‘Niko – Beyond the Northern Lights’ Debuts Clip as Beloved Reindeer Returns for Third Time: ‘In This Film We See the Biggest Change in Niko’ (EXCLUSIVE)

As a seasoned cinema enthusiast with a penchant for animated films, I must say that the upcoming release of “Niko – Beyond the Northern Lights” has me thoroughly excited! The third installment in this beloved franchise promises to deliver not only action and humor but also some profound life lessons, which is always a treat.

In the upcoming CGI animated movie “Niko – Beyond the Northern Lights,” everyone’s beloved reindeer character makes his third appearance, and EbMaster has the exclusive privilege to unveil a sneak peek of this clip below! This time around, he embarks on a journey where he learns significant life lessons.

Director Kari Juusonen jokes, “It seems we enjoy adding complexity to Niko’s tasks,” playfully suggesting. Co-directed by Jørgen Lerdam.

By the finale, it was evident that he stood apart due to this extraordinary journey and the many discoveries made along the way. What’s captivating about animation is that it allows for such contrast – from somber instances to exuberant scenes filled with soaring action.

In the third installment of the well-known series, originally launched in 2008 as “The Flight Before Christmas”, Niko dreams of emulating his father and becoming a part of Santa’s elite Airborne Squad – the Flying Forces. He has successfully conquered his fear of heights; however, the expectation to match up to his dad is proving quite challenging.

According to Mikko Pitkänen, the production designer, this movie presents a significant transformation in Niko’s character. While he is accustomed to learning new things, his current development suggests that he is about to enter adulthood. Essentially, Niko is maturing and reaching teenagehood.

Remarkably, we’ve made a third film, which wasn’t initially part of our design. It’s not just about piling on more action or funnier gags – it’s a logical evolution of the central character. This tale, focusing on Niko and his father, ultimately reaches its resolution.

The team at animation studio Anima Vitae wasn’t afraid of some darker themes.

Juusonen states, “We’re open to making it quite intense. Mikko has made these characters captivating, even if reindeers have their limitations in animation. They can’t use any props. With ‘Niko,’ we chose to get up close with the camera and create a heavy emotional impact, then lighten things up with action and humor. Pitkänen chuckles, “If I had my way, these movies would be much more somber!

Isn’t it intriguing how intense Disney movies from back then were? For instance, consider ‘The Rescuers,’ where two mice work together to rescue a kidnapped child. One of the most thrilling aspects is experiencing fear in the cinema alongside others, knowing that everything will turn out okay in the end.

The movie is created by Antti Haikala, Hannu Tuomainen, Emely Christians, Moe Honan, and Anders Mastrup, with Anima Vitae, Cinemaker, Ulysses Films, Moetion Films, and A. Film Production as the production companies. This collaboration is further supported by Telepool, Nordisk Film, Global Screen (who also manage sales), Bac Films, MTV, RTE, and DR.

They never anticipated creating a franchise with international appeal.

Juusonen remarks that both the first and second films came as a total shock to him.

Regarding the initial script, it struck us as an exceptionally captivating concept. Being Finns, there’s a deep sense of connection we feel towards Santa Claus and his flying reindeer, making it a story we felt compelled to share authentically. It seemed groundbreaking within Finland, as no one had attempted something similar before,” remarks Pitkänen.

Keen to honor the pristine Lappish landscape and Santa’s beloved town, Rovaniemi – where he dwells, they instead expanded their festivities, concentrating on the traditions surrounding Niko’s kinship, moving past just the Christmas celebration.

As a movie enthusiast, I can relate to the tale of a reindeer searching for self-discovery and truth, much like my journey with my own children. Just as he does, they’ve made me realize: ‘Gosh, that’s me. Sometimes I don’t have all the answers.’ A hearty chuckle escapes me, Juusonen.

As a movie connoisseur, I must say that this animated masterpiece offers an unprecedented cinematic experience. It skillfully weaves in genuine, relatable moments that resonate deeply, drawing inspiration from the filmmaker’s personal life.

Pitkänen responded to the story as a stepfather.

“To have this squirrel as a sort of stepfather to Niko… I’ve always thought it was such a great idea. Most U.S. films focus on ‘nuclear family’ and after the first ‘Niko,’ we got some harsh comments about his father not coming back to the family. People were furious about it! They said it wasn’t suitable for children. To us, it just felt true to life,” he says.

In the third movie, it becomes clear that sometimes adults don’t get things right. By the end, you understand that you have the power to choose wiser paths than those your parents may have taken.

In my perspective as a movie enthusiast, as I delve into the heart-wrenching tale of Niko uncovering the raw truths about his father, the film manages to maintain a delightful balance of humor. Yet, beware the mischievous lemmings that seem poised to upstage the entire production with their antics.

Pitkänen admits that many individuals showed enthusiasm towards the lemmings,” he suggests, brainstorming potential follow-ups. However, these won’t materialize right away, or so it seems. But could they possibly appear sooner rather than later?

It’s prudent to begin brainstorming ideas for another Niko film. Since the second one in 2012 (‘Little Brother, Big Trouble: A Christmas Adventure’), we’ve held off due to the need for a suitable plot. However, there are numerous unexplored avenues left.

2024-09-20 13:17

‘Niko – Beyond the Northern Lights’ Debuts Clip as Beloved Reindeer Returns for Third Time: ‘In This Film We See the Biggest Change in Niko’ (EXCLUSIVE)

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