Riverdance: The Animated Adventure is a 2021 animated Sky Cinema original fantasy adventure film starring Pierce Brosnan as a stepdancing Megaloceros which is based on the Riverdance stage show.
Tropes
- Ancient Order of Protectors: Keegan's family has been manning the lighthouse and keeping the Huntsman at bay with its light for many generations. Grandpa impresses this importance upon Keegan, but the boy doesn't take the legend seriously, which allows the Huntsman to sneak in.
- Big Bad: The Huntsman is the primary villain here, seeking to infiltrate the magical land and hunt the Megaloceros.
- Big Good: Patrick, The king of Megaloceros, leads the riverdance that keeps the rivers flowing, he protects the herd, and he advises Keegan.
- Chekhov's Skill: Keegan is shown to be pretty handy with a hurling stick and ball, which becomes important when the Huntsman tries to sail away with Patrick's horns and Keegan has to range-attack him.
- Coming of Age Story: The high-level structure is Keegan coming to grips with his grandfather's death and inheriting his grandfather's responsibilities.
- Dance Party Ending: The final scene is a St. Patrick's day party, where everyone is dancing and having fun. Would you expect anything else from a movie inspired by Riverdance?
- Evil Plan: The Huntsman wants to kill the king of the Megaloceros to acquire the grand horns on his head. With these, he can dry up the river and spread his darkness to the entire land.
- Experienced Protagonist: Moya has been to the magical land of the Megaloceros before. She knows how to get there, how to navigate, and is already friends with several of its talking animals. She's basically Keegan's guide.
- Every Proper Lady Should Curtsy: When greeting Patrick, Moya drops a curtsy to show him respect as the king of the Megaloceros.
- Evil Poacher: The huntsman is an antagonistic character who pursues and tries to hunt down the Megaloceros.
- Graceful Ladies Like Purple: Moya is a wonderful dancer whose outfits include a lot of purple, especially the solid purple Flamenco dress she wears at the St.Patrick's day party.
- I Have Many Names: When Keegan asks the big guy with the hunting gear if he is the Huntsman, he is told that this name is one of the entity's many guises.
- Light Is Good: Only the lighthouse's beacon can ward off the Huntsman. The Northern Lights appear to work as well.
- Magical Underpinnings of Reality: The morning Irish step dancing of the Megaloceros keeps the river flowing and thus life growing.
- Never Got to Say Goodbye: Keegan expresses this regret, since his granddad died in his sleep suddenly. This is a key plot point, as Moya takes him on the journey to the magical land so he can find Granddad's spirit and say goodbye properly. He does meet his grandfather at the designated place, but there is no time for a heart-to-heart. The proper goodbye takes place later, after the climax.
- National Animal Stereotypes: Megaloceros isn't often featured as an Irish stereotype, but it is also known as the Irish Elk.
- Prehistoric Life - Mammals: Megaloceros, aka the “spirit deer”, is a prehistoric species of gigantic deer.
- Recycled Soundtrack: The film incorporates Bill Whelan's music from the stage show in various contexts throughout, such as "Reel Around the Sun" being used for Grandpa's funeral dance and "The Countess Cathleen" for when Moya "dances" on water.
- Supporting Protagonist: The story may be about Keegan but, in this movie inspired by Riverdance, the star is definitely Moya, who does much of the dancing.
- Vile Villain, Saccharine Show: It's a kid-friendly film on the whole, with plenty of fun musical numbers and talking-animal comic relief. That doesn't stop Brendan Gleeson turning in a genuinely chilling performance as the Huntsman.
- Walk on Water: Moya can dance across a river, which is much harder than walking. She is actually standing on fish who carry her across the water.
- Would Hurt a Child: The Huntsman is willing to do this by taking Keegan hostage to get Patrick's Antlers.
