The One and Only Ivan (2020)

The One and Only Ivan Poster

A gorilla named Ivan who’s living in a suburban shopping mall tries to piece together his past, with the help of other animals, as they hatch a plan to escape from captivity.

Introduction
"The One and Only Ivan" is a 2020 American dream movie directed by Thea Sharrock and based upon the children's novel of the very same name by K.A. Applegate. The movie, which stars an ensemble cast including Sam Rockwell, Angelina Jolie, Danny DeVito, Helen Mirren, and Bryan Cranston, premiered on Disney+ on August 21st, 2020. It informs the true story of a captive gorilla called Ivan who, with the help of his animal pals, discovers his past and ultimately discovers a new home.

Plot Summary
The movie is set at the Big Top Mall, where Mack (Bryan Cranston), the owner and ringmaster, runs a little circus program including different animals consisting of a gorilla named Ivan (voiced by Sam Rockwell), an elderly elephant called Stella (voiced by Angelina Jolie), a poodle called Snickers (voiced by Helen Mirren), a seal named Frankie, a baseball-playing chicken named Henrietta, and a stray dog named Bob (voiced by Danny DeVito).

Ivan is the piece de resistance of the circus and has actually been carrying out for several years as the "One and Only Ivan". Mack takes good care of him, however Ivan still yearns to be with his own kind and reside in freedom. Ivan's life changes when a baby elephant named Ruby (voiced by Brooklynn Prince) is given the circus. Stella, who is very old and weak, becomes too weak to carry out and informs Ivan that her one wish is for Ruby to have a much better life than residing in captivity.

Ivan assures Stella that he will help Ruby discover a better house. To attain this, he needs to return to his roots and find the life he led before captivity. With the help of his friends, especially Bob, Ivan starts to remember his previous life as a wild gorilla in Africa. He discovers his creative skills, which inspire him to develop a mural of his real home, the jungle.

Mack, wanting to enhance ticket sales, creates a brand-new act which includes Ivan painting in front of the audience. Ivan's paintings become incredibly popular, and people begin flocking to the circus to see the "artistic gorilla". While Mack believes this will conserve the circus, Ivan thinks his art is the essential to fulfilling his guarantee to Stella.

The turning point comes when Julia, the daughter of the circus janitor, George (Ramon Rodriguez), finds Ivan's mural of the jungle. She reveals it to her dad, who realizes that this is Ivan's true house. With the help of Julia and George, Ivan and his friends eventually manage to convey their desire for liberty and a better life.

Resolution and Conclusion
Moved by the predicament of the animals, Mack lastly accepts let Ivan, Ruby, and the other animals go to a wildlife sanctuary where they can live better lives. The animals bid farewell to their circus buddies and start a new journey to their brand-new house.

At the wildlife sanctuary, Ivan and Ruby prosper in their brand-new environment, surrounded by their own kind and living in a more natural environment. Although they miss their circus buddies and life at the Big Top Mall, they embrace this brand-new life and finally experience the liberty they had longed for throughout the movie.

"The One and Only Ivan" is a motivating and heartwarming tale of friendship, determination, and the pursuit of happiness for both humans and animals. The film sends out a strong message about the importance of compassion, understanding, and the requirement to recognize the feelings and desires of animals. With its outstanding cast, emotional storytelling and fantastic visuals, it is a movie that will leave an enduring influence on viewers of any ages.

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