A whimsical and fun diversion for kids, Elli and Her Monster Team is eminently likeable and pure of heart. It’s not pushing the boundaries of animated storytelling, but it’s also not trying to sell kids on a product or idea. Based on a book by author Klaus Baumgart, this Canadian-German co-production (which got a release in Europe last year and in Quebec earlier this year, before making its way to the rest of Canada this weekend) is lightweight, but endearing. It’s comforting, sufficiently silly, and does everything it needs to succeed.
Elli (voiced in this dub by Sophie Nèlisse) is a thirteen year old ghost who wants to be everybody’s friend. She doesn’t want to learn how to scare humans like her Uncle Chamberlain (Terrence Scammell), and Elli years to have a family like the happy ones in the portraits on the walls of the mansion they’ve been haunting. But in their futuristic world, all “abnormalities” – a catch-all terms for ghosts and assorted monsters – are rounded up an imprisoned by a powerful supercomputer and its robot minions to help keep humans safe. When the machines to claim Uncle Chamberlain, Elli and her tiny mouse sidekick make their way to the big city on a rescue mission. There, she meets up with a quartet of monsters – a washed up vampire actor (Darryl Hinds), a spotlight adorning and kindly werewolf (Caroline Dhavernas), a sentient crystal ball (Wyatt Bowen), and a young Frankenstein’s monster (Daniel Brochu) – who’ve been hiding out in an amusement park fun house. While most of them are reluctant to travel outside the park to help Elli free her Uncle and all other monsters, they do act and bicker like the sort of family Elli wants to be a part of.
Directors and European animation veterans Piet De Rycker, Jesper Møller, and Jens Møller create a lively world and characters that capture the eye and imagination of viewers both young and old. Elli and Her Monster Team has plenty to keep youngster engaged with its sunny disposition, emotional engagement, and a likeable protagonist, and adults will find themselves laughing and snickering at some of the well timed gags and quips.
There’s not much else to say about Elli and Her Monster Team because it’s just trying to be a good bit of family entertainment. Nothing wrong with that at all. If I were a kid again, I’d probably have a blast with this. Even as an adult, I can see the value in such a well told story done in a warmhearted fashion. Is it an all time classic? That’s a stretch, but if you’re in the mood for a gentle and sweet movie to watch with the kids, Elli and Her Monster Team is a solid choice. And these days, I think I’ll take any kindness and positivity that I can get from the world.
Elli and Her Monster Team opens in select Canadian theatres on Friday, April 18, 2025.
