Boasting an impeccable cast and one of my favorite scores of the year, this adaptation of Ivan's true story might follow a (slightly changed) generic formula, but it's undoubtedly an emotional journey worthy of everyone's attention.

| Original Score: A- | Jul 24, 2023

One of this summer's best family films.

| Original Score: 3.5/4 | Dec 23, 2022

The story shows signs of stress especially as it threatens to turn into an animal version of “The Great Escape”. White (thankfully) dials it back and points towards a potentially better finish.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Aug 24, 2022

As a whole, it deals delicately with loss, friendship and the idea of breaking the cycle of abuse.

| Jul 15, 2021

[The One and Only Ivan is] a surprisingly sweet and gentle film that favors contemplative discussions of freedom and identity rather than indulging in overwrought busyness.

| Jun 5, 2021

Disney's flavorless charm spread on a flavorless ceiling tile of passable family entertainment.

| Mar 30, 2021

Perfectly functional, to be sure... Its chief problem is that it's inordinately boring.

| Original Score: 2.5/5 | Mar 25, 2021

The One and Only Ivan is a Disney movie through-and-through, for better or worse. It has plenty of moments for both kids and adults to enjoy, even if its take on the story is only skin deep.

| Feb 5, 2021

The gently paced drama contains life lessons about leadership, treating all living creatures with kinship, love and respect and the value of promises. Best of all, it preaches and practices empathy for humans and animals.

| Original Score: 3.5/5 | Jan 29, 2021

The messages it propounds - the ills of an anthropocentric worldview, compassion towards our fellow living organisms, and so on - may be old, but the film works by doing most things right and telling a charming story that should appeal to all ages.

| Original Score: 3.5/5 | Jan 29, 2021

An old fashioned, sweet, feel good movie that works for kids and also adults who love animals. The script left sloppy loose ends, but the always amazing Brooklynn Prince, who voices Ruby, can make anyone's heart melt.

| Original Score: 7 | Oct 12, 2020

Heartwarming, if a little obvious, this is excellent family film fun from Disney. With a cheery cast and a thick layer of schmaltz, it's exactly what you'd expect - but that's not a bad thing here.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Sep 23, 2020

The One and Only Ivan may prove too melancholic for young kids, but the animals inspire awe, and the film draws winningly on Disney classics like Dumbo and Bambi.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Sep 16, 2020

[A film] with all the nuances that a film for all audiences allows... thanks to its director, Thea Sharrock. [Full review in Spanish]

| Original Score: 3/5 | Sep 9, 2020

Reminiscent of "Charlotte's Web," it's a touching, tender tale for tiny tots...

| Original Score: 6/10 | Sep 7, 2020

Heartwarming film for all. The original song "Free" written by iconic songwriter Diane Warren, sets the tone and intended message of the film.

| Original Score: 3/4 | Sep 6, 2020

It has whimsy and heart and is emotional but not depressing.

| Sep 3, 2020

It's okay for families, but I don't think there's anything great or new here.

| Sep 1, 2020

It doesn't feel like the film knows what it wants to be, and I think the biggest problem is that it brushes up against some really thorny territory like animal captivity and freedom... And yet it seems to really lack the teeth to go there.

| Sep 1, 2020

The director and writer do introduce plot twists that are not in the book, but they should have gone further. They soften bits of it, with the younger viewers in mind. They should have had us on the edge of our seats...

| Original Score: 2.5/5 | Aug 31, 2020