🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Carlos Saldanha
- Genre: Animation, Adventure, Comedy, Drama, Family
- Release year: 2017
- Runtime (length): 1h 48min
- IMDb rating: 6.7/10 (67K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 72%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
A big, softie bull just wants to smell flowers, but everyone keeps forcing him into a job he doesn’t want, and also, bullfighting is problematic.
🍿 Ferdinand: Detailed Plot Synopsis
Early Life and Escape
Ferdinand begins as a young calf at Casa Del Toro, a training facility for fighting bulls in Spain. Unlike the other calves, Ferdinand prefers smelling flowers to fighting. After his father leaves for a bullfight and doesn’t return, Ferdinand escapes the ranch, heartbroken and alone.
Life on the Farm
Ferdinand is found by Juan, a florist, and his daughter Nina, who welcome him to their farm. Ferdinand grows into a massive but gentle bull, cherished by Nina and living a peaceful life surrounded by flowers. He enjoys his idyllic existence, unaware of the dangers lurking in his past.
Return to Casa Del Toro
An unfortunate encounter involving a bee sting and a flower festival leads to Ferdinand’s capture and return to Casa Del Toro. He reunites with old rivals and meets new characters, including Lupe, a calming goat who becomes his confidante, and the snooty German horses. Ferdinand struggles to fit in, determined to avoid fighting and return to Nina.
The Matador’s Choice
El Primero, a renowned matador, arrives at Casa Del Toro to select a bull for his final bullfight. Ferdinand’s refusal to fight initially disappoints the matador, but after an accidental display of strength, Ferdinand is chosen, sealing his fate and setting the stage for a climactic confrontation.
Escape and Redemption
Ferdinand, with the help of Lupe, the hedgehogs, and newfound allies, orchestrates a daring escape from Casa Del Toro. He even rescues former rival Valiente from the slaughterhouse, leading to a thrilling chase through the Spanish countryside and setting the stage for a final decision in the arena.
⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Ferdinand (John Cena): A gentle and pacifistic bull who prefers smelling flowers to fighting, challenging the expectations of his kind.
- Lupe (Kate McKinnon): A quirky and energetic ‘calming goat’ who becomes Ferdinand’s friend and coach, helping him navigate the bullfighting world.
- Nina (Lily Day): A kind-hearted girl who raises Ferdinand and loves him unconditionally, representing a life of peace and acceptance.
- Valiente (Bobby Cannavale): A competitive and initially antagonistic bull who embodies the traditional fighting spirit but eventually learns the value of friendship.
- El Primero (Miguel Ángel Silvestre): A skilled but conflicted matador who faces a moral dilemma when confronted with Ferdinand’s gentle nature in the bullfighting ring.
- Juan (Juanes): Nina’s father, and a florist who provides a loving home for Ferdinand and represents the importance of family.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Ferdinand: “I’m Ferdinand, and I like flowers.” – Introduces his gentle nature, contrasting with the expectations of a fighting bull.
- Lupe: “I’m a calming goat!” – Lupe introduces herself, stating her self-proclaimed skill of ‘calming’.
- Una, Dos, Cuatro: “We do not speak of Tres.” – The hedgehogs avoid talking about what happened to their lost brother, Tres.
- Ferdinand: “What’s wrong with stopping to smell the flowers?” – Ferdinand explains why he does not want to hurt people or other animals and would rather be peaceful.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $111,000,000
- Domestic Gross: $84,410,380
- Worldwide Gross: $296,069,199
💥 Ferdinand Reviews
Personal Review
I really enjoyed Ferdinand! It’s such a sweet movie with a great message about being yourself. The animation is beautiful, and the characters are so endearing. I especially loved the scene where Ferdinand befriends the hedgehogs; it was hilarious and heartwarming. This is a movie the whole family can enjoy together!
- Who would enjoy:
- “Families with young children”
- “Animal lovers”
- “Viewers who enjoy heartwarming stories with positive messages”
- “Fans of John Cena and Kate McKinnon”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Themes of animal cruelty and bullfighting”
- “Brief scenes of peril”
- “Sad moments involving loss and separation”
Professional Reviews
- Rama’s Screen: “Ferdinand is serviceable and definitely hits home for those who identify as a lover, not a fighter. The story and its themes are nothing new really. The movie plays it too safe and the characters are very textbook, but children will love this fighting bull who’d rather smell the roses than throw a punch.
