A new superhero movie hits Disney+ tomorrow...but it's not Black Widow! Instead, we're getting Flora & Ulysses, a family-friendly adventure which follows whip-smart 10-year-old Flora, a die-hard comic book fan dealing with the recent separation of her parents. After rescuing a squirrel she names Ulysses, the youngster discovers that this adorable critter has superpowers, and a heart-warming, albeit occasionally clichéd, adventure follows.
There are a lot of familiar trappings here, whether it's the parents on the brink of divorce who are quite clearly meant to be together or the villainous pest-control guy looking to get his hands on that squirrel by any means necessary. If you've seen a movie like this in the past (and chances are you will have done), you'll probably be able to figure out where it's going, but that doesn't mean it's not still an enjoyable story to watch play out. Flora & Ulysses features plenty of big laughs, some great set pieces, and is the perfect movie for any superhero loving kid. Throw in the fact that one of the leads is a squirrel you'd no doubt love to have as your sidekick too, and even the most jaded of comic book movie fans will find it hard not to crack a smile watching this one.
Flora & Ulysses is a Disney+ Original, but there's definitely franchise potential here, and it would be a shame not to revisit this world in the not too distant future. At 90 minutes, it breezes by, and if nothing else, is an animated spinoff focused on Ulysses' adventures too much to ask for?
Matilda Lawler is absolutely fantastic as Flora, and clearly a talent to watch out for moving forward. Extremely likeable, and a real natural when it comes to acting, this movie simply would not work as well without her. It's also nice to see more of Benjamin Evans Ainsworth after his memorable turn in The Haunting of Bly Manor, while Alyson Hannigan and Ben Schwartz are highlights as Flora's parents. The only noteworthy weak point is Danny Pudi; as Flora & Ulysses' primary antagonist, he neither brings any malice nor comedy to the role, and sadly stands out as a weak point.
Director Lena Khan does a solid job with the material, though, and we'd be shocked to learn she's not a die-hard comic book fan herself. This movie does often feel like a love letter to that world, even if the grouchy comic book store owner serves as another cliché to add to the list. The bright, colourful world this comedy-adventure takes place in feels like classic Disney, and from a visual standpoint, it's a terrific looking piece of filmmaking. Ultimately, it's important to remember this is a film aimed primarily at a younger audience, and they're sure to have a blast with it. Watching Ulysses in action is never not fun, and for an original superhero story, it mostly manages to hit all the right beats and has a lot of heart at its centre.
Matilda Lawler soars as Flora in this fun, if somewhat clichéd, take on superheroes. Still, with plenty of love for comic books, a charming VFX squirrel, and a lot of heart, it's a solid addition to Disney+'s family-friendly Originals.