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This review has been handed over to a guest writer due to her better connection with the material.

Nimona by A.W.

As someone who read and really loved ND Stevenson’s graphic novel of Nimona when I was younger, I feel I may have a slightly bias opinion on this film. There is no doubt that I had a strong feeling of nostalgia while watching it. Even then, taken on its own merits this new Netflix/Annapurna Pictures adaptation has a lot of amazing qualities.

First off, the animation is great, but more than that it is the swerving story and the smart characters, recognisable but slightly different from those I connected with as a child. The main character ‘Nimona’, a shapeshifting non-human, has a decidedly savage yet still lovable personality and she pairs very well with the other prominent character, the neurotic Ballister’, to create scenes of equal comedy and joy.  The relationship this creates between the two is very sweet and develops really well over the film, as does that of Ballister and Ambrosius, both knights of this medieval futuristic realm. Theirs is a touching love story of childhood friendship which has grown into something else in adulthood.

I also have to comment on the style of humour in the movie, which is slightly out of pocket but made me laugh out loud throughout and never jarred with the more heartfelt moments. Overall, this is a great film and definitely one to watch with the whole family. I especially liked finally finding out whether a shark can dance – if you know, you know.