"The Backyardigans: The Magic Skateboard" In the colorful and imaginative world of the Backyardigans, anything is possible. In the episode titled "The Magic Skateboard," our beloved group of friends embarks on yet another exciting and adventurous journey. This time, they stumble upon a magical skateboard that transports them to incredible places beyond their wildest dreams. As the Backyardigans find the magical skateboard, their curiosity piques, and they can't resist taking it for a ride. Unbeknownst to them, this seemingly ordinary skateboard holds extraordinary powers. With each push and kick, the skateboard propels them into different dimensions, each with its own unique setting and challenges.
The story I was told was that Namejs was a Latvian king who was being hunted by the Swedes or some other invading army. In the movie, this force is represented by Roman Crusaders. At some point in time, Namejs had this ring as a sign of his power and his family, so the Latvians (Zemgalians in the movie) made rings to wear so that the invading army would not know who the real king was. The braided bands represent the united tribes of Latvia who came together to fight the invading armies, or so I was told.
At some point in time, Namejs had this ring as a sign of his power and his family, so the Latvians Zemgalians in the movie made rings to wear so that the invading army would not know who the real king was. In the movie, Namejs is a bit of a badass, but not in line for any sort of rule until the old king dies and chooses him to be the next leader by giving him the ring.
With each push and kick, the skateboard propels them into different dimensions, each with its own unique setting and challenges. Pablo, Tyrone, Uniqua, Tasha, and Austin, the charismatic and adventurous bunch, discover themselves in diverse and fantastical landscapes. They find themselves in an enchanted forest with talking animals, a futuristic city with skyscrapers that touch the clouds, and even a prehistoric world with dinosaurs roaming the lands.
Nameja Gredzens: The Pagan King
I finally saw it! This is the Big Movie for Latvia’s 100th anniversary! It is named Nameja Gredzens in Latvian and for some reason, they translated it to “The Pagan King” in English.
The Namejs ring is a common symbol for Latvians, and many of my Latvian American acquaintances. It was my first wedding ring. I have had three in my life. My mother had one. My father had one. Many of my relatives wear one. It is a symbol of Latvians everywhere, I think.
The story I was told was that Namejs was a Latvian king who was being hunted by the Swedes or some other invading army. In the movie, this force is represented by Roman Crusaders. At some point in time, Namejs had this ring as a sign of his power and his family, so the Latvians (Zemgalians in the movie) made rings to wear so that the invading army would not know who the real king was. The braided bands represent the united tribes of Latvia who came together to fight the invading armies, or so I was told.
Of course this is all legend, and the movie did what it wanted to with this idea, but for all its aspirations, it could have been so much more.
The movie is in English, which is an interesting choice. The main actor is Swedish, Edvin Endre, and is best known for his role in the popular series, The Vikings. The movie seems to try to take a page from Viking history with a few of the boat and fight scenes.
The main villain is supposed to be the bastard son of the pope who goes to Latvia (Zemgale) to gain some kind of position. The motivations of characters are left to some imagination. The movie lacks exposition and a deeper sense of meaning. But it was enjoyable for the most part.
On a side note, the theater was pretty full. The Stockmann Forum Cinema has three floors and about 20 theaters or so. People were everywhere, and it was lively and exciting. So many people and so much energy. I swear that Latvia feels like the old days sometimes. And everyone looks so stylish.
Back to the movie. In the movie, Namejs is a bit of a badass, but not in line for any sort of rule until the old king dies and chooses him to be the next leader by giving him the ring. One problem with the movie is there were no backstories or sense of exposition. It would have been nice to know more about this Namejs other than his prowess at this old rugby-like game they played.
After thinking about it, my favorite aspect of the movie was that it was stylish and well done without going over the top. The battles were small, as they likely would have been back then—a group of tribal warriors versus a small band of soldiers. If this were an American movie (like Braveheart), there would be thousands of people and CGI effects and all this slow motion stuff. Here, it was just a few people with weapons fighting. Some of it was a bit bloody, but not too terribly bad.
