The adventures of the curious meerkat Tafiti, conceived by the successful children's book author Julia Boehme (“My girlfriend Conni”), have long been part of the permanent inventory of German children's room. For more than ten years, the lovingly designed books with a combination of narrative text and watercolor illustrations have appeared at Löwe Verlag and are aimed at children from the age of five. Tafiti and his loyal friend brush, a brush ear pig, experience numerous adventures in the Savanne Namibia. With “Tafiti – off through the desert“By Nina Wels (” Latte hedgehog and the magical waterstone “), the well -known figures now make it to the big screen for the first time.
The animated film is not based on the original books, but relies on a computer -animated look with changeable quality. The story is episodically from location to the scene, without real figure development or dramaturgical depth. Despite the values for friendship, tolerance and teamwork, Tafitis Film Debüt remains a consistently conventional 08/15 cinema adventure, which can neither keep up with optically nor narrative in the upper animation film league.
Although he is warned by everyone not to get involved with other animal species, Tafiti makes an exception to the brush -ear pig brush.
Tafiti grew up with its two siblings in a strict but caring meerkat building in the African savannah. Security stands above everything, the sermon OPAPA tirelessly: strangers are dangerous, the world out there is full of predators – even a butterfly can become a distraction and thus become a danger. But Tafiti is brave and open -minded. It cannot be intimidated by Opapa's warnings. When the tapy brush -ear pig brush is gripped by an eagle, Tafiti saves it without further ado, contrary to all the rules.
After the spontaneous rescue, brush is not so easy to shake off and follows Tafiti for his construction. Due to its presence, the family is distracted and a dangerous snake is called on the scene. When OPAPA is bitten, there is only a hope of saving him from the deadly snake poison: a legendary blue flower that is said to have a healing effect. It should grow far behind the desert in a mysterious valley. Tafiti wants to save his grandfather and – despite the fears of his family – embarks on the dangerous search for the flower. And the brush plagued by feelings of guilt continues to trotted behind him …
Quick from station to station
Unfortunately, the journey that leads Tafiti and brushes from the savannah over underground lakes and mountain passes to the sea coast through a wide variety of habitats does not really create spaces for the development of the main characters. Instead, the story rushes from scenario to scenario. New challenges are introduced only to be solved in the next moment by sudden coincidences or unmotivated, sudden change of heart. The friendship of the two heroes also develops only superficially, including the expected break, which is kit again as quickly. On the way the duo meets various animals- such as a self-centered elephant point of view that falcates neck over head into an elephant lady; Or an over -top lizard that dances over the extremely hot salt pans.
Such appearances are meant funny, but usually remain purely functional for the progress of history. The central message of friendship, cohesion and openness cannot really ignite, since neither figures nor the action develop enough depth. Character developments hardly take place. Tafiti is brave from the start and remains. The talkative brush is awkward and good -faith right from the start and also remains. An inner change can be seen at best with supporting characters, but it then seems very rushed and immature.
On their journey through the desert, Tafiti and brush make all sorts of curious acquaintances.
Important topics such as prejudices or differences between the animal species are introduced, but not executed. Even tagitis reminders and rebellions against family distrust of strangers to a rather striking gesture. On his first excursion from home building, it is already forgotten any caution in relation to other animals – and afterwards there is never a serious conflict with his family.
“Tafiti-off through the desert” works like a film that is primarily intended as a franchise vehicle: colorful, loud, fast-but without narrative finesse and backbone. The story follows the classic hero's journey, but instead of excitement or surprises, there is only a loose series of stations, encounters and problems that never have real consequence. The script works with predictable plot points and follows the structure “Obstacle, conflict, solution – and continue!” too schematic.
Despite the desert setting, the animations look rather cold
The animation quality also fluctuates strongly. While some fur textures and lighting effects have been successful, some movements look wooden. Overall, the world seems somewhat bare and little lively. Tafitis red neckerchief, whose wrinkle is sitting equally in every scene, symbolizes the more static overall impression. The humor is aimed at very young spectators: fart jokes, a chattering brush and nonsense supporting characters make the youngest giggling, but an additional level is missing for older children or adults.
Unfortunately, the warmth and calm, which radiate the loving drawings of the books, are completely lost with the computer -generated animations. An individual, reduced animation style, such as “My girlfriend Conni – secret about hangover Mau”, would have better suited the template and target group. Instead, “Tafiti” is the attempt to connect to international CGI projects, which, however, does not work with a lower budget and a lack of screenplay refinement.
Conclusion: “Tafiti-off through the desert” is a rather uninspired cinema trip of the popular children's book earth-earth men. The adventure, which rushes through the locations at high speed, does not convince neither narrative nor animated technology, and lacks depth and warmth.
We saw “Tafiti – off through the desert” as part of the Munich Film Festival in 2025, where he celebrated its world premiere.