Introduction
Perfect for the St Patrick’s Day holiday, I found this little 2021 ditty, Riverdance: The Animated Adventure on Netflix and of course, I had to view it for one of my contributions to the annual #begorrathon and #ReadingIrelandMonth hosted yearly by Cathy at 746 Books.
Blurb
“After a heartfelt loss, Irish-born Keegan and his Spanish-born friend Moya learn to dance through danger and despair with a magical herd of spirit deer,” the mystical world of the Megaloceros Giganteus. Fancy footwork meets furry fun in this uplifting tale with new songs from Grammy-winning “Riverdance” composer Bill Whelan.
My Thoughts
There have been a number of fantasy or animated adventure releases with some amazing cinematography—many aimed at adults as well as children.
Sorry, this might not be. Perhaps it’s the spirit deer that, for me, reduces the feature more for children, but there were a number of scenes that were amazing.
I loved the dance scenes! So therein lies the difference between the CE and myself who felt that it definitely scored a high level multi-generational scope of entertainment. That might be the best part of the musical fantasy—a movie you can safely view with younger children without an involuntary crossing of your eyes or the need of earplugs.
Keegan loses his beloved Grandpa (Pierce Brosnan—gotta be one of my favorite Irish actors) early in the show. This poor kid has known loss before and is being raised by his grandparents who clearly love and adore him. Grandpa runs a lighthouse and is teaching Keegan all about it.
Keegan is being played by Sam Hardy (though the photo of Sam Hardy on Google’s website shows a picture of actor Sam Hardy born in 1883. Nope.) It’s difficult to find the Sam Hardy whose voice this is; Riverdance being his most recent credit of four in IMDB. Cute kid.
Keegan finds the devastating loss intolerable. It’s Moya who cajoles him into following him into the fanciful magic land of the spirit deer. And it’s Moya whose delicate and perfectly choreographed steps and dances leads him outside of his grief where he begins to push through the pain and find a positive celebration in life.
The animation ran from rather basic to amazing, depending on the scene. The water looked real half the time, the animated dancing remarkable. The storyline is really just a vehicle for the music and dancing. Sorry, but I didn’t understand where the Spanish girl came from and the deer kinda cooled my jets.
Riverdance, a theatrical show originally created as an interval act for a contest in 1994 in Dublin was written and composed by Bill Whelan and featured the incomparable Michael Flatley. The film was made by Cinesite for River Productions and Aniventure. The director was Dave Rosenbaum. Rotten Tomatoes gave it 67%.
There are a number of timely messages within the fairy tale musical. It’s sweet with traditions and friendship and deals with grief and community. Presented as a soft and natural, kind way of handling the subject, there is occasional comic relief, giving a respite to both children and adults alike. It’s thought provoking.
But Beauty and the Beast it’s not. Sick of that other one you’ve seen with your kid eighteen times? Check this one out. If not the frogs or stags, you might enjoy those dance scenes. And, can someone tell me if this kid is Irish?
It’s out now and streaming on Netflix.
©2025 V Williams
Rosepoint Publishing 