In which FANTASTIC VOYAGE gets a kid-oriented overhaul. I’m surprised no other children’s movie ever utilized the concept of the 1996 Norwegian film BODY TROOPERS (JAKTEN PA NYRESTEINEN), of a shrunken-down child entering his grandfather’s body to destroy a kidney stone (with the closest example being OSMOSIS JONES from 2001).
We’re introduced to Simon, a lad with a sentient teddy bear (a precursor to the chatty toy companions of A.I. and KOOKY) who talks in an old man’s voice (having been passed down from Simon’s elders) and is quite a smartass. The teddy also possesses a magic powder capable of shrinking people down to the size of a flea. Thus when Simon’s grandfather, known as Eagle, is laid low by kidney stones the teddy springs into action, sprinkling Simon with the powder and causing him to shrink.
In his new ultra-tiny guise Simon climbs into his sleeping grandfather’s mouth. This allows him access to the old man’s innards, run by a band of oddly dressed weirdies that include Mapster, a Mohawk-sporting kid (and nephew of a “Secretion Service” agent) who hangs out in the throat and becomes Simon’s companion. Venturing deeper into the body they gain another companion, a girl named Alveola who resides in the lungs. This intrepid trio then enters the heart, where they meet the body’s queen. She informs them of what’s ailing Eagle: a massive kidney stone, bequeathed by evil “Salt Hackers” intent on destroying the body.
This allows him access to the old man’s innards, run by a band of oddly dressed weirdies that include Mapster, a Mohawk-sporting kid (and nephew of a “Secretion Service” agent) who hangs out in the throat and becomes Simon’s companion.
Moving down to the stomach, the kids consult a professor who previously resided in the brain (but got tired and moved) about how to defeat the Salt Hackers and destroy the kidney stone. The answer: water. Eagle’s insides are quite dry due to the fact that the Salt Hackers are blocking his urine, and it’s up to Simon and Mapster to infiltrate the bladder, find some water and make things right.
In this film director Vibeke Idsøe (of the 2016 Netflix pick-up THE LION WOMAN) juxtaposes breakneck action with thoughtful discourse quite well, but the pacing is too leisurely for its own good. There’s no sense of urgency or suspense, much less excitement.
None of the overtly theatrical costumes or brightly lit, walk-through sets look particularly realistic, but realism—in a film that depicts a body’s vocal chords via an organ player and a lonely guy named “A. Pendix” and his “legion of unemployed” workers representing the old man’s appendix—doesn’t appear to have been among Idsøe’s primary concerns. The fact that practical sets are utilized at all (the film having been made before CGI became prevalent in European cinema) gives the proceedings an edge. Also utilized are animation, both stop-motion and traditional, and distorted lenses.
As kid-friendly satire the film doesn’t quite work, and nor is it too effective as a learning tool. The filmmakers were evidently too enamored with the spectacle they were creating to pay much attention to nuance. Taken purely as a fantasy spectacle the film is not unimpressive, with a fully worked-out universe with its own laws and terminology, proving that Idsøe’s imagination far outstrips his filmmaking skills.
Vital Statistics
BODY TROOPERS
Filmkameratene A/S/ NRK Drama/Norsk Film/ Svensk Filmindustri
Director: Vibeke Idsøe
Producer: John M. Jacobsen
Screenplay: Vibeke Idsøe
Cinematography: Kjell Vassdal
Editing: Håkon Øverås
Cast: Torbjörn T. Jensen, Jenny Skavlan, Benjamin Helstad, Kjersti Holmen, Lage Fosheim, Morten Faldaas, Sigve Bøe, Harald Eia, Bjørn Jenseg, Jan Devo Kornstad, Tone Hulbækmo, Leif Dubard, Herborg Kråkevik, Helén Vikstvedt, Terje Strømdahl, Cæcilie Norby, Toralv Maurstad