A Tooth Fairy Tale Film Analysis: Cartoon Journey with a Sprinkling of Kid-Appropriate Preteen Romance

In this cartoon journey for preteens, the world of fairies focuses on gathering teeth from sleeping youngsters and placing treasure under their pillows. Board-riding youthful nonconformist fairy Van (brought to life by Booboo Stewart) shows little enthusiasm about devoting his life to gathering baby teeth—a sentiment that’s completely understandable. He is just a bit more curious about the underlying economics of the situation: the fairies hand over the molars to unseen goblins, who provide metal as payment. But Van’s curiosity is piqued when he catches sight of a goblin (voiced by Larkin Bell), who turns out to be far from the ugly gnome he had imagined.

A Forbidden Connection and Common Enemy

The stage is set for an adventure with a gentle touch of teen romance (though it’s very much suitable for children). The fairy and goblin groups are separated from each other, and there’s nothing like the excitement of secrecy to unite beings as one. Both groups as seen here are remarkably alike, yet both maintain prejudiced beliefs about the opposite side. Fairies are said to be self-centered types, given to stealing whatever they fancy, while goblins are allegedly stupid, smelly, and primitive, but are actually intelligent and technologically advanced.

Naturally, such a setup needs a common enemy to unite against, and this is duly provided by some nasty spiders, with voices by Jon Lovitz and Fran Drescher. They make no secret about their intentions: they want to eat the fairies and goblins, and they serve as fairly bloodthirsty, if not especially competent, villains.

Ideal Viewers and Final Thoughts

There aren’t very many animated films aimed at the viewer group that is starting to experience early romances, but aren’t yet mature enough for whatever 14-year-olds are watching instead of popular teen sagas. Should your youngster is in the right age bracket, this is unlikely to become their new all-time fave, but you could do worse.

The Tooth Fairy Story releases in movie theaters in Scotland from 10 October and across the United Kingdom beginning October 24.