Review: ‘Smallfoot’ Not Anti-Religion but Anti-Groupthink

Last updated on: September 29, 2018 at 8:28 pm by DeWayne Hamby

Review: ‘Smallfoot’ Not Anti-Religion but Anti-Groupthink 2018-09-29T20:28:34-04:00 DeWayne Hamby

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

I was not one of the first to see Smallfoot. I missed a few preview screenings, although I was able to chat with director Karey Kirkpatrick. After our interview, I made plans to take my family on opening night, especially because my elementary-age girls love animated films and I’d already heard Zendaya’s beautiful “Wonderful Life,” which almost sounds evangelistic: “There’s more to life than meets the eye . . . It’s all much bigger than we know . . .It’s only just beginning to unfold.”

The Stonekeeper and Migo. Smallfoot image courtesy of Warner Brothers.

Before we hit the theater, however, I read a few takes on the story that wondered if the film, which featured a Yeti arguing for the existence of the mythical smallfoot, had a not-so-subtle message against religion. There was, after all, the Stonekeeper, a village elder who wears restrictive stone tablets as a coat, and a planned way of life to keep villagers from questioning these decrees. Although I hesitated for a moment, I went ahead and took the girls after reading a few trusted voices that did not see the anti-religion message. I’m also less inclined to be worried about media messages considering my toddler viewed the Yo Gabba Gabba episode on ‘Sharing’ probably around 10,000 times and was no more inclined to generosity with toys than if she hadn’t watched any.

The Stonekeeper, voiced by Common. Smallfoot image courtesy of Warner Brothers.

Smallfoot was, in fact, delightful. Very clever writing, memorable, sing-able songs, and my girls, sandwiched in seats between my wife and I, hee-haw laughed and spoke back to the screen several times. They quickly picked up on the themes of honesty, being true to friends, and standing up for what you believe in. Does that mean Migo the yeti, who finds himself at odds with what the rocks say is true, subtly delivered a message at odds with the legacy of faith we’re trying to instill in them?

For me, I didn’t see Smallfoot as anti-religion as much as it is anti-groupthink. It is finding the truth and not being afraid to tell it, no matter the consequences. Heroes of the faith did that and believers around the world still do, bucking the established norms and accepted philosophies of their societies, some of them even religious in nature. True Christianity, however, is not restrictive and fragile. It is explosive and freedom in its purest form: “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32).

There could be additional deliberate messages to viewers of various ages in the film, as Kirkpatrick admitted, but what I’ll highlight with my girls is the boldness to speak solid, timeless truth to power. Our faith isn’t contained on stones, but it existed before time began: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1). It also will never “pass away” (Matthew 24:25).

No doubt the girls will one day be confronted with established norms, whether from authority figures, teachers or peers, but I hope they find the courage, as Migo did, to be unwavering in the faith they know to be true.

Smallfoot, releasing from Warner Brothers, stars Channing Tatum as the yeti, Migo, and James Corden as the smallfoot, Percy. Also starring are Zendaya, Common, LeBron James, Danny DeVito, Gina Rodriguez, Yara Shahidi, Ely Henry, and Jimmy Tatro. It was directed by Karey Kirkpatrick, Annie Award-winning director of “Over the Hedge” and Annie nominee for the screenplays for “Chicken Run” and “James and the Giant Peach.” The screenplay was written by Kirkpatrick and Clare Sera, screen story by John Requa, Glenn Ficarra and Kirkpatrick, based on the book Yeti Tracks, by Sergio Pablos.

Listen to Zendaya’s “Wonderful Life” here:

Previous Post

September 29, 2018

REVIEW: 'The Children Act' Wrestles with Religious Convictions

Next Post

October 2, 2018 NBC's Top New Show 'Manifest' and its Romans 8:28 Mystery

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Comics Movies Music Plays and Musicals Podcasts Television Uncategorized

Select a Month October 2026 September 2026 August 2026 July 2026 June 2026 May 2026 April 2026 March 2026 February 2026 January 2026 December 2025 November 2025 October 2025 September 2025 August 2025 July 2025 June 2025 May 2025 April 2025 March 2025 February 2025 January 2025 December 2024 November 2024 October 2024 September 2024 August 2024 July 2024 June 2024 May 2024 April 2024 March 2024 February 2024 January 2024 December 2023 November 2023 October 2023 September 2023 August 2023 July 2023 June 2023 May 2023 April 2023 March 2023 February 2023 January 2023 December 2022 November 2022 October 2022 September 2022 August 2022 July 2022 June 2022 May 2022 April 2022 March 2022 February 2022 January 2022 December 2021 November 2021 October 2021 September 2021 August 2021 July 2021 June 2021 May 2021 April 2021 March 2021 February 2021 January 2021 December 2020 November 2020 October 2020 September 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 September 2015 July 2015 March 2015 November 2014 September 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 May 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 February 2012 December 2011 November 2011 August 2011 July 2011 March 2011 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 December 2008 November 2008 October 2008 September 2008 August 2008 July 2008 June 2008 May 2008 April 2008 March 2008 February 2008 April 2006 February 2006 December 2005 October 2005 September 2005 July 2005 June 2005 May 2005 April 2005 February 2005

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What mountain did Jesus ascend from into heaven?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Mount of Olives Mount Zion Mount Carmel Mount Sinai