Niko - Lentäjän poika (2008)

Directors:

Michael Hegner
Kari Juusonen

Writers:

Hannu Tuomainen (written by) and
Marteinn Thorisson (written by) ...

Release Date:

10 October 2008 (Finland)

Genre:

Animation | Adventure | Family

Plot:

A young reindeer who suffers from vertigo learns to overcome his fear, takes flying lessons from a clumsy flying squirrel and heads to the North pole to save a troubled Santa and his fleet of flying reindeer.

Plot Keywords:

Reindeer | Flying Squirrel | Wolf | Fatherless Child | Weasel

Awards:

5 wins & 5 nominations

Cast

Olli Jantunen	...	Niko (voice: Finnish version)
Hannu-Pekka Björkman	...	Julius (voice: Finnish version)
Vuokko Hovatta	...	Wilma (voice: Finnish version)
Vesa Vierikko	...	Musta Susi (voice: Finnish version)
Jussi Lampi	...	Räyskä (voice: Finnish version)
Risto Kaskilahti	...	Rimppa / Uljas (voice: Finnish version)
Minttu Mustakallio	...	Essie (voice: Finnish version)
Juha Veijonen	...	Raavas (voice: Finnish version)
Puntti Valtonen	...	Hirvas (voice: Finnish version)
Elina Knihtilä	...	Oona (voice: Finnish version)
Juulia Rönkkö	...	Saaga (voice: Finnish version)
Tommi Korpela	...	Porolauman johtaja (voice: Finnish version)
Aarre Karén	...	Isoisä (voice: Finnish version)
Arttu Hämäläinen	...	Poropoika 1 (voice: Finnish version)
Ilmari Huhtala	...	Poropoika 2 (voice: Finnish version)

Also Known As:

Det store stjernespring (Denmark) (working title)
Lentäjän poika (Finland) (working title)
Niko & The Way to the Stars (International: English title)
Niko - Ein Rentier hebt ab (Germany)
Niko - På väg mot stjärnorna (Finland: Swedish title)
Niko og de flyvende rensdyr (Denmark)
Niko og vejen til stjernerne (Denmark) (working title)
The Flight Before Christmas (USA)
The Way to the Stars (International: English title) (pre-release title)
Tie tähtiin (Finland) (working title)

Runtime:

80 min

Country:

Finland | Denmark | Germany | Ireland

Language:

English | Finnish

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Certification:

Denmark:7 | Finland:K-7 | USA:G | Ireland:PG | Netherlands:6 | Sweden:Btl | Singapore:G | South Korea:All

Filming Locations:

Finland

Company:

Cinemaker Oy

Trivia:

The film was animated to fit the English language, using a temporary voice track recorded by Irish actors. It was then dubbed to other languages.

Soundtrack:

Flying Forces Rock

Give children a chance to see this movie

Although I'm a Finn I can see where the negative comments of the American parents come from. You have grown up with the Disney policy of showing children only sugarcoated films trying to protect them from the real world. I am a great fan of enchantment, princesses and cute animals but to make changed versions of world classics such as The Little Mermaid in which the ending was ruined by changing it into a happy one is a sacrilege. The Andersen story is forever spoiled for those who have first seen the film.

I don't actually believe that children pay much attention to the one night stand or the macho behaviour of the reindeer. That's there for the grown-ups. The children are drawn to the story and if you don't point the other matter to them, it goes by like a snowflake.

On the other hand many children living with a single parent may relate to Niko's situation and find comfort in seeing that he is not an outcast. It would be wonderful if all families had two parents and everyone lived happily ever after but sadly it isn't so. The word bastard should be deleted from the world. Your own goals and resources are what matters, not your family background.

As mentioned in another post the animation of snow is fantastic in this movie. Also the animals are drawn well. The reindeer really look like this and the wolves' running rhythm is spot on. There are many local details like the landing light on the runway. They are called lumberman's candles in Lapland.