Film Review: "Nimona" (2023).

"A little anti. A little hero." This is Nimona. This animated science fantasy adventure comedy drama film directed by Nick Bruno and Troy Quane, adapted by by Robert L. Baird and Lloyd Taylor, and based on the 2015 graphic novel of the same name by ND Stevenson. When Ballister Boldheart, a knight in a futuristic medieval world, is framed for a crime he didn't commit, the only one who can help him prove his innocence is Nimona, a mischievous teen with a taste for mayhem - who also happens to be a shapeshifting creature Ballister has been trained to destroy. But with the entire kingdom out to get him, Nimona's the best (or technically the only) sidekick Ballister can hope for. And as the lines between heroes, villains, and monsters start to blur, the two of them set out to wreak serious havoc - for Ballister to clear his name once and for all, and for Nimona to...just wreak serious havoc.

In June 2015, 20th Century Fox Animation acquired the rights for an animated feature film adaptation of Stevenson's webcomic. Patrick Osborne was hired to direct, and Marc Haimes was hired to pen the adaptation. In June 2017, 20th Century Fox scheduled the film for a February 14, 2020 release date. In March 2019, The Walt Disney Company completed its acquisition of Fox, then in May 2019, the film was delayed to March 5, 2021. In November 2019, the film was delayed again to January 14, 2022. Through 2020 there was word that the film would be released in 2022. By March, Osborne departed the film. Ultimately, Bruno and Quane were hired to direct. In June, Stevenson stated that the film was still happening. In August, it was reported that the film was still scheduled to be released in 2022, but gave no further details. In early February 2021, Disney announced it was shutting down Blue Sky Studios, and that production of the film was canceled. At the time of its cancellation, the film was reportedly 70% finished in Layout. In March, it was reported that Chloë Grace Moretz and Riz Ahmed were to have voiced Nimona and Ballister Blackheart, respectively, and that the film was being shopped around to other studios to be completed. In early April, it was announced that Annapurna Pictures had picked up the film earlier in the year, and would be releasing it on Netflix in 2023. DNEG Animation was announced as the project's animation partner. DNEG Animation completed all visuals for the finished film, including the titles, animation, and end credits. In December, it emerged that the film would serve as the first release of Annapurna's new division, Annapurna Animation. In late April 2023, Frances Conroy, Lorraine Toussaint, Beck Bennett, and RuPaul Charles were cast.

The film and the cast challenges younger viewers in asking to sympathize with characters who are completely unusual in every sense of the word.

To call the film frenetic is an understatement, but there is a level of control and visibility to its rapid-fire storytelling and fight scenes that is very welcome.

Simon says Nimona receives:

Also, see my review for Spies in Disguise.