Jan. 11, 2018|Italy|85 Min.|R
Genre: Adventure;Animation;Family;History;Kids;Music;Mystery;Romance
Description: **Leo Da Vinci: Mission Mona Lisa (2018) – Full Movie Overview**
“*Leo da Vinci: Mission Mona Lisa*” is an animated adventure that portrays the famous painter and inventor as a young adult. In the film, Leonardo da Vinci, voiced by Johnny Yong Bosch, uses his genius to help his love interest, Lisa, recover financially after her family’s farm is destroyed. Their budding romance, including a heartfelt kiss, is a central part of the story.
Set in a historical context, the movie showcases da Vinci’s revolutionary inventions, such as a self-moving cart, a primitive plane, a parachute, and an underwater breathing apparatus. While younger viewers may not grasp the significance of these creations for their time, the film effectively emphasizes the fun and innovation of STEM-based ideas.
The story also introduces some of da Vinci’s most iconic works, including the *Mona Lisa* and *Vitruvian Man* (without nudity). Although there is no actual violence, the film includes moments of peril, such as encounters with sharks, sword-wielding pirates, and eerie sunken ships, which might unsettle younger or more sensitive audiences. However, these tense moments are often lightened by quick musical interludes.
One scene that may require parental guidance involves a pirate extinguishing a large match by sticking it in his mouth and exhaling a thick, vape-like cloud of smoke.
In *Leo da Vinci: Mission Mona Lisa*, after Lisa’s farm is destroyed in a fire, Leonardo da Vinci uses his inventive skills to locate a lost underwater treasure to help her family. When he discovers that pirates are also after the treasure—and him—Leo must rely on his ingenuity to protect himself and his friends.
While the concept of transforming the original Renaissance man into a STEM-focused action hero is commendable, the film’s amateurish computer graphics detract from the celebration of da Vinci’s artistic brilliance. The movie falls short of truly capturing the depth of his genius but still serves as an accessible introduction to his ideas, inventions, and works for younger audiences.
Cast director: Sergio Manfio
Cast actor: Johnny Yong Bosch, Cherami Leigh, Bryce Papenbrook, Faith Graham, Landen Beattie, Michael Sorich, Keith Silverstein, Jamieson Price, Darrel Guilbeau, Tom Fahn
Original name: Leo Da Vinci: Mission Mona Lisa