Review: Jumbo's sturdy themes shine through its disjointed (but lively) story

When Jumbo released in its native Indonesia earlier this year, it was nothing short of a sensation. It became the highest-grossing animated movie of all time there, beating Frozen 2. It became the highest-grossing Indonesian movie ever. And it even nabbed a nomination for the Best Picture Citra Award, which is Indonesia's Oscar equivalent (a first for an animated movie). So you can imagine this movie has been high on my want-to-watch list, and now that it's available on Netflix in much of Asia, I finally got to catch up with it.

It's easy to see why this movie is such a hit. This is a movie that has a lot going on, all of it pretty interesting, and even when it might be a little haphazard, it's so full of heart and fun that I found myself just shaking off what doesn't work as well. Jumbo is easy to watch, easy to love, and easy to root for.

At first glance, this is a movie with a pretty grounded story and relatable themes. The title refers to the nickname the local kids have given Don. He's a pudgy kid who doesn't quite fit in. He lacks the athletic prowess of his peers, is a little clumsy, and is always talking about the storybook his parents left him before they passed away, one that inspires him to bravely face the world, even when he feels lonely and scared. He decides to do a performance of said story for the town's local festival, hoping it'll help gain him some social cache if he can pull off a great show. Helping him are his trusty friends Mae and Nurman, both outsiders in their own right, too. Don sees them as heaven-sent (or rather, dead parents-sent); he can't imagine his life without them.

That's a good enough basis to build a solid movie, but Jumbo adds an additional layer of storytelling that, at first, felt like it was competing with the main plot, but eventually folds in pretty nicely. This comes in the form of a supernatural story that enters the characters' lives in the form of Meri, a ghost girl whose resting place is being tormented by a mysterious cloaked figure. She's on a ticking clock, and seeks help from Don and his friends to help her unravel the mystery and save her parents (also ghosts) before she disappears forever, presumably to never be able to rest in peace.

If these threads don't seem to naturally tie together...well, yeah, it feels a little clunky. But as the film finds its footing and lays out its narrative beats, things start clicking more naturally into place. If the narrative is a little shaky, at times, it's at least always clearly in service of the film's themes, which are sturdy and emotionally resonant, and I think are a big part of the film's success. 

A lot of the film is about friendship and empathy, what it means to really be there for someone, and understanding that people are coming from different backgrounds, family situations, financial struggles, etc. Over and over again, Don and his friends ask for and receive grace from each other. That's what friendship is: pulling up alongside those we care about, even when they hurt our feelings or fail to follow through on a promise. Don is prone to tunnel vision, only wanting to perfect his performance (and protect his precious book), often to the detriment of his friends (especially Meri, whose time is short). But the film always allows its characters the room to grow, to come back together, and to be a good team. There's even a cute "Avengers assemble"-style moment late in the film that really feels like the perfect encapsulation of what this movie is: an ode to the power and resilience of friendship.

With the storybook playing such a central role in the story, there's also a clear thematic focus on the importance of storytelling, the way is shapes and saves the world, and our worldviews. The story Don's parents left him gives him a lot of motivation to be brave as he faces the world around him, but also is able to teach him how to be a better friend and a more empathetic citizen of the world. The literal pages of the book even become a weapon of sorts in the final action-packed showdown.

With its lovable cast of characters, colorful animation, and strong themes, Jumbo is a film that deserves to reach an even wider audience than the considerable one it's already touched. I'm hoping Viva Kids or Well Go USA snatch it up for a US release. Because a movie as good as this deserves to be seen far and wide.