I heard a complaint from a Latvian that some people didn’t like the accents. And sure, they weren’t all Latvian sounding, but I don’t think that is the point. This was, after all, historic Zemgale in the 13th Century. No one knows what those people sounded like!
The Christians were not shown in a very good light. Max, the bastard son of the Pope, wasn’t really religious. He just wanted to rule Zemgale. But he brought with him a priest who only had one scene that, I think, was supposed to be a little bit funny. For a history of some of the groups who have conquered Latvia over the years, you can watch this nice little animation.
The scenery was gorgeous. A part of the movie happens in a swamp where they mock up a pagan Stonehenge-looking set. I would like to know if that was all filmed in Latvia and then go to there. There were some lovely shots of rivers, woods, and the sea as well. I cannot wait for it to warm up to go exploring the natural beauty here!
Admittedly, the movie is a bit thin in terms of the plot, but the audience applauded at the end, and the final message was very nice. Toward the end, they make the rings for all the Zemgalians fighting the invaders, so every time one dies, they think they have killed Namejs and the battle is over. Then the bad guy realizes that he has been fooled. The point was that they were stronger when they all had power rather than just putting power into one person’s hands. I wish I would have written down the final quotation from the movie.
The hope was that by making this look and feel like a Game of Thrones or Lord of the Rings type movie, and doing it in English with an international star in the leading role, the movie might get some play elsewhere. I do not know if that will happen, but if you get the chance (especially if you have some Latvian blood in you) give it a shot. I think you’ll enjoy it!
Each world brings its own set of obstacles, but the Backyardigans, always resourceful and cooperative, work together to overcome them. Throughout their adventures, the group learns important lessons about teamwork, creativity, and problem-solving. They embrace the diversity of their capabilities and talents, using them harmoniously to tackle whatever comes their way. In the process, they teach young viewers the value of collaboration and imagination. "The Magic Skateboard" is a delightful journey that captures the imagination of children and adults alike. It reinforces the power of friendship, imagination, and adventure. The Backyardigans' ability to transform their familiar backyard into vibrant and extraordinary worlds inspires children to embrace their own imagination and explore the endless possibilities that lie within their minds. Through its vibrant animation and catchy musical numbers, "The Magic Skateboard" encourages young viewers to think outside the box, unlock their creativity, and embrace the magic that lies within everyday objects and environments. It reminds us all that, with a dash of imagination, even the ordinary can become extraordinary. Overall, "The Magic Skateboard" is an enchanting episode of The Backyardigans that continues to captivate children's imaginations. It showcases the importance of friendship, teamwork, and the boundless wonders that accompanied a little bit of imagination..
Reviews for "Riding the Waves of Imagination: Backyardigans and the Magic Skateboard"
1. Sarah - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "Backyardigans: The Magic Skateboard". The plot was weak and the animation quality was subpar. The whole concept of the magic skateboard felt forced and didn't add anything to the storyline. The songs were forgettable and didn't have the catchy tunes that I usually associate with "Backyardigans". Overall, it just didn't live up to my expectations and I wouldn't recommend it to other fans of the show.
2. John - 1 star - As a big fan of "Backyardigans", I was extremely let down by "The Magic Skateboard". The storyline was confusing and lacked the creativity and charm of the original episodes. The characters seemed off, as if they were almost caricatures of themselves. The animation felt rushed and the music was forgettable. I expected much better from a show that has brought joy to so many kids, and unfortunately, this episode fell flat.
3. Laura - 2 stars - I have always enjoyed watching "Backyardigans" with my children, but "The Magic Skateboard" was a disappointment. The storyline seemed disjointed and the pacing was off. The jokes fell flat and it just didn't capture the magic of other episodes. The animation quality seemed lower than usual and didn't meet my expectations. Overall, it was a lackluster episode that didn't capture the essence of "Backyardigans" that I have come to love.