But, there are some quite serious flaws, starting with the main character. She comes into the world with an adolescent body but the mind of a child, and not a very bright one at that. I suppose this makes sense in as much as she hasn't had time for learning, meeting other people or gaining experience, but it would raise serious ethical issues in a non-cartoon world, given that the plot is basically about who she's going to marry - the prince or the growing number of other enthusiastic suitors.
It also explains her reaction to being kidnapped, as with Pinnochio-like innocence her initial annoyance is transformed by the promises of the kidnappers to guide her to fame and fortune.
Which brings us to another problem, which is some messages that may escape primary school children but probably not high-school ones. The kidnappers are stereotypical Mexicans, although purportedly Spanish. And when the fieldmouse is encouraging her to marry the mole she says "He may be blind but at least his eyes are blue". And then there's this entire plot based around a young woman's future being entirely geared to marrying her prince and 'living happily ever after' and, in this case, one can't see this heroine actually being able to fend for herself. There is one scene where she shows decisiveness, but immediately marches off into a snowstorm and has to be rescued. It also feeds into the dangerous meme that it you want something strongly enough it will come true, which glosses over the entire notion of training and development and other people also having freedom of choice.
But as I said, it is very cute and will be lapped up by children up to a certain age and those older people who are captivated by 'cute' (I fear I am probably one), but anybody over 10 should be warned that to really appreciate it they'll have to just accept its flaws and try to ignore them.
Review of Thumbelina
