It’s easy to dream, but achieving those dreams requires real work. I really appreciate films from Europe, especially because they continue to use 2D animation techniques. That doesn't mean they can’t also do impressive 3D work; 'The Little Prince' is a great example of high-quality 3D animation outside of Hollywood, matching the standards set by Disney and Pixar in terms of both technical skill and storytelling. However, producing these films tends to be expensive, so studios often prefer making them in English for broader international appeal, with North America as a key consideration. This is a French-English language film that was co-produced in Canada. It’s a pleasant movie, clearly aimed at young children, particularly girls, to inspire their own aspirations of becoming ballerinas. The characters and scenes are charming, but the story feels familiar. It shares similarities with 'August Rush,' aside from the subject matter. I'm not an expert on ballet, and some of the dance sequences felt off to me; perhaps my adult perspective and awareness that animation doesn’t need to adhere to scientific principles influenced my reaction. It served as a reminder of how grown up I am, even though this film is best experienced through the eyes of a child regardless of your age. Still, nothing prevented me from enjoying it. The story unfolds in 19th-century France during the era when the Eiffel Tower and Statue of Liberty were under construction. Felicie, a young orphan girl, runs away from her orphanage with another boy to pursue her dream of becoming a ballerina. They arrive in Paris and quickly go their separate ways to achieve their goals. Her journey isn't easy. She seizes opportunities that come her way, even when she knows they are wrong. > ❝You have something that she can only dream of: passion!❞ From there, the film explores how far she will go to realize her ambition, including the dedication required to meet the expectations of her trainer, rivals, and others. It aims to demonstrate that true interest isn't just about enthusiasm but also a willingness to sacrifice anything for your goals. Her progression from nothing to the brink of something new that could define her life is told in a film running just under 90 minutes. This isn’t another 'Billy Elliot.' Animation often leans towards comedy, fantasy, and musicals, but recently adventure and science fiction stories have become more popular. I can't recall ever having seen an animated dance movie before—not classical ballet, and certainly not in a modern 3D format. The closest example would be ‘Happy Feet,’ which came out about ten years ago. That makes this film quite unique and worth seeing for animation fans. However, the plot is predictable, and several scenes feel deliberately drawn-out to embrace clichés because they work, especially when targeting a younger audience who haven’t seen many movies. Only adults tend to complain. The use of well-known American actors for voiceovers helped boost the film's appeal. The character combinations are good, bringing variety and occasionally diverting from the main theme. For example, the boy’s interest in inventing things added twists and turns to the narrative. It might not be considered a great animation if it came from Hollywood, but given its French origin and focus on ballet, the effort deserves recognition. Overall, it's a much better film than the average reviews and ratings online suggest. It's a ballet film, meaning those who are meant to enjoy it shouldn’t miss it; in other words, generally worth watching, though not for everyone. _7/10_

Source on TMDB