Thea Sharrock's touching take on Katherine Applegate's children's book gracefully weaves together the obvious with some headier ideas, offering up a smart kids' movie that is likely to really stick with its youngest viewers
the film's genuine bursts of emotion, combined with the wry warmth of the vocal performances and the deftly realistic rendering of the CGI animals, give the project a silverback gorilla-sized heaping of heart
sappy when it should be touching, dopey when it should be smart, and dumb when it should be funny, the movie has realistic CGI effects, but no magic whatsoever
it's another heartwarming picture from The Walt Disney Studios and it is sure to be a solid winner for Disney+; The One and Only Ivan is a film that the whole family will enjoy
a singular, stirring surprise; "The One and Only Ivan" is a notably muted, soulful portrait of a silverback gorilla who re-evaluates his seemingly contented life as a mall circus performer
"The One and Only Ivan" is just a vaguely watchable cookie-cutter caper thrown together by people who should know how to make something far sweeter and substantial, a fleeting attraction for undiscerning young kids and a whelming waste for anyone older
by Mike McGranaghan [Aisle Seat ]
by Danielle Solzman [Solzy at the Movies ]
by Benjamin Lee [The Guardian ]
by Molly Freeman [ScreenRant ]
