Watch Once Upon a Forest

Once Upon a Forest is a heartwarming animated movie from 1993, that tells the story of three animal friends who live in a beautiful forest: a courageous young mouse named Abigail, a sensitive badger named Russell, and a fun-loving hedgehog named Edgar. The movie takes place in a world where the forest is at risk of being destroyed by pollutants that are leaking from a nearby human construction site.

The story kicks off with a tragic event – a toxic chemical spillage that seriously injures one of the lead characters. The friends must go on a quest to the remaining forest to find a cure for their ailing friend. They come across Cornelius, an eccentric old badger who has spent his life studying the forest and its inhabitants. Cornelius tells them that the only cure for their friend’s illness is a plant that grows deep in the heart of the forest, beyond the trees that have been destroyed by the human construction site.

The animal friends set off on a dangerous journey to find the plant, and along the way, they face many obstacles including predators, floods, and forest fires. They also come across many other animals, from a family of birds who have lost their home to bears who lend them a helping hand. Their journey is long and perilous, but they never lose hope, and they never lose courage.

What makes Once Upon a Forest unique is how the story is told through the lens of ecological conservation. As the animal friends embark on their journey into the heart of the forest, they learn important lessons about the fragile balance of nature and the impact of human activity on the environment. The film’s message is clear – if we don’t take care of the environment, we will eventually destroy it and ourselves.

The musical score for Once Upon a Forest is equally impressive. The Academy Award-winning composer James Horner (who also wrote the music for Titanic and Braveheart) crafted a beautiful soundtrack that adds an emotional resonance to the story. The songs are all sung by Michael Crawford, Ben Vereen, and Ellen Blain, and they capture the spirit of the animal friends perfectly.

Another standout aspect of the movie is its stunning animation. The hand-drawn cells have a painterly quality that gives the film a dreamlike quality. Each frame is filled with rich detail and color, and the character designs are wonderfully expressive. The animators worked hard to give each animal a unique personality, and their efforts paid off handsomely.

In many ways, Once Upon a Forest is a perfect movie for families. It has a great story that both kids and adults can enjoy, the animation is beautiful, and the music is exceptional. However, it should be noted that the movie deals with some serious themes, like pollution and death, so it may not be appropriate for very young children.

In conclusion, Once Upon a Forest is a charming and heartwarming animated movie that teaches important lessons about the environment and the fragility of nature. The story is engaging, the animation is beautiful, and the music is exceptional. The movie is still worth watching today and serves as a reminder that we all have a responsibility to protect the world around us.

Once Upon a Forest is a 1993 animated movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 10 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.4.