The Secret of the Wings
by Rebecca Hillary
Starring Timothy Dalton, Lucy Hale, Megan Hilty and Mae Whitman. Written by Roberts Gannaway and Peggy Holmes. Directed by Roberts Gannaway and Peggy Holmes. Produced by Lorri Broda, John Lasseter and Makul Wigert.
Even if these movies recycle stories and use generic children's story formulas, it doesn't prevent them from being a wonder to look at and heart-warmingly satisfying. Adults seeing the movie with children may be put off by any of the narrative elements of Secret of the Wings, but children (girls in particular) will no doubt love what they see. Eye popping colors and irridescent scenery make this film as absolutely gorgeous as the last three. There's no way you can't love the pink-cheeked, big-eyed fairies and their shimmering style.
This time around, Tinker Bell (Whitman) breaks all the rules and leaves her fairy commune to journey into the snow-covered Winter Woods. On her journey, she visits another group of fairies with whom she is never supposed to interact with, but she makes friends with a white-winged pixie named Periwinkle (Hale) and the two become inseparable quickly. This doesn't seem to be a problem until she brings Periwinkle home with her and things don't exactly go as planned.
Secret of the Wings is about branching out and breaking tradition – just because it's old doesn't make it right – and promotes thinking for yourself, which is nothing but a positive concept for young children to grasp. While it seems to touch on some environmental themes, it's ultimately about friendship and fighting for what you believe in, even if no one else agrees.
The script may not bring too much originality to the table, but it effectively develops the principle characters and seamlessly shows their growth over the course of their new experiences and relationship. For a children's story, it is highly effective and doesn't ever feel the need to dumb itself down in order for children to understand it. And in combination with the wonderful animation and the magical mood the film creates with all of the colors and mystical scenery, this film is one that competently does what it sets out to do. You may go into the theatre expecting a forgettable film, but after watching, you'll find yourself wanting to see it again – or at least anticipating the inevitable next installment.
© 2013
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