Quartile rating: 7/10 · 1 rating
Ferdinand, a little bull, prefers sitting quietly under a cork tree just smelling the flowers versus jumping around, snorting, and butting heads with other bulls. As Ferdinand grows big and strong, his temperament remains mellow. But one day five men come to choose the "biggest, fastest, roughest bull" for the bullfights in Madrid— and Ferdinand is mistakenly chosen.
Ferdinand is a competent and warm-hearted family animation that faithfully adapts the beloved children's book, adding modern humor and heart. The plot is straightforward and predictable — a gentle giant misunderstood by the world around him — hitting familiar beats without much surprise. Voice acting is solid and energetic but unremarkable, with the cast doing their job without standout performances. Cinematography is colorful and technically proficient Blue Sky Studios work, though it doesn't push visual boundaries in the way Pixar or Sony Animation have. The story's central message about being true to oneself is well-worn territory, and the film feels derivative of other 'gentle giant' and 'fish out of water' animated features, keeping Novelty low. The ending is feel-good and satisfying within its modest ambitions, delivering the expected resolution without much earned emotional punch.