- N/A: “‘Ferdinand’ is a fun family flick that explores some important themes, but ultimately succumbs to the generic story tropes that would be expected from a film of its kind. John Powell’s music score is fantastic too.
- N/A: “Ferdinand is an over-the-top cartoony movie about a massive bull who’s expected to be a fighter but only wants peace. It gets wildly energetic, sometimes to the point of being too much, but if you’re in the right mood and don’t take it too seriously, there are some pretty silly and funny moments in the movie.
Audience Reactions
The film’s message of peace and kindness resonated deeply with viewers of all ages.: Many praised the animation quality and the heartwarming story, making it a feel-good movie for families.
John Cena’s voice acting as Ferdinand was surprisingly good, adding depth and emotion to the character.: Viewers found Ferdinand’s gentle nature and resistance to violence inspiring.
Overall Consensus: Ferdinand is a heartwarming and visually appealing animated film with a positive message about embracing individuality and choosing peace, though some found the plot predictable.
Awards
- Kids’ Choice Awards (Favorite Animated Movie)- 2018
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “The film is based on the 1936 children’s book ‘The Story of Ferdinand’ by Munro Leaf, which was previously adapted into an Oscar-winning Disney short in 1938.”
- “The filmmakers visited Spain to research bullfighting culture and the landscapes that inspired the film’s setting.”
- “John Cena, the voice of Ferdinand, has said that he identified with the character’s gentle nature and desire to be himself, despite societal expectations.”
🖥️ How to Watch Ferdinand?
Ferdinand is available for streaming on platforms such as Disney+ and can be rented or purchased on Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, and Vudu. Check your local listings for cable and satellite options that may offer on-demand viewing.
🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Ferdinand, you might like these similar films:
- The Lion King (1994): Both films feature an animal protagonist who defies expectations and must find their place in the world, while also being visually engaging.
- Chicken Run (2000): Features a group of animals determined to escape their farm to avoid an imminent death, similar to Ferdinand, who tries to escape death or fighting.
- Madagascar (2005): Both films have a comedic adventure of animals escaping captivity and trying to return to their home, although ‘Madagascar’ is more comedic, they are still similar.
- Coco (2017): Set in Mexico with vibrant colors, a culture-specific film filled with music, ‘Coco’ is an era-specific film with similar tone and genre as ‘Ferdinand’.
🛒 Ferdinand Related Products
- Ferdinand DVD: Bring home the adventure with the Ferdinand DVD. Enjoy the heartwarming story and stunning animation in the comfort of your own home.
- Ferdinand Plush Toy: Cuddle up with a soft and huggable Ferdinand plush toy. A perfect companion for kids who love the movie.
- The Story of Ferdinand: Enjoy the classic children’s book that inspired the movie. A timeless tale of peace and individuality.
- Ferdinand Movie Poster: Decorate your room with a vibrant Ferdinand movie poster. A great way to show your love for the film.
🎧 Soundtrack
Ferdinand features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
Yes, Ferdinand is generally considered a good movie for kids. It has positive messages about pacifism, being yourself, and the importance of friendship. However, parents should be aware that the film deals with themes of animal cruelty and death, which may be upsetting to some younger children.
The moral of Ferdinand is that it’s okay to be different and that violence is not always the answer. The film encourages viewers to be true to themselves, follow their own path, and find strength in compassion rather than aggression. The ending shows everyone can change and accept change.
Bulls not chosen to fight end up in the slaughterhouse, a fate that Ferdinand and his friends desperately try to avoid throughout the film. This element of the storyline introduces a serious theme of the animal cruelty in bullfighting practices. The bull’s destiny is either the bullring or meat.
🔥 Bonus Content
Ferdinand Characters in Real Life
Ever wondered who (or what!) inspired the adorable characters in Ferdinand? This video compares them to their real-life counterparts, and honestly, it’s amazing how accurate some of them are! You gotta see this!
Ferdinand the Bull – full short film
Did you know Ferdinand has a classic origin? This is the original, Oscar-winning short film from 1938! It’s a totally different take on the story, and it’s really interesting to see how the character has changed over the years.
Ferdinand, But Something Isn’t Right (Reupload)
Want a good laugh? This video takes Ferdinand and messes with it in the best way possible. Trust me, you’ve never seen Ferdinand like this – it’s hilarious!
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