The One and Only Ivan

Name: The One and Only Ivan
Genre: Adventure, Drama, Fantasy, Comedy, Animation
Released: August 21, 2020
Duration: 95 min
Rating: 58
Cast: Angelina Jolie, Ariana Greenblatt, Brooklynn Prince, Bryan Cranston, Chaka Khan

2020

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 25 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 35 Ratings

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7.3

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7.3	Your Score
7.3	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 35 Ratings

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Movie Details & Credits

Disney+ | Release Date (Streaming): August 21, 2020 | PG

Starring: Angelina Jolie, Ariana Greenblatt, Brooklynn Prince, Bryan Cranston, Chaka Khan, Danny DeVito, Eleanor Matsuura, Helen Mirren, Mike White, Phillipa Soo, Ramón Rodríguez, Ron Funches, Sam Rockwell

Summary: Ivan is a 400-pound silverback gorilla who shares a communal habitat in a suburban shopping mall with Stella the elephant, Bob the dog, and various other animals. He has few memories of the jungle where he was captured, but when a baby elephant named Ruby arrives, it touches something deep within him. Ruby is recently separated from herIvan is a 400-pound silverback gorilla who shares a communal habitat in a suburban shopping mall with Stella the elephant, Bob the dog, and various other animals. He has few memories of the jungle where he was captured, but when a baby elephant named Ruby arrives, it touches something deep within him. Ruby is recently separated from her family in the wild, which causes him to question his life, where he comes from and where he ultimately wants to be.… Expand

Director: Thea Sharrock

Genre(s): Adventure, Drama, Fantasy, Comedy, Animation, Family

Rating: PG

Runtime: 95 min

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Critic Reviews

Richard Roeper

Aug 20, 2020

There are times the family-friendly slapstick comedy and heavy messaging about the heartbreak of animals in tight, dark, cold captivity don’t exactly mesh. But the visuals are truly impressive and the story has an uplifting arc, and oh do these actors have fun hamming it up. Read full review

Maureen Lee Lenker

Aug 18, 2020

Watching Ivan discover his love of art is intoxicating, too, particularly when his realization that he can use it to communicate results in a truly breathtaking tableau. The film’s genuine bursts of emotion, combined with the wry warmth of the vocal performances and the deftly realistic rendering of the CGI animals, give the project a silverback gorilla-sized heaping of heart. Read full review

Katie Walsh

Aug 20, 2020

Sharrock’s directing is unshowy, focused on the characters and performance moments that make this film a simple, yet effectively moving story about dreaming of a life beyond the walls, something we can all appreciate at this particular moment. Read full review

Ben Kenigsberg

Aug 20, 2020

Mostly The One and Only Ivan consists of fairly standard Disney lessons, about the hardships of losing parents (real and surrogate) and how difficult it is to embrace change. Read full review

Oliver Jones

Aug 21, 2020

It’s also the kind of storyline that gives quite a bit of cover to the film’s lesser attributes—namely its general small-mindedness and squishy moral logic. Read full review

Screen Rant Molly Freeman

Aug 18, 2020

The One and Only Ivan has a good heart at the center of this mediocre animal tale, which never quite delivers on the requisite Disney magic. Read full review

G. Allen Johnson

Aug 19, 2020

The One and Only Ivan has within it a much more interesting film waiting to break out that really could have been for the whole family, but alas it is trapped within the cement walls of Disney’s cookie-cutter formula. Read full review

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User Reviews

Boteg

Aug 23, 2020

This is a touching and kind story that we lacked to see. I'd say this is one of the samples of good old Disney I missed for so long.

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

jebh

Sep 5, 2020

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I rarely pay attention to reviews by "paid critics" as they have forgotten what movies are for. In their eagerness to put something on paper, look for the moral of the story (does it need one?), or wonder why the company is doing something for the 100th time, they forget the reason it was made. So simple really, for 90ish minutes, I got a chance to feel light hearted. A little happiness to put a smile on my face. Now, real life is back along with all the horrible news which is 24/7. This movie isn't the greatest or the worst, but it did exactly what is was supposed to do. It entertained me, and isn't that what movies are for? You know, if it isn't broken, it doesn't need to be fixed.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

movieman08

Sep 6, 2020

The CGI was amazing in this movie! Great family watch, we enjoyed the story very much.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

Happyspelling

Aug 21, 2020

How dare this movie get average reviews! This movie is so good! It's my favorite live action Disney movie! Please watch it and give it good reviews!

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

eli_fjr

Aug 25, 2020

Short, touching, super sweet. The CGI is top notch. Glad this debuted on Disney+ for me and mine to enjoy. Ivan!

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

bfoore90

Nov 14, 2020

Disney Plus has few notable original exclusives to its catalog other than the Mandalorian and this is one of their newer exclusives for their streaming service. The One and Only Ivan has a good story to it, Sam Rockwell is good as always here and you really care about these animals and youDisney Plus has few notable original exclusives to its catalog other than the Mandalorian and this is one of their newer exclusives for their streaming service. The One and Only Ivan has a good story to it, Sam Rockwell is good as always here and you really care about these animals and you want to see them be free.

In most movies like this, the capitor or zoo keeper is portrayed as an evil, money hungry man whose cruel to his animals but this film is clever in creating a sympathetic and likable keeper which adds more interest to the story. Its also worth noting, Brian Cranston is wonderful as Mack the owner and promoter of the show. Most of the film struggles due it rushes aspects of the film and doesn't go as far as it could go in terms of character development or storyline. Overall, I liked this movie. Its a good film for Disney Plus and a good film for families… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

Voodoo123

Nov 1, 2022

Slow paced family friendly visual effects heavy drama told from the perspective of a pack of circus performing animals as they seek freedom to return to the wild. The effects are superb but the screenplay and casting are average at best. The stakes are low and there is never really anySlow paced family friendly visual effects heavy drama told from the perspective of a pack of circus performing animals as they seek freedom to return to the wild. The effects are superb but the screenplay and casting are average at best. The stakes are low and there is never really any tension to show the kind of psychological trauma animals in captivity experience. Instead this is downplayed showing a very child friendly version with a feel good hollywood happy ending. I couldn't help but wish for a more impactful and dramatic version of this movie.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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