Richard the Stork

Directed by: Toby Genkel, Reza Memari
Written by: Reza Memari
Produced By: Kristine Knudsen Emely Christians
Starring: Cooper Kramer, Kristine Knudsen, Jane Lynch, iJustine, Drake Bell, Jonathen Todd Ross, Jason Griffith, Jimmy Zoppi
Music By: Eric Neveux
Production Company: Den Siste Skilling, Knudsen & Streuber Medienmanufaktur, Mélusine Productions, Ulysses Filmproduktion, Walking The Dog
Release dates: February 12, 2017 (BIFF), May 5, 2017 (Norway), June 30, 2017 (United States), May 11, 2017 (Germany), February 7, 2018 (France)

Plot: Richard, an orphaned sparrow, is adopted and raised by a group of storks. But when they leave on their annual migration south for the winter, Richard, a little non-migrating bird, endeavors to embark on the long arduous journey to stay with his stork family that must reveal his true identity and leave him behind in the forest, since he would not survive the journey to Africa.

Determined to prove he is a stork after all, Richard ventures south on his own, joined by an eccentric pygmy owl named Olga with an imaginary friend named Oleg and a narcissistic, disco-singing parakeet named Kiki. Along their epic journey, they run into many obstacles, like deadly bats, internet-addicted pigeons, mafia crows and a thundering jumbo jet.

When they finally find their way to Africa, it's up to Richard to rescue his stork brother Max from the clutches of a monstrous honey badger. The tiniest stork must learn to see himself as the greatest sparrow to unleash his true potential and be reunited with his family.

Review: This is an interesting film that explores the concept of a merged or mixed family. For an orphaned sparrow to be raised as part of a family of storks. Reflecting on this film we can see how many modern blended families struggle to find connection. This really is a good film for the whole family. Especially with children learning to find acceptance and place in life.

M J Flack