UglyDolls Christian Movie Review

In this UglyDolls Christian Movie Review, I will give you a brief Synopsis, detail positive messages in this movie, tell you items that you may want to know as a parent, and give my recommendations for viewing, but if you would like to know how I arrive at a review, visit My Movie Review Guidelines for more information.

What Positive Messages does UglyDolls Convey?

Call It Hope or Faith…I just know in my heart, it’s the day I’ve waited forever. Have you ever felt like there was something you are supposed to be doing? There is such a positive message in this movie about holding onto what you believe even if you can’t see it. The main character believes in something beyond what she can see. And as a Christian, I know that faith is the substance of things hoped for; the evidence of things not seen.

Whether you are a child waiting to get adopted or an adult waiting to have a baby or any other dream you have waited for, this movie gives you hope for a future. I couldn’t help but notice the ties to my faith. And so it doesn’t surprise me that the mainstream critics hate it. Currently, this movie has a 36% Rotten Tomato rating, but a 79% audience rating. That should tell you something, folks.

I went into this movie thinking it would be a commercial for Ugly Dolls, and I was pleasantly surprised to find that not only did this movie have a few great messages, but was overall a clean movie. I went to see this movie with my 14-year-old autistic son who loves animated movies (and is on about 5-6 year old level), and my 16-year-old son who reluctantly went for the popcorn. He claimed he didn’t like it, but said it was better than some recent movies we have seen.

SYNOPSIS of UGLYDOLLS

Moxy is an adorable pink Uglydoll voiced by Kelly Clarkson. She wakes up happy each day and sings a catchy upbeat song because today could be the day that she gets placed with a child. It doesn’t matter that nobody in Uglyville has actually left, and they only have new dolls coming in, Moxy doesn’t give up her dream.

One day she convinces her friends to go where the new dolls come from to see what’s beyond the arrival tube. They encounter an assembly line of dolls on their way to the Institute of Perfection. This is the place the perfect dolls will study. If they can pass the Ultimate Test they can go to homes with children.

THE GOOD

Great movie, great message, and an ability to tie a Christian message into this movie for your children.

Moxy is upbeat every day in spite of her surroundings. She can teach about how to find joy in every day. And really the song she sings in the morning “Couldn’t Be Better” is a great way to start each and every day. There is a line in the song “call it hope or faith” that really resonated with me.

The obvious message in this movie is not to let anyone tell you who you are. With the “mean girls” in the movie who are perfect, it is easy to just see this as a movie about loving yourself, and that our differences make us beautiful. However, there is a deeper message of holding onto your dreams that makes this movie so incredibly special.

Other Positive Messages in UglyDolls:

There is power in our words, and there is power in the words spoken over us. In the movie, there is a scene where Uglyville becomes dark and depressing. This happens because the UglyDolls begin to believe what others have spoken over them.

Proverbs 11:9 With their mouths the godless destroy their neighbors but through knowledge the righteous escape.

Proverbs 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.

The Current Viewpoints We Hold About “Imperfect People” or Anyone Who is Different

I once encountered a man who publicly said he was open to debate anything. He said it would be a civil debate, and he loved to discuss money, religion, politics. We talked and debated privately. However, the words that came out of his mouth proved he was not open to debate. He called an entire region of the country ignorant because their viewpoint didn’t line up with his. He believed he had arrived and was all knowing.

The problem with viewing a group, whether it be race, religion, or political views, in this manner, is that you see them as lesser. And that is how they will stay. Unless you see people as worthy, whole and what they have the potential to accomplish, you will always speak words of death over them.

The problem with this is that it is polarizing, and many times people begin to believe what others say about them. In this movie, the people of Uglyville began to believe the words of unworthiness spoken over them by people that deemed themselves as perfect and beautiful.

SPOILER:

The Evidence of Things Not Seen:

Eventually, Moxy goes to her forever home, and we as Christians know that our forever home is heaven. Point out the parallels to your children about how Moxy without ever seeing her ultimate destination knew and believed, just as we know and believe in what we cannot see.

WHAT PARENTS MAY WANT TO KNOW ABOUT UGLYDOLLS

When Moxy goes in search of knowledge she encounters fortune cookies, reading tea leaves, luck and believing in yourself.

Ugly Dog hits on a pretty doll and is rejected.

There is a scene where the UglyDolls go searching and fall down a dark hole. Additionally, the dolls are thrown into a hole with an incinerator. This machine looks like a monster with sharp teeth. There is a scene where the dolls are running a test (similar to what can be found in Monsters University where they encounter potential destruction). Another potential scary situation involves dolls being put in a sack and kidnapped.

Language: Words such as butt, Oh My Doll, and language spoken to the UglyDolls such as “You are Ugly.”

There is a very brief scene with the Coppertone baby ad with her underwear being pulled down by a dog. However, the girl has a different face than the original ad.

Recommendation for Viewing UglyDolls

The upbeat music, bright colors, and a great message make for a fantastic kids movie. The critics who have years of watching trash have decided that anything cute isn’t worth seeing. I firmly believe in voting with your pocketbook. Show Hollywood that we love family entertainment, and see this movie in the theaters. This movie is suitable for ages 4 and up.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The film contains original music from Kelly Clarkson, Nick Jonas, Blake Shelton, Janelle Monáe, Bebe Rexha, Pentatonix, Anita, and Why Don’t We.