‘Bambi: The Reckoning’ Review: This Little Deer Is Out For Blood
We all know the story of Bambi, the sweet and adorable fawn who grows up in the forest “alone” after he loses his mother to hunters. Known as one of the saddest Disney films, this has often been referenced as a teaching tool about mankind’s power over land and all its surroundings. Thus is the introduction to Bambi: The Reckoning, which opens with a brief cartoon narrative indicating that people are considered the most dangerous threat to all wildlife residing in the deep woodlands of the earth.
But how do the offspring cope with such a tremendous loss after being shielded from the heinous actions of the unknown? Through anger and revenge, of course. It’s time for the forest to fight back.
Not long after we learn of a deer family that has lost its matriarch to neglectful humans, we witness a group of self-centered hillbilly hunters discussing their conquests as they explore the terrain for prey. Immediately, I wondered (given their lack of regret or humility) if THEY would be perceived as the vicious culprits over a Cujo-riddled deer. Picture Bambi contracting a mutant strain of rabies. It’s wild!
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Cut to Xana (Roxanne McKee) and her son, Benji (Tom Mulheron), are ready to trek out to a family reunion in the wooded area where the now monstrous Bambi resides, ready to pounce. It’s safe to say that the minivan ride with a highly distracted driver will end in blood-soaked tragedy, so of course, I was giddy with anticipation.
As the scramble of chaos commences, the gathered family members have just enough time for prologues before the unwanted visitor comes crashing through their secured homestead, attacking them at random. The ferocity is unimaginable, as we feel their fear throughout Bambi’s persistent rampage. During the escape, we encounter various obstacles separating the survivors, in addition to newcomers from the favorable fairytale, such as Thumper. However, something is just not right with this once adorable critter, and suddenly, I was thrown into a Monty Python-esque scene of killer rabbit havoc. It was unique and clever, plus it made me chuckle, even though I’m sure that was unintentional.
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Bambi’s appearance is startling to say the least. With a gigantic frame, antlers of tremendous strength, and at least two sets of the sharpest teeth I’ve ever seen, the fright is instantly palpable. This is NOT the cute and cuddly doe I remember from my childhood. CGI or whatever new Frankenstein’d technology used to invent this mammoth beast should be rewarded because this Bambi is nightmarishly nasty.
Director Dan Allen set up this terrifying tale with pure magic and success, beginning with an incredible cast of talent! From McKee and Mulheron to Nicola Wright (who plays Benji’s grandma Mary, who seems to be unconsciously connected to Bambi), it’s a bevy of incredible performances that all develop immense emotional sensations from terror to tears. And do not overlook the craziest kill scene performed by the sensational Russell Geoffrey Banks as brother-in-law, Andrew. The temper tantrum before his mangled demise alone is worth the cost of admission to Bambi: The Reckoning.
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Bambi: The Reckoning
Summary
Bambi: The Reckoning is a shockingly thrilling ride, complete with gnarly kills and stellar cast.
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