A Tooth Fairy Tale Film Analysis: Animated Journey with a Sprinkling of Kid-Appropriate Preteen Love Story
Throughout this animated journey for preteens, the world of fairies is dedicated to collecting teeth from slumbering youngsters and leaving gold under their pillows. Board-riding youthful nonconformist fairy Van (voiced by Booboo Stewart) is less than thrilled about devoting his life to collecting baby teeth—a feeling that’s entirely reasonable. He’s only slightly more interested in the financial workings of the situation: the fairies deliver the teeth to mysterious goblins, who supply gold as payment. But Van’s curiosity is piqued when he spots a goblin (played by Larkin Bell), who proves to be far from the ugly gnome he expected.
A Forbidden Connection and Shared Threat
Everything is prepared for an adventure with a gentle touch of young love (even though it remains perfectly appropriate for younger kids). The fairy and goblin groups are separated from each other, and nothing fuels the excitement of secrecy to bring people as one. The two species portrayed in the film are remarkably alike, yet both maintain prejudiced beliefs about the opposite side. The fairies are supposed to be self-centered types, given to taking whatever they fancy, while goblins are reportedly stupid, foul-smelling, and primitive, but are in fact intelligent and advanced in technology.
Naturally, such a setup requires a shared foe to unite against, and this is duly provided in the form of some nasty spiders, voiced by Jon Lovitz and Fran Drescher. They make no secret with these guys: they want to eat the goblins and fairies, and they serve as fairly bloodthirsty, though not especially competent, villains.
Target Audience and Final Thoughts
You won’t find very many animated films aimed at the viewer group that is beginning to have early romances, but aren’t yet mature enough for whatever 14-year-olds are watching instead of Twilight. If your child is in the right age bracket, this is unlikely to become their new all-time fave, but it’s a decent choice.
A Tooth Fairy Tale releases in movie theaters in Scotland starting October 10 and the rest of the UK from 24 October.
