Un Disfraz para Nicolas (A Costume for Nicolas)
By Brian Costello,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Animated movie about imaginative boy with Down syndrome.
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Un Disfraz para Nicolas (A Costume for Nicolas)
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What's the Story?
In UN DISFRAZ PARA NICOLAS (A COSTUME FOR NICOLAS), Nicolas is a 10-year-old boy with Down syndrome. Growing up, his mother would make him a new costume each year, costumes like a monkey, a pirate, a giant. She would tell Nicolas fantastical stories based on these costumes. After the untimely passing of his mother, Nicolas is sent to live with his grandparents Ana and Tomas. He's to share a bedroom with his older cousin David, who resents Nicolas moving into his space, doesn't understand Nicolas, and doesn't want him following him when he goes off to play soccer. David also struggles with nightmares, rooted in his father being far away due to work. One night, while David is having a nightmare, Nicolas thinks he sees a monster lurking under the bunkbed. While trying to escape the monster, Nicolas is pulled into the chest that contains the costumes his mother gave him. Inside the chest, Nicolas is transported into a magical realm filled with pirates, Western movie villains, monkeys, and a wizard. In this world, he meets Ana, who's trying to rescue her sister Sophie, who has been taken by a wizard. Nicolas must find a way to help Ana and rescue the kingdom, and when he brings David along for the journey, he'll show him how kindness, imagination, and bravery can win the day, be it in this world or their lives at home and in school.
Is It Any Good?
This is a wonderful movie about the power of love and imagination, and how a young boy with Down syndrome is defined by both. Un Disfraz para Nicolas (A Costume for Nicolas) is a Mexican animated movie that effectively addresses some serious topics that many kids contend with, such as bullying, the loss of a parent, and changing family situations, and it does so without either sugarcoating these issues or going too far in the opposite direction and upsetting kids. The costume metaphor works perfectly here, as Nicolas's grandfather Tomas beautifully explains to him (and us) what truly makes Nicolas such a one-of-a-kind child.
In Nicolas's imaginary world inside his costume chest, there are some moments of potty humor, but the silliness works in terms of keeping the movie relatively light and accessible for young kids. The animation is solid, if not distinctive, and fits the style and substance of the story. This is an excellent movie all around.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Nicolas in A Costume for Nicolas has Down syndrome. How does the movie focus on all the things that Nicolas can do, and how his kindness and imagination make him unique?
Nicolas's grandfather tells him that while many people wear costumes to hide who they are, Nicolas wears costumes to reveal who he is. What do you think that means?
Do you like to create imaginary worlds and characters in your imagination? What kind of people and animals live in these worlds you create?
What character strengths are on display in this movie?
Movie Details
- In theaters: August 14, 2020
- On DVD or streaming: March 19, 2021
- Cast: Paty Cantú , Fran Fernández , Christina Hernandez
- Director: Eduardo Rivero
- Inclusion Information: Latino directors
- Studio: Fotosintesis Media
- Genre: Family and Kids
- Topics: Adventures , Friendship , Great Boy Role Models , Middle School , Monsters, Ghosts, and Vampires , Pirates
- Character Strengths: Compassion , Courage , Empathy
- Run time: 80 minutes
- MPAA rating: NR
- Last updated: March 3, 2022
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