Marona's Fantastic Tale Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		3.5
Overall		4.0

Marona's Fantastic Tale Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf November 8, 2020

There was a persistent run of dogsploitation movies in American theaters for a few years a short time ago, with Hollywood trying to deliver sappy stories of canine misery and redemption for audiences hungry to cry over cute pooch antics. Mercifully, “Marona’s Fantastic Tales” doesn’t join the trend, with director Anca Damian attempting to avoid maudlin impulses, presenting an animation examination of a dog’s POV as it experiences life with multiple owners. There’s sadness here, of course, but Damian is more interested is capturing the world as a canine sees it, using screen artistry to develop a wonderland of exploration for viewers to study.

Fair warning: “Marona’s Fantastic Tale” opens with the main character being struck by a car, slowly dying on the street. The screenplay explores Marona’s memories of life as she gradually expires, returning to her birth before accepting ownership from three different people around Paris, including an acrobat, a construction worker, and a young girl in need of a friend. “Marona’s Fantastic Tale” doesn’t dive into happy times, but Damian is mindful of the dog’s world, using this innocence to inspire a liquid look at Marona’s adventures with street life and domestic arrangements. Animation is wildly inventive throughout “Marona’s Fantastic Tale,” with surreal character designs and backgrounds, and Damian doesn’t slow the visual experience one bit, massaging extremity and symbolism from beginning to end. While the feature is gorgeous, there are times when Damian is caught up in animated interests, sacrificing dramatic needs along the way.

Marona's Fantastic Tale Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.84:1 aspect ratio) presentation delivers a brightly colored world for "Marona's Fantastic Tale," with the animation providing rich primaries to explore the dog's titular journey. The production keeps hues vibrant, while blacks are equally strong, getting a sense of Marona's fur and her view of the open world. Detail is maintained, securing the textures of different animation styles. Some mild banding is detected at times.

Marona's Fantastic Tale Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 5.1 DTS-HD MA sound mix keeps things gentle but sharp, with scoring especially crisp with percussion and orchestral movements. Dialogue exchanges are distinct, with warm narration and clear accents. Surrounds aren't lively, but music is circular and atmospherics have their moments, dealing with street bustle and nature walks. Low-end isn't challenged, but some elements of violence have weight.

Marona's Fantastic Tale Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Interview (12:39, HD) with director Anca Damian examines her own experience with dog ownership, recalling the time she found her personal pet, inspiring the creation of "Marona's Fantastic Tale." The emotional experience of being with a dog informed the writing process, with Damian eventually recruiting her son, Anghel, to complete the screenplay, offering unique insight into his mother's time with animals. For Damian, preserving a dog POV was critical, using Marona's limited emotional growth to help detail animal feelings in a realistic way while also tending to dramatic needs. The animation approach is shared, highlighting artistic achievements and the production's need to find fresh eyes to expand the world. And the interviewee closes with thoughts on the messages and themes of "Marona's Fantastic Tale."

• Q&A (23:06, HD) pays a visit to the 2019 Animation is Film Festival, where director Anca Damian sits down to examine the inspiration and creation of "Marona's Fantastic Tale," interacting with a moderator and, eventually, fielding questions from the audience.

• Art Gallery (3:17) collects character designs, background images, and storyboards.

• Trailers (HD) include a U.S. Teaser (:40), U.S. Trailer (1:55), U.S. English Dub (1:55), and a French Trailer (1:55).

Marona's Fantastic Tale Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Marona's Fantastic Tale" is bittersweet, and probably plays best with dog owners who feel a primal connection to their pets. Other viewers are treated to an animation showcase from Damian, who uses various techniques and textures to tap into Marona's experience throughout her life with multiple humans. It's not an overwhelming endeavor, but it's a creative one, with Damian working hard to communicate a childlike view of a growing world for a dog who only wants to love and be loved.