Tad and The Magic Lamp

Landing on Adventure: The First Ten Minutes Test

Jumping into "Tad and the Magic Lamp" on Pikashow, you will find vibrant and family-friendly animation. Right away in the show, you will meet the characters Tadeo, Sara, Momia, Jeff and Belzoni. Right away, you will see Tadeo set free an ancient spell by chance. It is quickly explained and there is a small dash of peril, before the film takes off. For younger viewers, the animation and sense of adventure help engage them. It is simple enough to keep a young child or adult engaged, and not a waste of time. One critic called the animation 'an attention grabber' and 'a distraction' and it is easy to see why. The character designs give a familiar feeling to those who have seen Enrique Gato's previous works, with a more modern, yet comfortable, feel. The jokes, at least at the beginning, aimed toward children, help engage the audience. It is a humorous film and helps grab the audience, pulling them into a new world. The score helps embellish the action, drawing you into the new, magical world. So far, the movie is much better than the talking heads of news.

Holding the Remote: Is It a Long-Haul Watch?

The one hour and 34 minute runtime of Tad and The Magic Lamp strikes a nice balance, keeping a quick pace by stringing together multiple gags, discoveries and action pieces. The target audience of this film is younger, so keeping it at a decent length is very important to maintain their focus. Pikashow's HD stream was a treat for the eyes, and the animation really showed off the different colors of the spectrum, both in the normal world and in the magical. Some critics have remarked that the comedic balance wavers, and the film gives a few 'nods for the adults' and more clevers references, but they often get outshined by the gross and moronic comedy aimed at the children. More of the 'nods' would go a long way in making this film more enjoyable for the parents, as their presence makes the film almost unwatchable for them.

Momia’s comedic relief often becomes burdensome, bordering on irritating, for some viewers. As a result, there are moments when you may want to flip (as an adult viewer, you may want more consistent wit and less ‘miscoe’). Despite this, many reviewers feel that side characters are strong and aid the ensemble cast as a whole. Overall, reviews for this film hover at a 6.6/10 and suggest that, while it is an enjoyable ride, many viewer felt there were slight irritations throughout.

This installment in the Tadeo Jones series is sure to please fans. One viewer even went as far to say it was the ‘best installment of the saga to date.’ However, for the newcomer, the comedic element may make for a more passive, less engaged, viewer experience.

Keep or Flip: The Verdict Against Live Cricket

So how did “Tad and the Magic Lamp” do with the flip test against a real life cricket match or a compelling documentary? Definitely for the under ten set. The colorful distractions and comparatively tame romp through the ancient mysteries makes for a simple and fun time for the kiddos. The film provides exactly what’s promised. A simple, fun, and quick animated comedy. This is probably all you can ask for with a film aimed at the younger audience and it delivers. The visuals are a treat, and there are little jokes here and there that are effective. Some repetitive and long gags, as well as annoying supporting characters keep it from being the first choice for a solo watch. It is pleasing to see that for its intended audience it is a hit judging by the audience reviews. The final 10 to 15 minutes are gorgeous, and provide the film’s highest notes leaving on a positive note. A better choice for the family is definitely this film, and definitely better than Tad Jones if you are a fan of either. It is nice and easy to watch for all ages, and visually pleasing. Just don’t expect this film to grab you for laughs the way something like Tad Jones 3 would. If you need something of a lower commitment and visually appealing with consistently funny and deep plots, the cricket match would win out.