For Sammy’s Adventures: The Secret Passage, you either love it or hate it. While some will drool over cool 3D visual effects, others might think it as trying too hard to impress. If you’re new to the 3D world, no doubt you will be ogling at the screen, but then it’s not too bad a thing either.
The first thing that captured my attention was the vibrant colours of the sea’s floor bed. From the moving corals to the fishes, everything was done very life-like. It was almost like you’re part of the vast ocean. The effects are defined, and you will not be disappointed for the extra amount of money you forked out for a pair of 3D glasses.
Directed by Ben Stassen (Fly Me To The Moon), Sammy’s Adventures: The Secret Passage (previously known as Around the World in 50 Years) is about the life story of Sammy, a green-back turtle. As he scrambles to the sea shortly after his birth, he meets and then loses the love of his life – a hatchling called Shelly. Sammy’s Adventures: The Secret Passage is an epic journey across the ocean, where every turtle will find themselves returning to the beach where they were born. Together with his buddy, Ray, Sammy dodges every danger in hopes of finding Shelly again.
The movie is most suitable for kids below the age of 12, given the plot and the theme that revolves around it. Unless you’re still young at hear, this premise will not disappoint you even in the slightest bit. The one-and-a-half hour viewing experience will some, if not all those Pixar animation lovers in a hair-pulling mode, especially those who are so used to cheesy lines and slapstick comedy that e Pixar are known for.
However, the plot seems under-developed.
As the title suggests (The Secret Passage), the plot spends too much time on Sammy’s narration on his life story and the visual effects that comes along with it. The real adventure on the secret passage doesn’t start until the very last 20 minutes. I couldn’t help but wonder where was this exciting secret passage, and where will it lead to?
But once the secret passage is revealed, it got me thinking – “Is that it?”
Sammy’s Adventures: The Secret Passage is, was a good attempt in educating people about environmental issues like illegal whaling, oil spills, ocean littering and conservation. If the plot doesn’t impress you, look out for the breath-taking underwater scenes, and the awesome soundtrack that accompanies the movie.