A beautiful animated film about the power of imagination: this is Nina and the secret of the hedgehog, to be watched from the age of 6

Recommended from 6 years

once – Nina likes to listen to bedtime stories told by her father, a hedgehog who discovers the world. One evening, his busy father doesn’t come to tell him about his new adventure… Fortunately, his best friend Mehdi is there to help him find a solution: what if the treasure hidden in the old factory could solve it. All their problems?

Then begins a great adventure where you have to escape from the elderly neighbor and his cat Fluffy, avoid the guard’s traps and trick his big dog… not to mention the little hedgehog who leads the investigation alongside them!

which they will fall in love with – Animals from animated films are very often loved by children. The list of the most beloved people would be very long, but in this feature film, the hedgehog should definitely join them. From his first appearance, taken from a sketch drawn by the heroine’s father, it doesn’t take long to fall under the spell of this character, which recalls Mickey Mouse from his beginnings.

This is certainly no coincidence, as directors Alain Ganol and Jean-Loup Felicioli have already proven their cinephileism with the superhero Phantom Boy in 2015. Voiced by Guillaume Bats, who passed away on June 1st, the hedgehog from their new opus will be easy. It appeals to both adults and children. Especially thanks to the silent and black-and-white cartoons in which he is looking for work.

Younger children will also enjoy the coming-of-age story of the heroine, Nina, elements of which speak to them differently depending on the age at which they see the film. But the treasure hunt he embarks on with his friend Mehdi, to save his parents’ financial situation, easily takes everyone away.

What could be bothering them? – Technically nothing. Or a sweetly strong dog who can impress a junior. But Nina and the Secret of the Hedgehog is recommended for ages 6 and up and deals with themes related to the world of teenagers. As well as unemployment, strikes or waste. Things that some may feel lost on. But don’t panic.

Because the feature film will give parents a great opportunity to explain what it is about. More easily than, for example, with TV news. Just as Nina’s father talks about the hedgehog looking for work in the stories he makes up, which are nothing but trivial. Tune in during the credits to hear the last word.

which they will hold deeply – A sense of thrilling adventure, the wonder of childhood and the sometimes harsh reality of the adult world. Evidence in this treasure hunt in an abandoned factory, where the danger is real, but the two young heroes can count on the help of an imaginary hedgehog.

Like Nina’s father, voiced by Guillaume Canet, the film takes on reality to transform it through the power of imagination. As naive as one might think. The result is still suitable for the whole family and may seem too childish to some. But many may recognize the voice of the heroine’s mother: the voice of Audrey Tautou, who returned to the cinema for the first time since the release of On the Loose! in October 2018.

A comedy by Pierre Salvador that reminds us a bit of Nina and the Secret of the Hedgehog. Because the film is a bit reminiscent of Miss Little Band, a live-action feature film that also tackled childhood and capitalism.