Niko - A reindeer takes off

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Movie
German title Niko - A reindeer takes off
Original title Niko - Lentäjän poika
Country of production Finland , Germany , Denmark , Ireland
original language English , Finnish
Publishing year 2008
length 79 minutes
Age rating FSK 0
JMK 0
Rod
Director Michael Hegner ,
Kari Juusonen
script Hannu Tuomainen ,
Marteinn Thorisson
production Petteri Pasanen ,
Hannu Tuomainen
music Stephen McKeon
cut Per Risager
synchronization
chronology

Successor  →
Niko 2 - Little reindeer, big hero

Niko - A reindeer takes off is a Christmas animation film that was made as a German - Finnish co-production from 2002 to 2008 . On November 5th, 2009, the family adventure about friendship, family and Christmas magic hit German cinemas. The sequel is a 3D film with the title Niko 2 - Small Reindeer, Big Hero , it opened in German cinemas on November 1, 2012.

action

The little reindeer Niko is not like the other animals in the herd. Because his father is one of the legendary flying reindeer that pulls Santa's sleigh. For as long as Niko can remember, he has therefore dreamed of meeting his great hero. And he dreams of learning to fly himself - because this magical talent is said to be passed on from father to son. Spurred on by the kind-hearted and clumsy flying squirrel Julius, the eager Niko undertakes one flight attempt after the other. However, they all end in crash landings. No wonder the other animals smile at and ridicule Niko. When one day Niko accidentally leads a pack of wild wolves into the valley where his herd has been living unnoticed by enemies for years, it almost comes to a catastrophe. It is only through great luck that all reindeer get away with their lives in the attack of the wolves. But now Niko is finally convinced that there is no place for him in this herd. Together with Julius, he sets out to find Santa's secret land.

In the meantime, the pack of wolves is seeking revenge - and pushing bad steam! Just as one of the wolves seriously suggests switching to a vegetarian diet, a cute, pink poodle lady suddenly appears in front of them. She was on a skiing holiday with her master and mistress nearby and got lost on the way back from the slopes. The vicious black wolf who leads the pack promptly takes the bitch hostage. The poodle is said to accompany her as a lucky charm on her new crusade. The predators' diabolical plan: They want to invade Santa's land. There they want to eat the flying reindeer first and then eat Santa Claus himself. That would be a nice mess!

Meanwhile, on their journey north, Niko and Julius meet the perky and crazy weasel girl Wilma, who wanders the area alone and dreams of a career as a singer. But then they meet the wolves again. When Niko learns of their devious plan, he is in a double hurry to find Santa Claus and to warn him of the impending danger. Thank God Wilma knows the way. An exciting and ludicrous race full of crazy incidents and dramatic events begins between Niko, Julius and Wilma as well as the vicious wolves.

The three heroes manage to reach the magical land by a narrow margin. But when Niko stands in front of the flying reindeer, the disappointment is great. Not only that the famous sledge pullers are a vain and conceited bunch - they don't believe Niko and his friends a word of the impending danger. And then Niko can't even find out which of the reindeer his father is. Yes: on their flights through the world they met many a reindeer lady, but nobody can remember Nikos Mama Oona. Was it possible that his mother lied to Niko?

Then suddenly the wolves invade Santa's land. And how do the heroic reindeer react? They shiver, shiver and hide! It quickly becomes clear who the real heroes are: Niko, Julius and Wilma face the fierce predators with courage to death. But what can three small animals do against a whole pack of beasts? It seems to be a hopeless fight - until a miracle suddenly happens at the last second ...

Behind the scenes

Niko - A Reindeer Takes Off started at the Anima Vitae studio in Helsinki , Finland. Before Niko , the animation studio founded in 2000 was exclusively engaged in commissioned work for commercials as well as television series and films. In 2003, however, Anima Vitae decided to produce its own animated feature film. There was no shortage of doubters about this plan, after all an animated film had never been produced in Finland before.

The know-how for high quality 3D animation has existed in Europe for a long time. But producing an entire feature film using this technology is still a major challenge. European studios are relatively small and cooperation with other studios requires good organization and impeccable communication. At Niko there was a lively cooperation of many different partners so that the end product would have a quality that can compete with the films of the major Hollywood studios.

synchronization

The German dubbing was carried out by Interopa Film , Berlin. Matthias von Stegmann was responsible for the dialogue direction .

role Original speaker German speaker
Niko Andrew McMahon Pete Stefanov
Julius Norm MacDonald Olaf Reichmann
Wilma Emma Roberts Barbara Schöneberger
Oona Susan Slott Sabine Arnhold
Black Wolf Alan Stanford Ingo Albrecht
Specs Paul Tylack Rainer Fritzsche
Smiley face Gavin Morgan Thomas Nero Wolff
It she Susan Zelouf Irina von Bentheim
Dasher Morgan Jones (XIV) Detlef Bierstedt
grandfather Patrick Fitzsymons Peter Groeger
Prancer Paul Tylack Dennis Schmidt-Foss
Reindeer leader Gary Hetzler Tilo Schmitz
saga Carly Baker Katharina Ritter

Awards

22nd Cinekid Festival 2008

  • Cinekid Lion Award from the jury
  • Audience Award for Best Film

Jussi 2008

European Film Award 2009

  • Nomination in the European Film Academy category for animation film

German film and media rating

  • "Predicate valuable" seal

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Age rating for Niko - A reindeer takes off . Youth Media Commission .
  2. ↑ Niko - A reindeer takes off. In: synchronkartei.de. German synchronous index , accessed on October 31, 2013 .