Grand Prix Of Europe

Grand Prix of Europe is an animated feature that thrives on color, energy, and a sense of playful chaos, even if its storytelling often feels as though it has one wheel stuck in the gravel. At its heart, it is a family-friendly romp across a cartoonish Europe where animals with human bodies and heads compete in a legendary racing event. Yet beneath the exaggerated slapstick and dizzying action sequences, there are kernels of charm, thanks largely to the lively vocal performances of its all-star British cast and a handful of moments where personality and warmth overtake formula.

The narrative focuses on Edda, voiced with verve by Gemma Arterton, a spirited young mouse who works with her father, played with warmth and understated humor by Lenny Henry, at their struggling amusement park on the outskirts of Paris. Edda dreams of leaving the smallness of her world behind and stepping into the arena of her idol, the four-time Grand Prix champion Ed, voiced by Thomas Brodie-Sangster. This setup establishes the classic underdog storyline—dreams deferred by circumstance, only to be catapulted into motion by a twist of fate. That twist comes when Edda’s enthusiasm inadvertently injures Ed, forcing her to drive in his place under his guidance via earpiece. What follows is less a straightforward sports story than a zany road trip through Europe, infused with sabotage, outrageous obstacles, and the discovery that perfectionism and isolation are no substitute for joy and companionship.

Visually, the film is its own carnival. The races, spanning Paris, Switzerland, Italy, and London, are opportunities for the animators to unleash set-pieces that border on the surreal. Obstacles designed by organizer Cindy, voiced by Hayley Atwell, include giant snowballs rolling down alpine passes, mechanical tentacles snapping through Italian waterways, and thunderbolts splitting the skies above London. These flourishes often feel like an excuse for visual indulgence rather than narrative necessity, but they undeniably give the film momentum and a sense of unpredictability. Children, particularly younger audiences, are likely to revel in this exaggerated mayhem, while adults may find themselves wondering just how Cindy’s budget approval process works—a joke the film knowingly acknowledges.

The supporting cast of racers adds to the film’s eccentric spirit. There is the shadowy raven Nachtkrabb, voiced by David McFarlane, who seems born to be a suspect in any act of sabotage, and Magnus, the ever-cheerful Swedish bear voiced by Peter Menkin, whose repeated near-victories and mispronounced “mooofins” offer lighter comic touches. Also present is Bockli, the Swiss goat voiced by Bobo, whose affable presence hides his competitiveness. Around the edges of the story, Edda’s father brings emotional grounding as a former driver whose glory days are behind him, while Rosa, the nearsighted fortune teller voiced by Sophia Antoine, and Jorge, the clumsy handyman bull voiced by Carlos Balderrama, provide comic diversions. Together, these characters create a patchwork of quirky personalities, though they sometimes feel more like decorative accessories than fully fleshed-out figures within the race.

There is an oddity to the film’s design choice—anthropomorphic animals with human bodies, clothing, and animal heads—that never quite settles into coherence. Yet, this very strangeness provides some of the film’s most memorable juxtapositions: a goat in a sleek racing suit, a raven brooding in leather, a mouse hidden behind oversized goggles. These flourishes are nonsensical, but they reinforce the film’s identity as something closer to a carnival ride than a cohesive narrative experience. It is worth remembering that the film was produced to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Europa-Park, Germany’s largest theme park, and this explains much of its design ethos: bright, overstated, and constantly in motion, like an attraction meant to dazzle rather than deepen.

What saves Grand Prix of Europe from being dismissed as just another forgettable family animation is the strength of its performances. Gemma Arterton’s Edda brims with a mix of youthful enthusiasm and stubborn bravery, making her an easy anchor for children to identify with. Lenny Henry adds gravitas and warmth to the father, subtly reminding viewers of the generational weight of dreams deferred and passed on. Most notably, Thomas Brodie-Sangster steals much of the spotlight as Ed, capturing the brittle arrogance of a sports star accustomed to control, perfection, and adoration. His voice work balances comedy and frustration, giving the character more dimension than the script itself provides.

The film does not reinvent the animated family movie. Its plotlines—an underdog racing to prove herself, a controlling mentor learning to loosen his grip, a mystery villain sabotaging the competition—are serviceable, even familiar. Yet the simplicity works in its favor compared to many children’s films that tie themselves into needless narrative knots. The sabotage subplot, while predictable, still lends suspense, especially when suspicion shifts between Nachtkrabb’s looming menace and Magnus’s suspiciously constant second-place finishes. This guessing game, light as it is, ensures the story retains some propulsion beyond the spectacle of the races themselves.

Grand Prix of Europe is unlikely to leave much of a mark on the animation landscape, but it fulfills its purpose as cheerful entertainment. It is fast-paced enough to keep younger audiences hooked, buoyed by bursts of absurd humor, and sprinkled with just enough heart to prevent it from collapsing under its own slapstick. Adults may roll their eyes at the overwrought antics and find the thematic messaging about teamwork and joy over perfection a little too pat, but there are flashes—particularly in Thomas Brodie-Sangster’s withering delivery—that provide genuine amusement. It is not a film to study, but rather one to experience in the same spirit it offers: like a theme park ride that may not make much sense, but still manages to keep you smiling until it screeches to a halt.

Grand Prix Of Europe
Directed by Waldemar Fast
Written by Kirstie Falkous, Jeffrey Hylton, John T. Reynolds, Ben Alexander Safier
Produced by Michael Mack
Starring  Thomas Brodie-Sangster, Gemma Arterton, Hayley Atwell, Lenny Henry
Edited by Björn Teubner
Music by Volker Bertelmann
Production companies : Mack Magic, Warner Bros. Film Productions Germany
Distributed by Kazoo Films (United Kingdom), KMBO (France), Viva Kids (United States)
Release dates : 29 August 2025 (United States), October 8, 2025 (France)
Running time ; 98 minutes

Seen on September 13 2025 at the Deauville International Center

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