film may appear to be more surface level, yet it still brings a fun adventure with some truly endearing characters.

Ernest and Celestine: A Trip to Gibberitia is currently playing in select theaters courtesy of GKIDS.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SfpU3g15rdM]