Movie Review: ***^Ferdinand (2017)

How do you take a classic children's book and make it new.  You add a little girl who loves Ferdinand.  This story is about not always being what others expect, or you can't read a book by the cover.  John Cena voices Ferdinand, the barnyard rebel who realizes that things do not turn out well for the bull.  Ferdinand is part of the family, after he escapes the bull ranch when he is young.
However when the bull fighters come looking for the perfect bull, Ferdinand is bound to be overlooked, except for a bee.  An ill-timed bee sting has Ferdinand selected for a big day at the bullfight.  Despite a wild escape attempt, Ferdinand ends up in the bull ring; where he doesn't fight, finally winning over the full fighter.  Ferdinand is much more interested in flowers than fighting.

Book Review: The Story of Ferdinand

The Story of Ferdinand by Munro Leaf, drawings by Robert Lawson, Scholastic, New York, original Viking Press, 1936.
This book is the inspiration for the movie out last year.  Ferdinand is a bull unlike the other bulls.  he prefers to sit quietly enjoying the smell of the flowers rather than butting heads with other bulls.  However, when the bullfight managers come to select a bull for the bull fights, a bumble bee intervenes and Ferdinand goes crazy and is selected.  However, in the ring he is more interested in the flowers in the hats of all the ladies, and sits and smells; and refuses to fight.  Neither the Banderilleros, the Picadores nor he Matador are able to show off.  I especially like the drawing of the trantruming Matador.