Immerse in The Moving Fantasy Saga of The Legend of Ochi, Witness the Astonishing Puppetry Spectacle
The Story of Isaiah Saxon's 'Ochi' Takes the Familiar Path Less Trodden
Writer-director Isaiah Saxon's 'The Legend of Ochi' seems like a worn-out trail-a heartfelt tale about a clueless preteen who befriends an off-limits monster, echoing the old 'E.T. the Extraterrestrial'-but with such passion and creativity that forgiving it becomes a breeze. Pay attention to the worldbuilding; the monsters, played by expressive puppets, spin a yarn that's both captivating and gritty. Even in the face of familiar territory, the setting feels grounded, striking a balance between natural charm and raw reality.
The protagonist, a girl named Yuri (Helena Zengel), takes you on a journey through her world, a small island clinging onto old customs but swayed with the modern advantages, like cars and heavy metal. Here, the villagers speak of the 'ochi'-the creatures of dread dwelling in the mountains near the village. Yuri reveals that these creatures destroyed her family-but as the story unfolds, it becomes clear her parents didn't part ways due to fear of the ochi. There's also her adopted brother, Petro (Finn Wolfhard from 'Stranger Things'), but his role is surprisingly insignificant.
Willem Dafoe plays Yuri's dad, a man with an unquenchable thirst for hunting and killing the ochi, but he's not as ferocious as that might imply. His makeshift "army" consists of local boys trained to fight, but he's blinded by his pursuit of destruction, failing to notice Yuri's misery. He can't fathom the notion of a peaceful coexistence between humans and ochi.
Emily Watson delivers a more lenient perspective as Yuri's estranged mom. She may have lost her hand after an encounter with an ochi, but her academic understanding of the creatures is impressive. Especially when it comes to their unique vocalizations. But as with many tales of this kind, Yuri's point of view is what truly matters. That is until she encounters an injured baby ochi, separated from its family.
Though the ochi is revealed early on, it's only when we get close to the baby that we realize how special these creatures are. Thanks to the puppet's exceptional craftsmanship, the baby ochi evokes both a cuter E.T. and Gizmo from 'Gremlins'. Yuri orchestrates a bonding moment with the creature, calming it with a pair of fake fangs, leaving a cheeky message for her father, slipping on her signature yellow parka, and embarking on a journey with the iconic villain tucked securely in her backpack like Yoda.
There're moments of laughter along the way. The inevitable clash between Yuri and her father's army brings a smattering of humor-especially with Willem Dafoe's flamboyant ultraviolence. But 'Ochi' is essentially about the evolving bond between Yuri and the creature. The baby ochi is alone in a world that can be harsh and unforgiving-a feeling Yuri understands all too well. Together, they navigate their complex journey, revealing more about Yuri's self-discovery than the fate of the Ochi.
Even when you know exactly where 'The Legend of Ochi' is going, the pleasure of getting there is worth savoring. If its heartfelt lessons about empathy, compromise, and harmony don't stir hope and maybe a few tears, you might want to check your cynicism. And if the baby ochi puppet doesn't elicit a bout of extreme cuteness overload, you might need to consult a doctor.
'The Legend of Ochi' releases widely on April 25.
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'Ochi' and 'E.T.' : A Side-by-Side Analysis
Though 'The Legend of Ochi' and 'E.T. the Extraterrestrial' share some common ground, there are notable differences in setting, plot, and character development:
- Setting: 'E.T.' is set in a suburban American neighborhood, while 'Ochi' takes place on a remote island, showcasing wilderness and rural landscapes.
- Plot Tone: 'E.T.' maintains a lighter and more humorous tone, focusing on the friendship between Elliott and E.T., while 'Ochi' adopts a more serious and moody approach, focusing on themes like family conflict and the hunting of the Ochi.
- Character Motivations: In 'E.T.', the government is the antagonist, trying to capture the alien. In 'Ochi', Yuri's father acts as the primary antagonist, driven by a desire to protect his livestock from the Ochi.
- Character Development: While 'E.T.' focuses more on Elliott's emotional growth, 'Ochi' is more about Yuri's understanding of her family's past and her relationship with her estranged mother.
- Visual and Special Effects: 'E.T.' was groundbreaking in its time for its use of technology to create E.T.'s character, while 'Ochi' uses more tactile, practical effects, like handmade puppets, to bring the Ochi to life.
- The review of 'The Legend of Ochi' on io9 highlights its technological emphasis, drawing comparisons to classic films like 'E.T. the Extraterrestrial' and 'Gremlins' due to the exceptional puppet craftsmanship of the baby ochi.
- The narrative of 'The Legend of Ochi' ventures into the realm of entertainment genres, intertwining elements from movies and TV, particularly the 'movies-and-tv' section of Gizmodo, with its exploration of family conflicts and the celebrated bond between a girl and her unusual companion.
- As our future entertainment preferences evolve, io9 and Gizmodo offer insights into the future of technology, movies, and TV, shedding light on anticipated releases and trends in the world of entertainment.
