Fly Me to the Moon

Fly Me to the Moon is a charming 2007 animated film that effortlessly combines education with entertainment to deliver an engaging story targeted primarily at children, but with certain elements that would attract viewers of all ages. The movie revolves around the grand journey undertaken by three young flies who aspire to do something greater than their mundane fly lives – something as audacious as traveling to the moon.

The film stars the voices of Trevor Gagnon, Philip Bolden, and David Gore. These three talented individuals infuse the characters of Nat, I.Q., and Scooter with distinct personalities, making the viewer truly empathize and cheer for these little creatures' quest.

The protagonist, Nat, is a young, adventurous housefly, who is voiced by Trevor Gagnon. Bored of his usual routine, Nat dreams of excitement and adventure. Narrated captivatingly throughout the movie by his grandfather voiced by Christopher Lloyd, who had supposedly been part of a flying escapade himself, Nat is enthralled by the idea of flying to the moon.

The intelligent I.Q., voiced by Philip Bolden, is Nat's best friend and a whizzes in inventions. Despite his intellectual prowess, he is seen as a scaredy-cat but he won't let his fears stop him from supporting his friends on their groundbreaking lunar excursion.

The third companion on this adventure is Scooter, a hilariously endearing character voiced by David Gore. Scooter represents the stereotypical comic relief character in animations, yet there are times where his craziness becomes a guise for ingenuity.

The exciting backdrop of the story is that the flies' expedition coincidentally aligns with the historic Apollo 11 mission. This occasion offers the young flies a once-in-a-lifetime chance to sneak onto the spacecraft unnoticed and be a part of one of humanity's greatest achievements. Kelly Ripa voices a mother fly who is deeply concerned about her son Nat’s impulsive thirst for adventure.

The film is directed by Ben Stassen, who has a unique talent for presenting quite a common concept, in this case – flies, in an extraordinary setting. The plotlines seamlessly blend the unusual fly narrative with the magnitude of the Apollo 11 mission. The film does a commendable job of simplifying complex scientific theories and the mechanics of space travel, making it easily understandable for the children.

Fly Me to the Moon is visually stunning with remarkable attention to detail in each frame. The movie successfully provides viewers with an insight into the astonishing but often ignored world of flies. It also offers an awe-inspiring perspective of space. In many scenes, the film leaps into 3D animation thereby enhancing the viewing experience. Dedicated scientific accuracy complements the central space theme and precision in the overall animation raises the bar for future films of this genre.

However, the movie doesn't limit itself to just the adventure; it subtly educates about teamwork, courage, ambition, and the beauty of dreaming big. The film tries to get the viewers to feel for the flies, to understand their motivations, and to, albeit temporarily, become part of their world. The movie includes mild suspenseful elements, light-hearted humor, and a dash of sentimentality, striking a perfect balance that could fascinate its audience while maintaining the movie's light-hearted tone.

Moreover, apart from the central characters, the side characters in the film also hold significant roles. They add dimension to the narrative, contributing to various sub-plots that keep the main plot lively and dynamic. Nicolette Sheridan voices Nadia, a tough, no-nonsense spy-fly who proves that she’s just as capable as her male counterparts.

Fly Me to the Moon demonstrates an intriguing narrative that highlights the inherent curiosity and restlessness that often fuels great adventures and discoveries. Its blend of unique characters, intriguing plot, stunning animation, and a touch of history makes it a must-watch movie for children and space enthusiasts. Throughout its duration, viewers are likely to find themselves gripped by the splendidly animated lunar landscapes, the intrigue of the Apollo 11 mission, and perhaps, even develop a new-found respect for the tiny, buzzing creatures which we generally overlook.

Overall, Fly Me to the Moon encourages viewers, primarily children, to dare to dream, imagine, and strive for the seemingly impossible - a lesson that is essentially timeless.