Yes, it’s the man in the moon (Tribeca FIlm)

More than four decades after the 1966 publication of Moon Man, a children’s tale by author/illustrator Tomi Ungerer, Stephan Schesch brings this simple story to life through animation. Maintaining the simplicity of the moralistic tale, the film preserves the original feel of the text in its colors and through the depiction of the title character while sustaining a low energy, which works well for this satire. It was originally written during the space race, and here Ungerer pokes fun at this period in history, especially at the politicians involved.

Moon Man is bored and not aware of his importance to children—he comforts them by watching over them, and if he’s not up there in the sky, they are sleepless and restless. So he catches a ride to earth on the tail of a comet. At the same time, the self-absorbed President of the earth has just declared his domination of the world, but Moon Man’s entrance into the atmosphere is mistaken for an alien invasion. While everyone panics, the President declares that he would like to go to the moon and conquer it as well.

However, the idea isn’t actually his. The suggestion comes from a red-headed woman, a scheming seductress. Her hairdo will catch the interest of audiences—it’s the shape of a reclining woman, like one sees on a truck mud flap. It’s obvious that listening to her ideas will only lead to problems, but she is convincing and represents the power of a woman over a man, regardless of his rank. Throughout, the President takes credit for other people’s ideas as he searches for Moon Man and continues his venture to to the moon, though he understands very little about the lunar cycle. (Poking fun at authority is the author’s forte.)

Moon Man walks among the children at a Halloween party—everyone thinks is in a costume. Eventually he stumbles upon the home of the self-described “Inventor of Everything,” Doctor Bunsen van der Dunke. The doctor promises him to help him return home, but the scientist is also visited by the President, looking to hitch a ride to the moon. The space race is on, but will the President or the Moon Man get there first? To secure his goal, the President presents a cheap medal to the doctor for his outstanding work. However, the Moon Man offers something much more appealing to van der Dunke—friendship.

While the satire is entertaining and will be appreciated by older viewers, the moral lessons add most to the movie’s charm. Ungerer (who also narrates) delivers a lesson about trust and friendship and reminds us that there is no place like home. A favorite line occurs when the doctor looks right at the camera and states, “A man can work faster alone but together you get further.” In the end, the Moon Man reminds us all that we are all important and have something to contribute.

Children probably won’t have the sophistication to understand the satire that makes adults chuckle. Moon Man is a calming character, and the children in the story add to its emotional appeal. However, they don’t appear often, and kids looking for the adventure of Disney and Pixar won’t find it here, but they will understand the message about friendship and trust. Adults, though, may find themselves trying to explain a scene that takes place behind a room divider between the President and the red head.