Set right before Christmas, Niko 2: Little Brother, Big Trouble is an animated comedy-adventure in which Niko the young reindeer must deal with his mother getting remarried and having to look after his little stepbrother. Photo: Supplied.
Often dreams do not become reality. Such is the case with Niko, the young boy reindeer in Niko 2: Little Brother, Big Trouble, an animated adventure that has a heartwarming ”family” message for children and adults.
You see, Niko has always lived with just his mum, Oona, even though secretly, he wishes that she and his hero dad, Prancer (voice of Paul Tylak), would reunite and that they could all live happily together like a “normal” family.
However, change is in the air as Oona (Susan Slott) tells Niko (Matthew Boyle) some surprising news: she has met an ordinary reindeer guy named Lenni (Michael Sheehan). He and his little son, Jonni, will be moving in! Niko’s world is rocked: not only will he not be the only child anymore, but he has to live with, and look after, a new, cute little stepbrother – not exactly Niko’s wish.
Being upset about how sweet everybody thinks Jonni is, Niko takes him to play hide-and-seek in the woods. While playing, Niko can’t help but think how much better life would be if Jonni would just simply disappear. Then … that’s exactly what happens!
On realising Jonni (Callum Maloney) has been kidnapped by eagles, Niko flies off to rescue him, setting out on a dangerous journey through the Lappish wilderness. During his journey, Niko is joined by an old, near-blind reindeer named Tobias (Ned Dennehy), who is revealed to be the former leader of Santa Claus’s reindeer, Santa’s Flying Forces.
However, also standing in Niko’s way is White Wolf (Niamh Shaw), Black Wolf’s younger sister, who is the leader of the eagles and wants revenge on Niko for her brother’s death. Niko and his ‘’team’’ come up with a plan to save Jonni, defeat White Wolf and return home. While on his epic journey to save his brother, Niko learns the importance of friendship and family.
Niko 2: Little Brother, Big Trouble, also known as Little Brother, Big Trouble: A Christmas Adventure (or simply as Niko 2), has the power to produce deep emotion and a few laughs!
Set right before Christmas, this is a 2012 Finnish-Danish-Irish animated comedy-escapade, the sequel to The Flight Before Christmas. It was written by Hannu Tuomainen and Marteinn Thorisson, and directed by Kari Juusonen and Jorgen Lerdam. Like its predecessor, it is among the most expensive Finnish films ever produced.
Juusonen says it was vital for the creative team to tell Niko’s own story of “searching, which was like a compass always pointing us in the right direction. It had to be told”.
“Niko doesn’t want to share his home or the love of his mother with anyone, but when, finally, he lets go of his selfishness, he gains a lot more than he had ever imagined,” he said.
“This is the thought that I find attractive in Niko’s story. Yet at the bottom there is the fine and complex story of a little boy. Niko grows out of his selfishness, like we all have to do at some point in order to move on from being self-centred children to becoming well-balanced grown-ups. But letting go of this selfishness is difficult.”
Scriptwriter-producer Tuomainen points out “once dad was found, Niko’s next step was to find a family, his own basic unit”.
“Fate steps in as Niko realises he’s responsible for Jonni and goes to search for him,” he said. “Niko has to find Jonni to save his skin, but this is the beginning of an adventure during which Niko really starts to discover brotherhood and starts to take responsibility for the smaller boy. It is a journey on which Niko needs courage and determination but also – once again – help from others.
“There follows an emotional storm that can be expected in these circumstances. Nobody makes it on their own. And once the trials have been overcome together, a new experience of life opens up to Niko. Life calls for growth. He wished for a certain kind of basic family, but found a different kind. One that is bigger, more complex, something new. A family with room for all, a family where everybody is loved. Equally and unconditionally.”
This cute holiday film also includes important messages about being truthful, answerable for one’s actions and the value of community. It’s about the effort we put in. All families have ups and downs, and as long as we weather these storms together, in the end … we are all winners!
Niko 2: Little Brother, Big Trouble, co-directed by Kari Juusonen and Jorgen Lerdam, has been released to digital platforms
