Noah's Ark (Portuguese: A Arca de Noé) also known as Noah's Ark – A Musical Adventure is a 2024 animated musical comedy film directed and written by Sérgio Machado with co-direction by Alos di Leo. The film is a Brazil-India co-production and was inspired by poems written by the musicians Vinicius de Moraes and Antônio Carlos Jobim as well and it follows two brother mice named Tom and Vini who are searching for good luck while sneaking into the Ark.
The film was first released in South Africa on January 5, 2024, and in Brazil on November 7, 2024.
Contents
Plot
Tom and Vini are two mice who like to sing and play music. They eavesdrop on a conversation between Noah and God and realise that the Earth will be flooded. Tom and Vini try to board the ark that Noah and his family (Susanah, his granddaughter and Ruth, his wife) have prepared. But Noah refuses since both Tom and Vini are male. As all animal couples including Nina the female mouse are boarding the ship, Vini leaves despite Tom's protests, so that his friend can be saved. Vini is saved from drowning by Alfonso the Mexican cockroach and his insect crew sailing on a small boat.
The lion Baruk takes over the animal compartment with the help of several predators including a grizzly bear, a gorilla, a jaguar, two hyenas and two rattlesnakes. He bullies the other animals particularly the mice. During the voyage, Baruk and his gang cause a hole in the animal compartment, which allows Vini, Alfonso and the insects to enter the ship. Noah and his family repair the damaged hole.
After the rain stops, Noah sends Kilgore the swallow and Sonya the dove to search for dry land. They are aided by a pink humpback whale. Unwilling to take Baruk's bullying anymore, Tom and Vini propose a singing competition, with the winner leading the animals. Determined to remain on top of the pecking order, Baruk kidnaps Nina and forces Tom and Vini to sing while he lip syncs. With the help of Alfonso and the insects, the mice manage to free Nina from her prison.
Susanah stalls Baruk long enough for Tom and Vini to join Baruk on the stage. A freed Nina exposes Baruk's cheating, causing all the animals to turn against him. Shortly later, Kilgore and Sonya return with news that they have discovered dry land. As the ark approaches land, it begins to disintegrate. The animals and humans work together to evacuate the occupants before the ark sinks. The mice and the insects join the other animals and humans in landing on the shore.
Cast
Rodrigo Santoro as Vini
Marcelo Adnet as Tom
Alice Braga as Nina
Keith Silverstein as Baruk /Bob/Kangaroo
Ian James Corlett as Noah / Penguin
Luis Bermudez as Kilgore / God /Hyena #1 /Elephant / Guinea Pig / Woodpecker
Laila McCann as Susana
Debra Wilson as Ruth / Cow
Christopher Corey Smith as Alfonso
Triya Leong as Sonia / Babe
Rachel Butera as Mrs. Ferret / Mr. Ferret / Serpent #2 / Hyena #2 / Deer / Amy
Misty Lee, as Whale / Sheyla / Turkey
Rick Zieff as Serpent #1 / Rhinoceros / Badger
David Lodge as Gorilla / Peacock / Crocodile
Karen Strassman as Lioness / Jaguar / Giraffe
Mark Lewis as Billy Goat
Bill Rogers as Bear
Reception
Tom and Vini have been presented as evocations of Tom Jobim and Vinicius de Moraes.
A French review found the film mediocre.