ROME FILM FESTIVAL Alice in the City / Italy
Winx fly into 3D
Born from the imagination of Iginio Straffi, Winx are today the standard-bearers of Italian product across the world. A global hit produced by Rainbow S.p.A., they first appeared on TV (where the fairies’ adventures are broadcast in 150 countries to blockbuster audience figures) and have become a licensing phenomenon to the revenue tune of – among gadgets, books, figurines, magazines, games and DVDs – €2.5bn.
After their first feature in 2007 (the lackluster The Secret of the Lost Kingdom), the Winx fly back to the big screen in Winx Club 3D: Magic Adventure [+see also:
trailer
film profile], once again directed by Straffi, who co-wrote the script with Francesco Artibani and Mauro Uzzeo. The film will go down in local history as the first Italian feature film made entirely in 3D.
After defeating Baltor, the courageous Bloom, the fire fairy, enjoys some bumpy but quality time in her new life as princess of the Domino Kingdom, and love with the noble Sky. However, danger lurks just around the corner: the Tree of Life, which keeps white and black magic in balance, is attacked by the wicked Trix, who are up to Baltor’s tricks… Will Bloom and her friends Stella, Musa, Flora, Tecna and Aisha win out over their long-time nemeses and restore order?
Like in every fairy tale, the answer is a given. As is the sampling of tests of bravery and generosity that the Lolita-esque protagonists, and their dashing companions, will face. Those searching for the poetry of Hayao Miyazaki or the complexity of the latest Pixar masterpieces had better search elsewhere. Here, the desire for a happy ending steamrollers any possible trouble. And despite lofty references – according to Straffi, “The family opposing the marriage between Bloom and Sky harkens to Romeo and Juliet and the Tree of Life to God’s creation of the world, as described in the Cabala” – the proceedings are pure and simple entertainment.
Produced by Rainbow CGI Animation Studios, Winx Club 3D: Magic Adventure, it will released just after its premiere at the Rome International Film Festival, distributed by Medusa.
(Translated from Italian)
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