Raven with the red sock – Der kleine Rabe Socke – Das große Rennen (2015)

Directed by: Sandor Jesse, Ute von Munchow-Pohl | 72 minutes | animation, family, adventure | Dutch voice cast: Juliann Ubbergen, Dennis Willekens, Maja van Honsté, Mitchell van den Dungen, Jürgen Theuns, Sander de Heer, Thijs van Aken, Dieter Spileers, Nathalie Haneveld, Lucie de Lange, Pieter van Nieuwenhuyze, Peggy Vrijens, Joost Claes, Martijn Claes, Huub Dikstaal, Thomas van Goethem, Jonathan Demoor, Nine Meijer, Rolf Koster, Tommie Christiaan

‘Raafje met de red sock’ (‘Der kleine Rabe Socke – Das große Rennen’, 2015) is a pleasant reunion with the inhabitants of the forest from ‘Raaf de kleine robber’ from 2012. The sweet bear Eddie, piggy Stompie, the frightened sheep Wollie, the rabbit Lalo, the somewhat bossy Mrs Das and her baby Billie and even the inventive beaver Francie, they all make an appearance in this second animation adventure from German soil. And of course not forgetting Raven himself, the cheeky black bird, with his characteristic white-red striped sock (which sometimes acts a bit like his conscience) on his leg. Just one, that’s a bit crazy, but it fits with his unruly character.

Just like in the first film, Raven’s recklessness causes problems. Was it his thoughtlessness in the first film to play pirate on the dam, so that it broke and the whole forest was flooded, in ‘Raafje met de red sock’ Raven is so absorbed in his game that he does not realizes that he is endangering all his friends. It is autumn and therefore a large stock has to be built up for the winter. All the animals in the forest are busy with that, but Raven has discovered that his homemade soap box can go really fast. He races through the forest, constantly setting new goals for himself. A little harder, even faster… And then things go wrong. The soapbox comes to a stop with a loud bang against the wooden storage shed. Mrs. Das is so shocked by this that she forbids him to race for a week as a punishment. Raven should learn what responsibility is. She sends him into the woods to collect nuts. But Raven wouldn’t be Raven if he didn’t know how to make a game out of it.

When Raven wants to clean up the nuts in the storehouse with Eddie, he wants to reward himself with some blueberries. But when taking the ladder, the whole barn collapses and the entire winter supply rolls down the hill, straight into the river. Raven and Eddie sit in sackcloth for a while, but then Raven discovers that a soapbox race is being held in the woods. With the top prize – one hundred gold coins – Raven can go to the store to buy food.

‘Raven with the red sock’ is a charming animated film. The wooded area is packed with beautiful details and the film is steeped in warm colors. The funny characters with their clear characteristics (anxious, bossy, insecure) are indeed taken from the usual molds, but for the target group that recognizability is pleasant. Doerakje Raafje immediately takes you to your heart. He is disobedient, headstrong and he jokes, but he has a heart of gold and when it comes down to it, he will walk through fire for his friends. For adults there is the occasional funny pun (“falling into a raven swoon,” the winter approaching) but in fact it is not necessary at all. The pace is nice and fast, because the race takes up a large part of the story. Themes of friendship, teamwork, daring to be yourself, not always being able to get your way and inventiveness are well worked out. Highly recommended for children from three to eight years old!