The Flying Machine (2010) User Reviews

Polish animation

[SnoopyStyle · 5/10 · 17 January 2022]

Georgie (Heather Graham) takes her two children to see the 'Magic Piano' performed with famous pianist Lang Lang. They all end up inside the animated world.

The film inside the film is probably an interesting film. I'm not sure about doing a film inside a film in this case. Maybe they should have simply adapted the story straight into a live-action version. I do like the design of the flying piano. That could have been interesting. As it stands, the animation is a bit second tier. The music is lovely. I'm surprised that Graham is dancing. I hope that's her dancing. This is a Polish Chinese co-production and a bit of it is lost in translation.

Musical 3-D animation

[lucy-v-peck · 26 September 2011]

Superb animation set to Chopin music played by Lang Lang. Anyone, adult or child, who likes the original Fantasia will love this. The variety of animation is delightful and the three dimensional presentation heightens the excitement of the story which takes one from a nostalgically pre-modern Poland to high-tech London. My only reservation is some of the casting on the non-animated characters but this does not detract from the central story which is wonderfully moving and highly relevant to the situation in the world today, featuring an economic migrant father and a daughter left behind in Poland. The short films that are incorporated are varied and charming.

Terrible, Incongruous, Boring, Awkward, Confusing, Pointless

[Art_of_Aimee · 1/10 · 11 January 2014]

This feels like a movie created by AI rather than humans. It is AWFUL. The animated short "The Magic Piano" should be pulled out and re-packaged as a short; the stop-motion animation there is charming and the dialogue-free story told through Chopin's music would work for many people of various ages. Instead, "The Magic Piano" is jammed into this bizarre low-budget framing starring Heather Graham--huh? Did she lose a bet to someone?) that is at best a redundant rehashing of the plot points in "The Magic Piano." This framing story drags and drags painfully along (with tidbits of Chopin trivia artlessly and bizarrely squeezed in along the way). The children who watched this with me started commenting "This movie is way too long" at 30 minutes in, and I felt awful that their parents did not shut the thing off to spare them.

I cannot believe anyone has given this positive reviews unless paid to do so, which is why I am taking the time to explain my 1-star rating. It appears from the credits that a number of international entities collaborated to get this made (one of them has to be a Chinese Tourism Board of some kind), and this is my plea to the world that we abandon further attempts to make any films in this artless and painful way.

Rubbish but Lewell killed it really...

[rlaris · 2/10 · 11 November 2016]

The animation was awful, the actors could of been better (that bootleg Kate Winslet got on my nerves). Lang Lang was the highlight of the whole film (give him his own film..please). The voice over of Fred was ridiculous (huff). That Jane should of been at school, plus why was her mum American? The angles need to be worked ( more Lang Lang). Please don't make another one. Is Fred transgender? P.S The story didn't make sense. Lang Langs backstory was utterly heartbreaking was wasn't he the lead. Maybe more dialogue for Fred? Give Lang Lang an Oscar. Wasn't very realistic, even for a children's film.The audio at times was either too loud or quiet.The story was extremely hard to follow, had no clue what was going on.Not a recommended watch.

Cute and with beautiful photographs / graphics...

[RosanaBotafogo · 7/10 · 29 May 2020]

Very cute, I found the animation thing with balloons and the traveling piano slow and long, when they alternate and / or interact with the characters, it gains breath and becomes more interesting, very cute, in spite of considering the mother an wronged and taken as an alienated mother, wrongly ... Cute and with beautiful photographs / graphics ...

Must see for animators and lovers of Chopin

[dbarton-844-681540 · 9/10 · 13 September 2011]

The move is a 3d master piece which will raise the bar for anyone wishing to meld the different art forms of animation together. The movie takes the life of Chopin and makes it a mystical adventure that is as much a adventure for adults as it is for the children. In some regards it maybe more for adults because of the history and the complexity of the effects which will no doubt make it a contender for an Oscar in the animation and special effects categories. I do highly recommend the movie for the entire family. It might how ever be a little much for those who don't do well on amusement rides but it is an adventure not to be missed.

Unique and amazing experience

[duzeska · 10/10 · 28 September 2011]

Watching The Flying Machine was a truly unique experience and it will probably be the same for viewers in any age group. The first part of the film, which is a stop-motion animation with no dialogues, just the music of Chopin, is a small masterpiece. I can just imagine the incredible amount of work it must have taken to create a world so complex and full of beauty using puppets and I'm very impressed. The second, live action part, is less dreamy and more energetic, as we view the adventures of over-worked mom Georgie and her two kids: Fred and Jane, who travel on the flying machine through Europe, following the footsteps of Fredric Chopin. Chopin, who is the key to the film and whose music (performed by Lang Lang) was surprisingly touching and beautiful for me (I never thought I would be into classical music) is not only a musical genius, but an interesting character as well, as we get to know more about him during the film. I think one of the best things about the film is the fact that it can reach so many different viewers: animation fans, musical fans, families, those who want to learn about Chopin and classical music as well as those who dream about adventures. Go and see yourself!

Very very nice family movie

[dzeus91 · 10/10 · 27 September 2011]

Hi, in my opinion that kind of movie does not exist yet in film world.

It's really interesting for some reasons:

• Stereo 3D looks amazing (I do not know, how it works, but it is like I'm the part of the film world)

• Stop Motion - the best, that I have ever saw

• Heather - and her role - you can see the woman, that is working too much , see her problems - you can compare it to many many families

• Chopin's music - there is no other artist like Chopin.

My kid also very liked it - specially balloons and the flying machine.

What can I say, go and try. :)

FLAWLESS MASTERPIECE, what 3d animation was begging for, public gets it WRONG!!

[joiningjt · 10/10 · 11 February 2021]

This is absolutely the best 3d animated film we've ever seen. The producers, director, animators, lang lang( music), actors, writers, should all realize what a artistic work of genius that they have created. The creativity the birth of the 3d art form unfold before our very eyes....it was nothing short of an absolute HONOR to watch ...no wait. Experience!!! I absolutely STOLE this bluray by only purchasing it for 35.00 brand new on Amazon. I actually feel guilty for paying so little for receiving so MUCH. As of today this has only a 4.6 rating which is WAY beyond a travesty it's an absolute insult to not only the artists that created this masterpiece but an insult to us TRUE film coniseurs that see a work of art when we see one. This is a Rembrandt of 3d animation and the addition of the flawless piano absolutely took our breath away!!! BRAVO!!!!!!

goodish

[freitasowen · 10/10 · 17 February 2021]

This movie deserves more than a 4.7/10 I had a good time watching the first 17 minutes

Deserves a much higher rating.

[jimvandemoter-50236 · 10/10 · 4 December 2019]

What a wonderfully original piece of storytelling. I do have to say if anyone thinks of this as just a children's movie they're missing the point. This is a movie for all ages. Think of it as a piece of music that's presented in sections or "movements" like classical music. Something like this could never be made in America with the corporate mentality of American studios. This proof that good story telling is still possible in this world.