THE LEGEND OF OCHI – Review by T.J. Callahan
The Legend of Ochi: Curesed with a wickedness
A24 is testing the family film waters with The Legend of Ochi. Set on the island of Carpathia surrounded by the Black Sea, a young girl named Yuri is constantly reminded of the wrath of the dangerous creatures that live in the mountains high above her village.
The Ochi look like a cross between an ape and Gizmo from the Gremlins movie, emitting a high pitched yet melodic wail. They come out to feed at night. The town’s residents call them the devil for feasting on their livestock. Yuri’s father has put together a posse of young boys to hunt the creatures. When a baby Ochi is caught in a trap, Yuri vows to bring him back to his family safe and sound.
Yuri is played stubbornly rebellious yet compassionately head strong by Helena Zengel (News of the World). Emily Watson is Yuri’s wilderness embracing estranged mother. Willem Dafoe is the gruff, off the wall leader of the pack.
The Legend of Ochi is the first feature film from writer/director Isaiah Saxon. It was six years in the making. Saxon used no CGI, but matte paintings and puppetry to convey the old world tale that harkens back to E.T., Goonies and The Neverending Story. A muted Wes Anderson type take on strange people and fantastical beings in a remote land.
Rated PG, The Legend of Ochi is meant for the entire clan to enjoy together, but kids under 10 may be bored and/or scared. It’s not flashy or fast paced even though the film is only 96 minutes. Kid characters carry shotguns. The mother smokes. But there are lessons to be learned and hearts are warmed. The Legend of Ochi is a quirky flick that will win you over if you give it a chance. It’s a symphony of sights and sounds with an old fashioned story attached. Ricky gives The Legend of Ochi two 👀s open. It rates a six on the TeejFlixometer.
