Kirikou and the Sorceress (1998)

96% of critics liked it
(24 reviews)
84% of users liked it
(4,100 ratings)

This fanciful, animated feature from French artist and director Michel Ocelot is based on a popular folk tale from West Africa. Kirikou (voice of Theo Sebeko) informs his mother from the womb that it's time for him to be born, but when she's too slow, he simply does the work himself. After learning… More This fanciful, animated feature from French artist and director Michel Ocelot is based on a popular folk tale from West Africa. Kirikou (voice of Theo Sebeko) informs his mother from the womb that it's time for him to be born, but when she's too slow, he simply does the work himself. After learning that his parents' village is being threatened by a sorceress with a taste for human flesh, Kirikou leaps into action to save the day, encountering friends and foes along the way, including a monster who can drain waterfalls and lakes with his enormous thirst and a wise man living on a magic mountain. Kirikou and the Sorceress also features an original score by acclaimed Senegalese musician Youssou N'Dour. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 14 min.
Directed By: Michel Ocelot
Written By: Michel Ocelot
Genres: Drama, Animation, Kids & Family, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Special Interest

In Theaters: Jan 1, 1998 Limited
On DVD: May 24, 2005
Studio: Gebeka

Critic Reviews

Lisa Alspector, Chicago Reader
TAn enchanting, life-affirming animation of love and redemption, made with no small measure of maturity and care - along with an all too rare respect for the art of storytelling.
Ted Shen, Chicago Reader
A marvel for eye and ear.
Frank Scheck, Hollywood Reporter
This charming animated feature is a welcome antidote to the relentless cutesiness inherent in so many child-oriented toons.
Michael O'Sullivan, Washington Post
Kirikou and the Sorceress's surprising honesty about the banality of evil makes the movie -- even with all its magic -- feel truly authentic.
Eric Harrison, Houston Chronicle
Should appeal to younger children and to adults who can appreciate its quiet pleasures.
Liam Lacey, Globe and Mail
Ingenious, comical and beautifully original.
Ali Catterall, Film4
An enchanting, life-affirming animation of love and redemption, made with no small measure of maturity and care -- along with an all too rare respect for the art of storytelling.
Philip French, Observer [UK]
The two-dimensional drawings with the characters usually in profile look like folk art and have the feel of a children's book.
Enrique Buchichio, Uruguay Total
(...) Disney ha hecho películas de animación mucho más exitosas y conocidas. Hay varias razones, sin embargo, para que todas ellas aparezcan tan chiquitas como Kirikou al lado de esta maravilla.
Patrick Peters, Empire Magazine
A welcome antidote to anodyne Hollywood cartooning.
, Time Out
It's a great package: salutary, short (74 minutes) and sweet.
Steve Tilley, Jam! Movies
The soundtrack, by well-known African composer Youssou N'Dour, using only traditional instruments, lends to the film's timeless feel, like an age-old fable come to life.
Amber Wilkinson, Eye for Film
The animation is colourful and engaging, with Ocelot drawing on imagery from African tribal art and Egyptian mythology to give the film a unique feel.
Peter Bradshaw, Guardian [UK]
Reasonable stuff, but perhaps only for very little children.
Ken Fox, TV Guide's Movie Guide
Don't even think of missing it.
Jamie Russell, BBC
One of the most enchanting animated features in quite some time.
Shirley Sealy, Film Journal International
In addition to being an uplifting morality tale suitable for all ages, this refreshingly different work by filmmaker Michel Ocelot is an aural as well as a visual delight.
Wesley Morris, San Francisco Examiner
If the moral of this folk tale seems obvious -- and it won't be to most children -- watching it unfold is its own reward.

Read all 18 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Lesley N

Pocket-sized Kirikou, top contender for hero-with-the-cutest-bum-in-the-world, sorts out his villagers woes and saves the day. The plot flows along like being read to from a much-loved storybook and there's lots of rich colours and pretty music by Youssou N'Dour.… More
Pocket-sized Kirikou, top contender for hero-with-the-cutest-bum-in-the-world, sorts out his villagers woes and saves the day. The plot flows along like being read to from a much-loved storybook and there's lots of rich colours and pretty music by Youssou N'Dour. Fabfabfabfabfab...
Marcus W

Simple yet effective animation brings this African folk tale to life. There's little to it: Kirikou is born tiny but doesn't let that stop him as he sets out to stop the Sorceress. It's nicely written and certainly better than a lot of "churned out" Hollywood… More
Simple yet effective animation brings this African folk tale to life. There's little to it: Kirikou is born tiny but doesn't let that stop him as he sets out to stop the Sorceress. It's nicely written and certainly better than a lot of "churned out" Hollywood animation, yet it doesn't have that certain spark or sheen to give it the attention it deserves. Nonetheless, if you have the chance it's worth 75 minutes of your time.
Marion R

This was a very cool, myth story. I found it cute and very entertaining.

Cast

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Kirikou and the Sorceress (1998)

Critic Reviews

Featured Audience Ratings

Lesley N

Marcus W

Marion R

Cast

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