Kensuke’s Kingdom – Michael’s family want a new start, undertaking a boating journey around the world. But after a storm hits, Michael and dog Stella are swept overboard. Awaking on a remote island, the pair struggle to find food, water, and shelter. Yet the island isn’t as empty as it seems, with both help and danger never far away.

Kensuke’s Kingdom (2023) – Director: Neil Boyle, Kirk Hendry

Rating: PG

Running Length: 85 mins

Starring: Ken Watanabe, Aaron McGregor, Sally Hawkins, Cillian Murphy 

Genres: Drama

REVIEW: ‘KENSUKE’S KINGDOM’

Adapted from the popular book of the same name by Michael Morpurgo, ‘Kensuke’s Kingdom’ brings to life the classic castaway tale of self realisation and survival. Swept off the family boat and stranded on the beach of some unknown island, we follow young Michael (McGregor) and dog Stella as they learn to accept their fate. They share the island with Kensuke (Watanabe), an elderly Japanese man who has been stranded for so long that hope of rescue seems remote.

The choice to use animation as a medium means that directors Boyle and Hendry can imbue Morpurgo’s tale with a gorgeous otherworldliness. From the claustrophobia of awaking on a beach shrouded in mist, to Kensuke’s breath taking and extraordinary tree house construction, ‘Kensuke’s Kingdom’ fills every inch of the screen with lush details. Such an approach makes the story heavily accessible for children to watch, but also adds weight to a heart breaking watercolour style sequence depicting events from Kensuke’s past.

Much like it’s eponymous character, ‘Kensuke’s Kingdom’ is lean. The story is a simple one and requires few complications. Such brevity gives the movie ample room to find moments in its emotions. The language barrier between Michael and Kensuke doesn’t prevent the formation of a quick bond between the pair, and therefore with the audience as well. The result is a wonderful movie for all ages.

CONTENT: IS ‘KENSUKE’S KINGDOM’ SUITABLE FOR CHILDREN?

Michael is upset that the family has had to leave their dog, Stella, behind. He doesn’t understand why his parents made the decision (that a boat is too dangerous a place for a dog). This lack of understanding causes Michael to have made a big decision his parents are unhappy with when they discover his actions.

Michael holds some sailing apparatus that has a lens on it. He deliberately focuses a beam of sunlight through the lens onto his hand out of curiosity. After a couple of seconds, he yelps in pain however he hasn’t been badly hurt. He uses this apparatus later to deliberately start a fire.

As a playful sibling insult, Michael’s sister, Becky, tells him ‘I think you’re an idiot’.

A scene where several characters almost fall overboard is filled with panic and stress. All characters involved are scared but work together to save everyone in danger. This scene is fraught and exciting but short-lived.

During a bad storm, Michael is desperate to get onto the deck and in doing so, purposefully unclips his lifejacket to get away from his mother who is stopping him. When on the deck, a huge wave hits, knocking Michael overboard. His mother cries out in anguish and, far from the boat, Michael sinks below the waves.

Waking up, Michael is surrounded by an enveloping white fog. He can’t see anything else, his voice echoes when he calls out and the music of the scene is haunting and muted. This is a little spooky and could be unsettling for some children.

At night strange animal sounds can be heard in the island’s jungle. This noise builds quickly to become a terrifying cacophony that disturbs Michael. However, the scene is short and Michael is shown to be fine immediately after.

There are a few sudden jump scares throughout.

Desperate for food and water, Michael finds some berries and gleefully starts eating them. The scene then cuts to several hours later where he is shown vomiting.

One morning, someone has laid out some food and drink for Michael which he eagerly accepts. Although the circumstances are extreme in this instance, we mention this as parents may wish to reinforce any ‘stranger danger’ rules here.

Through smoke from a fire Michael has set, the silhouette of a man is seen. This is a little scary however the character is soon seen to be harmless.

There is a beautifully animated scene with little dialogue which depicts Kensuke’s past, involving the wife and son he left behind. A tragedy occurs and the animation gently and poignantly shows the viewer what happened. This will be clear to the adults watching, however it is ambiguous enough that younger children are unlikely to understand what has happened. The emotional sadness will be apparent though.

Rough and violent men with cages and guns arrive on the island to capture specimens of wildlife. Several birds are shot with tranquilisers and fall heavily to the ground. Two of the Orangutans previously seen to be peaceful and friendly are targeted and chased. This is a very tense scene culminating in a tragedy. As the boat leaves the island, an animal previously seen by the audience as kind and loving is locked in a cage, it’s plaintive cries calling out as it is taken away.

CAN I SEE A CLIP?

VERDICT: IS ‘KENSUKE’S KINGDOM’ SUITABLE FOR KIDS?

Although ‘Kensuke’s Kingdom’ contains several fraught moments, the gentle animation style and empathetic situations makes the movie highly engaging for children. From a personal perspective, we saw this movie in the cinema with our two children (the youngest of which was 4 years old at the time) and can confirm that both were enraptured by it. We therefore recommend this movie for ages 4-5 and up.

• Violence: 1/5 (use of weapons towards animals)
• Emotional Distress: 4/5 (fraught separation of family, distress due to solitude, one depiction of war and the consequences of such, upset at the fate of a animal whom Michael had formed a bond with)
• Fear Factor: 2/5 (the storm sequence is intense albeit brief, and the sequence with the hunters represents a prolonged threat against our characters)
• Sexual Content: 0/5
• Bad Language: 0/5
• Dialogue: 1/5 (Michael talks about missing his family)
• Other Notes: Deals with themes of accepting responsibility, survival in adversity, the reality of the exotic animal trade, holding on to hope, family loss, and surrogate family.

Words by Mike Record