The One and Only Ivan Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A silverback gorilla in a strip mall circus realizes he can paint and uses his newfound artistic talent to stage an animal jailbreak, kinda like ‘Ocean’s Eleven’ but with more fur and fewer heist planning montages.

🍿 The One and Only Ivan: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Life at the Big Top Mall

Ivan, a silverback gorilla, lives at the Big Top Mall with other performing animals. They include Stella, an elephant; Bob, a stray dog who lives secretly in Ivan’s enclosure; and various other creatures. Their owner, Mack, struggles to keep the business afloat. Ivan enjoys drawing, a talent encouraged by Julia, the daughter of the mall’s janitor, George.

The Arrival of Ruby

Mack brings in Ruby, a baby elephant, hoping she’ll attract more customers. Stella takes on a maternal role toward Ruby. Ivan is initially hesitant but soon grows fond of the young elephant. As Stella becomes weaker, she asks Ivan to promise that he will ensure Ruby’s freedom and safety. Stella’s passing deeply affects Ivan and Ruby.

Ivan’s Plan for Freedom

Inspired by Stella’s wish, Ivan decides to use his art to help Ruby escape. He secretly creates a mural depicting a natural habitat, hoping to inspire people to realize the animals should be free. Mack discovers Ivan’s drawings and plans to use them as part of the show, but Ivan refuses to cooperate, wanting to use his art for a greater purpose.

Escape Attempt and its Aftermath

Ivan and Bob orchestrate a nighttime escape, releasing Ruby and the other animals. However, their attempt fails when they realize the ‘forest’ they seek is just a busy intersection. Mack manages to bring them back, but the incident sparks a change. Inspired by Julia, Ivan creates a mural that gains public attention, highlighting the animals’ desire for a natural habitat.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Ivan (Sam Rockwell): A thoughtful gorilla who uses his art to envision a better life for himself and his friends.
• Mack (Bryan Cranston): The owner of the Big Top Mall, struggling to keep his business afloat while caring for his animals.
• Ruby (Brooklynn Prince): A young elephant whose arrival inspires Ivan to seek freedom from captivity.
• Stella (Angelina Jolie): A wise old elephant who acts as a mentor to Ruby and encourages Ivan to protect her.
• Bob (Danny DeVito): A stray dog and Ivan’s loyal friend, providing comic relief and unwavering support.
• Julia (Ariana Greenblatt): A kind girl who recognizes Ivan’s artistic talent and advocates for the animals’ freedom.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Ivan: “Stories matter.” – Ivan reflects on the power and importance of stories in shaping our understanding of the world.
• Stella: “It’s a lovely cage.” – Stella says this with a sense of resignation about her life in captivity, despite the relative comfort.
• Mack: “I bought him for her. And he made her happy.” – Mack explains why he initially got Ivan, showing his love for his then-wife and their shared affection for the gorilla.
• Bob: “Humans are the worst. Cockroaches have bigger hearts.” – Bob expresses his cynical view of humans, highlighting their capacity for cruelty towards animals.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $80 million
• Domestic Gross: $0
• Worldwide Gross: $0

💥 The One and Only Ivan Reviews

Personal Review

I absolutely loved this movie! The animal characters were so endearing, and the story really tugged at my heartstrings. I especially enjoyed the scenes where Ivan was painting – it felt like he was expressing his inner self through art. The ending made me cry, but in a good way! It’s a film that will stay with me for a long time. The voice acting was superb, and I appreciated how the film handled the sensitive topic of animal captivity. It made me think about the importance of treating all creatures with kindness and respect.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Families looking for heartwarming stories”
  • “Animal lovers”
  • “Fans of movies with strong moral themes”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Mild peril”
  • “Themes of animal captivity”
  • “Sad moments involving animal death”

Professional Reviews

• Common Sense Media: “This movie handles a difficult topic with grace. The voice acting is wonderful, the visuals are stunning, and the story is heartwarming without being overly sentimental. A good choice for family viewing, but be prepared for some emotional moments.
• Variety: “While aimed squarely at a family audience, ‘The One and Only Ivan’ manages to offer some genuine emotional depth. Rockwell’s nuanced performance as Ivan anchors the film, while Cranston effectively portrays the complexities of a man caught between affection and economic necessity.
• The Hollywood Reporter: “Despite a talented cast and visually impressive CGI, ‘The One and Only Ivan’ struggles to fully capture the emotional resonance of the source material. The film’s sanitized approach to the realities of animal captivity may leave some viewers wanting more.

Audience Reactions

The CGI animals are incredibly realistic and expressive, bringing a whole new level of emotional depth to the story.: Many viewers praised the stunning visuals and lifelike animation of the animal characters.

Bryan Cranston’s performance as Mack is surprisingly nuanced and sympathetic, adding a layer of complexity to the story.: Audiences appreciated the complex portrayal of Mack, showcasing both his flaws and his love for the animals.

Overall Consensus: A heartwarming family film with impressive visuals and a touching story, but may not fully satisfy those seeking a more in-depth exploration of animal captivity.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film is based on the Newbery Medal-winning book of the same name by K. A. Applegate, which in turn is inspired by the true story of Ivan, a gorilla who lived for nearly 30 years in a shopping mall in Tacoma, Washington.”
• “To prepare for his role as Mack, Bryan Cranston spent time observing animal trainers and learning about their relationships with the animals they work with.”
• “The filmmakers used a combination of motion capture and CGI to bring the animal characters to life, aiming for realistic expressions and movements.”
• “The real Ivan lived at Zoo Atlanta for many years after being rescued from the B&I Circus Store. The zoo served as an advisor for the film, ensuring the accuracy of gorilla behavior and environment.”

🖥️ How to Watch The One and Only Ivan?

The One and Only Ivan is available to stream on Disney+. You can also purchase or rent the movie through platforms like Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check these services for current pricing and availability in your region.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The One and Only Ivan, you might like these similar films:

• Free Willy (1993): Both movies center on the emotional bond between humans and captive animals, and the fight for their freedom.
• War Horse (2011): Captures an animal’s journey, exploring themes of friendship, loyalty, and freedom against challenging circumstances.
• We Bought a Zoo (2011): Another Bryan Cranston movie of a similar family friendly theme. It’s about animal well-being and family bonds.
• Dolphin Tale (2011): Like Ivan, this film is inspired by a true story of an animal rescued and rehabilitated, emphasizing themes of hope and perseverance.

🛒 The One and Only Ivan Related Products

• The One and Only Ivan: A Novel: The Newbery Medal-winning novel that inspired the movie, delving deeper into Ivan’s thoughts and feelings. A must-read for fans of the film, offering additional insights into the characters and themes.
• Disney The One and Only Ivan Plush – Ivan: A soft and cuddly plush toy of Ivan the gorilla. Perfect for kids and collectors alike, bringing the beloved character to life in a huggable form.
• The One and Only Ivan (Digital Movie): Own the digital version of the movie and watch it anytime, anywhere. Perfect for repeat viewings and family movie nights.
• Crayola Ultimate Crayon Collection, 152 Colors: 152 crayons with vibrant colors! Give the gift of creativity to help your children express their inner artist

🎧 Soundtrack

The One and Only Ivan features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Free” – performed by Charlie Puth
• “Soundtrack from the Motion Picture” – performed by Craig Armstrong

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Ariana Greenblatt on How Infinity War Prepared Her For The One and Only Ivan

Ever wondered how playing Gamora as a kid prepared Ariana Greenblatt for ‘The One and Only Ivan’? She spills the tea on special effects and filming in London – definitely a fun watch!

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