Unsurpassed plot contrast. Touching, tragic and complete.

Rating: 10/10 (4 January 2007)

What begins as a would be cliché fantasy immediately shows it means business as much, much more.
I would think twice about letting a very young child watch this film, it can be horrifically brutal while heartwarming at the same time.
The characters are well developed, you care for them. The performances are solid all around.
The fantasy elements are as clever as they are good looking CGI-wise.
After flipping through a few pages of these reviews most people with negative responses were expecting Disney type plot convenience, and cut aways rather then actually showing the violence.
The entire film acts as a metaphor for growing up, it has messages about relationships, courage, honor, fear, and most of all the harshness of life.
The stark contrast of the young girl's fantasy to her real world surroundings will keep you glued to the screen.
You can't compare this to a harry potter or lord of the ring, it shines in its own way.
Don't miss this one.