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The One and Only Ivan

Play trailer 2:25 Poster for The One and Only Ivan PG 2020 1h 33m Kids & Family Comedy Adventure Play Trailer Watchlist
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72% Tomatometer 118 Reviews 65% Popcornmeter 250+ Ratings
A gorilla tries to piece together its past and escape captivity with help from an elephant.
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The One and Only Ivan

The One and Only Ivan

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Critics Consensus

An uncertain approach to the story's darker themes undermines its emotional stakes, but The One and Only Ivan offers heartwarming entertainment for younger viewers.

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Critics Reviews

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Randy Myers San Jose Mercury News One of this summer's best family films. Rated: 3.5/4 Dec 23, 2022 Full Review Angie Han FilmWeek (KPCC - NPR Los Angeles) It doesn't feel like the film knows what it wants to be, and I think the biggest problem is that it brushes up against some really thorny territory like animal captivity and freedom... And yet it seems to really lack the teeth to go there. Sep 1, 2020 Full Review Stephen Romei The Australian The director and writer do introduce plot twists that are not in the book, but they should have gone further. They soften bits of it, with the younger viewers in mind. They should have had us on the edge of our seats... Rated: 2.5/5 Aug 31, 2020 Full Review Manuel São Bento MSB Reviews Boasting an impeccable cast and one of my favorite scores of the year, this adaptation of Ivan's true story might follow a (slightly changed) generic formula, but it's undoubtedly an emotional journey worthy of everyone's attention. Rated: A- Jul 24, 2023 Full Review Keith Garlington Keith & the Movies The story shows signs of stress especially as it threatens to turn into an animal version of “The Great Escape”. White (thankfully) dials it back and points towards a potentially better finish. Rated: 3/5 Aug 24, 2022 Full Review Marwa Hamad Gulf News (UAE) As a whole, it deals delicately with loss, friendship and the idea of breaking the cycle of abuse. Jul 15, 2021 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Julian L Pretty good, but the book is better, and it has a good point of humans hurting animals but feels a bit exaggerated, even if not. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 10/06/24 Full Review Dale R A Disney+ original movie based on the novel by K. A. Applegate, which in turn is based on true events about a Lowland Gorilla that was an attraction at a mall. Allowing the animals in the “Big Top Mall'' to have a voice was an interesting choice that I wasn’t ready for. Sam Rockwell voices Ivan well and Angelina Jolie was also great as the elephant Stella. Bryan Cranston plays the owner of the animals and delivers a good performance. The animation for the animals is on par with the Lady and the Tramp remake and using a gorilla as the main character allows for better facial emotional expression. The story itself is predictable and bland, but may entertain the younger audience. A movie worth checking out if you like the source material or the plot sounds interesting. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 07/07/24 Full Review SkyRo P Prepare to be enchanted by the magical journey of "The One and Only Ivan," a film that will warm your heart and leave you with a smile. The CGI work is exceptional, drawing you in with its captivating visuals, complemented by stellar voice acting, particularly from Angelina Jolie. Charlie Puth's title track adds another layer of depth, keeping you engaged from start to finish. Within the first 20 minutes, tears welled up in my eyes, a testament to the emotional depth of the story. This movie tugs at your heartstrings, evoking a profound sense of sadness that resonates with the audience, highlighting the characters' value. The animals are charmingly eccentric, bringing humor and lightness to the narrative, yet there's a poignant undertone that keeps you invested in their journey towards survival and freedom. Every moment of the film is a delight, leaving you wanting more. It's a must-watch for families, offering valuable lessons about compassion, unity, and the bond between people and animals. "The One and Only Ivan" is a heartwarming tale filled with love and warmth that will leave a lasting impression on viewers. #TheOneAndOnlyIvan Rated 4 out of 5 stars 06/27/24 Full Review DJ W Fun, entertaining, heartfelt family movie Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 09/28/23 Full Review Rodrigo C this is the movie that was the memory of Ivan the Gorilla 1962-2012 Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/02/23 Full Review Neyney W Before you even read the review, just know that I am rating this movie as a reader of the book. For those who have not read the book, you may like this movie. It won't keep you on the edge of your seat or anything, but, it's not terrible. With that said, for those who've read the book, you already know what I'm going to say. By making so many changes to the plot, characters, and overall tone, they've taken a majority of the heart out of The One and Only Ivan. Starting off with the one and only Ivan himself. He's portrayed in the book as an actual animal. A lonely (but optimistic), imprisoned gorilla just trying to make the most of what he has whilst still hoping for a world beyond his cage. But in the movie, he acts as though Mac had not stolen him from his family and he'd just willingly became an addition to the Exit 8 Big Top Mall. I mean, sure, in the book it's not like he only thought about his life in the jungle, but whenever he thought about his sister and parents, it really evokes the readers' emotion as they know what it is that happened that day he was taken away from his home. While in the movie they even make this meaningless escape scene where the animals actually have the opportunity to leave but decide not to. While it could be true that they were too frightened by the idea of going beyond known territory, I feel that the chance to experience a world outside his prison would override that fear. But, I digress. The movie is not worthy of any award. Rated 1 out of 5 stars 04/05/23 Full Review Read all reviews
The One and Only Ivan

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Cast & Crew

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Movie Info

Synopsis A gorilla tries to piece together its past and escape captivity with help from an elephant.
Director
Thea Sharrock
Producer
Allison Shearmur, Angelina Jolie, Brigham Taylor
Screenwriter
Mike White
Production Co
Walt Disney Pictures, Digital Makeup Group
Rating
PG (Mild Thematic Elements)
Genre
Kids & Family, Comedy, Adventure
Original Language
English
Release Date (Streaming)
Aug 21, 2020
Runtime
1h 33m
Sound Mix
Dolby Atmos, DTS
Aspect Ratio
Scope (2.35:1)
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