The French-Canadian produced animated movie Katak, The Brave Beluga is a copycat of other family flicks.  But as far as knock-offs go, this is certainly one of the better ones.

Katak, a young beluga whale voiced by Robert Naylor, is the runt of his pod.  He hasn’t grown or turned white, and he’s singled out for these physical differences.  Additionally, despite the love and care he receives from older females around him, Katak is often exposed to the distress his support system is feeling, including his ailing grandmother (Mambo Italiano’s Ginette Reno).  The older belugas face, what they believe is, an inevitable hopelessness regarding a presumed extinction.  Katak, however, feels inspired to change the future’s course by chancing a quest to reunite grandma and her lost love.

From its adventurous story to its underwater world, the similarities to Disney/Pixar’s Finding Nemo are obvious;  and the dynamic between Katak and his grandma is very reminiscent of the primary relationship in Paddington 2 or Marcel the Shell with Shoes On (although this may be somewhat coincidental considering the timing between Marcel and Katak).  But despite those parallels, directors Nicola Lemay (Felix and the Treasure of Morgäa) and Christine Dallaire-Dupont find ways for this underdog tale to stand out on its own.  Katak, for instance, is a very endearing hero.  His loyalty towards his elders is sweet as is his wholesome persistence to do something kind for his grandma.  This bond helps us further root for Katak when the lil’ guy is trying to escape the clutches of the ferocious killer whale Jack-Knife (voiced by Terrence Scammell).  No matter the situation, and whether you’re young or old, we stick with Katak because of his winning personality;  a testament to the film’s heart as well.

While I appreciated the consistent goodwill behind Katak, The Brave Beluga, the results aren’t always as the filmmakers expect.  Andrée Lambert’s screenplay features moments that try to educate viewers on underwater life but, despite directorial efforts to make this content accessible, this “edutainment” doesn’t mesh well with the otherwise lighthearted tone.  It actually introduces some heavier themes and upsetting visuals that may make young movie goers confused and more inquisitive.  It’s never a bad thing for kids to be curious, but when the themes involve child loss, old age, and the unforgiving animal food chain, parents may feel blindsided.  If the subject matter had been watered down, the film could’ve addressed these topics in a less jarring way. 

Nevertheless, with caution, my recommendation is still intact for Katak, The Brave Beluga – a bright and delightful flick for families.

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Addison Wylie: @AddisonWylie