Kirikou and the Sorceress (1998) - Rotten Tomatoes

Kirikou and the Sorceress (1998)

TOMATOMETER

96%
100%

AUDIENCE SCORE

87%

Critic Consensus: Kirikou and the Sorceress is a beautifully uplifting throwback to a simpler animated era, with refreshingly unique art and a timeless soundtrack.

Kirikou and the Sorceress Photos

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Movie Info

This fanciful, animated feature from French artist and director Michel Ocelot is based on a popular folk tale from West Africa. Kirikou (voice of Theo Sebeko) informs his mother from the womb that it's time for him to be born, but when she's too slow, he simply does the work himself. After learning that his parents' village is being threatened by a sorceress with a taste for human flesh, Kirikou leaps into action to save the day, encountering friends and foes along the way, including a monster who can drain waterfalls and lakes with his enormous thirst and a wise man living on a magic mountain. Kirikou and the Sorceress also features an original score by acclaimed Senegalese musician Youssou N'Dour.

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Cast

Antoinette Kellermann
as Karaba
Fezele Mpeka
as Uncle
Maimouna N'Diaye
Awa Sène Sarr
Kombisile Sangweni
as Mother
Robert Liensol
Theo Sebeko
as Kirikou
Sebastien Hebrant
Mabuto Sithole
as The Old Man
Thilombo Lubambu
William Nadylam
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Critic Reviews for Kirikou and the Sorceress

All Critics (25) | Top Critics (9)

TAn enchanting, life-affirming animation of love and redemption, made with no small measure of maturity and care - along with an all too rare respect for the art of storytelling.

March 10, 2008 | Full Review…
Top Critic

A marvel for eye and ear.

March 10, 2008 | Full Review…
Top Critic

This charming animated feature is a welcome antidote to the relentless cutesiness inherent in so many child-oriented toons.

March 10, 2008
Top Critic

It's a great package: salutary, short (74 minutes) and sweet.

February 9, 2006 | Full Review…
Top Critic

Kirikou and the Sorceress's surprising honesty about the banality of evil makes the movie -- even with all its magic -- feel truly authentic.

June 4, 2004 | Full Review…
Top Critic

Should appeal to younger children and to adults who can appreciate its quiet pleasures.

April 19, 2002 | Rating: A
Top Critic
View All Critic Reviews (25)

Audience Reviews for Kirikou and the Sorceress

An enjoyable and simple animation with an honest moral lesson, though clearly made for very small children. It makes for a good time, especially in its second act, but the ending could have been better.

Carlos Magalhães
Carlos Magalhães

Super Reviewer

Pocket-sized Kirikou, top contender for hero-with-the-cutest-bum-in-the-world, sorts out his villagers woes and saves the day. The plot flows along like being read to from a much-loved storybook and there's lots of rich colours and pretty music by Youssou N'Dour. Fabfabfabfabfab...

Lesley N
Lesley N

Super Reviewer

½

Simple yet effective animation brings this African folk tale to life. There's little to it: Kirikou is born tiny but doesn't let that stop him as he sets out to stop the Sorceress. It's nicely written and certainly better than a lot of "churned out" Hollywood animation, yet it doesn't have that certain spark or sheen to give it the attention it deserves. Nonetheless, if you have the chance it's worth 75 minutes of your time.

Marcus Woolcott
Marcus Woolcott

Super Reviewer

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