The Secret Kingdom

Drawing on the sort of traditional quest narrative that has transported children’s imaginations into Narnia or whisked them off to Hogwarts, this Aussie family film might be a bit derivative but it also has an old fashioned charm. Despite appearances, including an opening sequence explaining the “above” and “below” realms we’re about to see, this isn’t based on a book but all from the imagination of writer/director Matt Drummond. Whether for the pleasure of multitasking or thriftiness, he also provides the voice for not one but three of the characters we’ll meet over the course of the film.

Things begin in the real world with Peter (Sam Everingham), a nervous kid, who has panic attacks at the thought of treading on cracks, and is further unsettled by a new move to the countryside with his younger sister Verity (Alyla Brown, and, yes, even the character names are a throwback) and their parents (David Gabardi and, sporting an awful ‘Allo ‘Allo accent for no particular reason, Alice Parkinson). After coming into possession of a strange looking ornament at the local general store - complete with mysterious owner - it’s only a matter of time before something magical happens.

And so it is that, in the dead of night, he and Verity find themselves dropping through the floor in their nightgear and entering a realm ruled by rather cute pangolins who immediately declare Peter to be the monarch who will save them from evil fear-speader The Shroud. It’s a familiar set up but well realised. The pangolins have lovely detail, down to the last hair, wet noses and scales and the world they inhabit feels as real and solid as ours. Soon young pangolin Pling (voiced by Darius Williams) hitches up with the youngsters to help them solve puzzles and find additional hidden objects that will help them defeat the Shroud.

The feel is reminiscent of Sixties and Seventies Children’s Film Foundation output - though a lot more polished - in that the acting is deliberately quite broad, with Verity a go-getter, verging on Violet Elizabeth annoyance, and Peter nervous but soon finding he’s more courageous than he thought. While this may feel a bit full on for adult audiences, it should help younger ones to follow the plot more easily. Each piece requires a bit of puzzle solving and each brings Peter, Verity and Pling into contact with more fantastical creatures. There’s mysterious bushbaby Lumiere (whose vocals, by Greenwood, sound like a cross between Yoda and a distant relative of Aleksandr the Meerkat), shape-shifting dragon Mendax (also Greenwood), who is just ambiguous enough to carry the prospect of dread, and a two-headed turtle with a tendency to speak in rhyme. The jokes don’t always land as solidly as they might, but the mix of emotion and adventure elements feels about right.

Although there is some mild peril here, this is a film that is built on thinking outside the box, the importance of friendship and drawing on your inner strength, even when you think that’s tough. While adults tend to sniff at famliarity, it’s worth remembering that younger children, in particular, like that sort of thing - and they’re likely to find this engaging from start to end. Drummond, who has a history in visual effects, also proves himself to be an impressive world builder that bodes well for future projects.