People wanting great special effects or a rather adult plot will be disappointed. This movie is wonderful in context with its true purpose. It's a fairy tale...a child's folklore...and a great rendition of such at that. I first watched this movie when I was eight or nine and immediately fell in love with it. It contains all the elements of a classic fairy tale. Also, the Scandinavian influence in the movie is remarkable. As i have matured over the years, i am no longer as captivated by the movie. However, this movie still embodies what is good about a child's fairy tale. It is still great to watch when you feel like being a little kid once again.