Fluttering Adventures: A Tale of Courage and Friendship

“Is that a butterfly fairy?” my seven-year-old niece asked, her eyes wide with curiosity as she pointed at the screen. We were watching a new Canadian animated movie, and she was pointing at a purple creature with a human-like face and body, dressed in a hoodie, with wings sticking out from its back. “Nope,” I said, smiling. “That’s actually supposed to be a monarch butterfly.”

The film’s creators have certainly put a unique twist on the monarch butterflies, making them look almost human. It might seem a bit strange, but if you can get past the odd appearance, it’s actually a sweet little cartoon, perfect for kids under eight.

Meet Patrick: The Monarch with a Dream

The story centers around Patrick, a teenage monarch butterfly who has a bit of a problem—one of his wings didn’t develop properly, so he can’t fly. Patrick’s dad was a big hero in their butterfly community. He once fought off a terrifying eagle by pecking out its eye, though he paid dearly for it.

But because of his bad wing, Patrick’s mom doesn’t want him to join the other butterflies on their big migration to Mexico this year. She’s really overprotective and worries a lot about him. (The film kind of skips over the fact that monarchs only make this epic journey once in their lives, but let’s not get too technical.)

Stowaway Adventures

Patrick, being the determined teen he is, doesn’t take no for an answer. He sneaks into the emergency food supply with his chunky caterpillar friend, hoping to make the trip south in secret.

Of course, their plan doesn’t last long, and they get found out pretty quickly. From there, it’s one adventure after another—first they have to deal with a tornado, then they come face-to-face with that scary one-eyed eagle.

Lessons and Laughs

The movie isn’t packed with high-stakes drama, but it does have some nice, simple messages about being yourself and facing your fears. It’s light and easy to watch, though it might not leave a lasting impression.

One fun fact we discovered while watching was that a group of butterflies is called a “flutter.” That little nugget of information brought a lot of joy to our viewing experience.

So, if you’re looking for a harmless and charming film for young kids, this butterfly adventure is worth a look. It might not become a household favorite, but it’s sweet enough to enjoy on a cozy afternoon.