Review
Grand Prix of Europe (Sports, Comedy, Adventure) (2025)
Director: Waldemar Fast
Writer: Kirstie Falkous, Jeffrey Hylton, John T. Reynolds, Ben Alexander Safier, Joe Vitale
Stars: Gemma Arterton, Thomas Brodie-Sangster, Hayley Atwell, Lenny Henry
Dreaming of an international racing career at the Grand Prix of Europe, a young mouse seizes her chance to step behind the wheel in her idol's place. This proves difficult, as one competitor secretly uses gadgets to sabotage the others in an attempt to win the whole competition.
To coincide with the 50th anniversary of the well-known Europa-Park, a theme park located in Rust, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. This feature by Waldemar Fast was directed from a script by a large team of writers and additional staff. The entire feature was produced by Michael Mack, who's part of the Mack family which owns the theme park and its additional properties. It was originally realised in the German language and also supports an English dub, the latter of which this review is based upon. It was produced by Mack Magic and Warner Bros. Film Productions Germany, and distributed in the United States and Canada by Warner Bros. Pictures and Viva Pictures.
Forever dreaming of a career as a race car driver, Edda (Gemma Arterton) is a young female mouse with ambitions larger than life, yet she works at her family's theme park. Following each race closely, she decides to go flyering for their theme park at the Grand Prix, hoping to attract enough visitors to make it through another season. There she causes quite a fuss, leading to a fated run-in with her hero Ed (Thomas Brodie-Sangster), who, due to Edda, is injured and cannot compete; the resulting deal allows her to briefly fulfil her dream, before those aspirations are undermined as another racer begins sabotaging each event with cruel gadgets, leaving Edda determined to investigate this turmoil even without help.
With “Grand Prix of Europe”, Waldemar Fast sets out to deliver an accessible and energetic sports animation, favouring forward motion over narrative complexity. That intent mirrors its young protagonist’s journey: moving quickly and clearly, with purpose to provide for others rather than ambition.
From the humble beginnings of her family’s theme park, Arterton’s Edda travels 
to the Grand Prix, doubts from her father in Lenny Henry’s Erwin and an initially dislikable role model in Brodie-Sangster’s Ed who both gradually warm to her as the narrative accelerates whether through development, or ambition. These familiar koala-like mice, based on the real-life Europa-Park mascots—speed through each European locale. The film quickly establishes itself as an underdog tale, driven by momentum rather than conflict. Family heritage, communal effort and determination guide decisive moves, such as a hairpin turn into a kind-hearted conclusion where good intentions outweigh confrontation with rule-breakers.
If the film’s intended audience was not already clarified through themes alone, it soon becomes plain through approach. Shaped around easy-to-follow storytelling and a likeable cast, fluidly going through diverse-enough landscapes emboldened by external factors rather than internal complication. It positions itself towards a younger audience which can understand and be guided explicitly. Favouring continuity in style, expectations remain the same, without having to extend to elaborate thoughts or complex character-driven drama. Any appearing conflict exists purely to create urgency, handled with care and deliberate intention, while subtext or concealed elements for parents remain light. This lack of narrative layering may read as flat, yet it remains consistent with a structure the film fully commits to.
Considering, as animation features are concerned, it serves a purpose all its own. In terms of the characters and thematics, these things fit; however, as it speeds towards the finale, it might slip off the track towards a conclusion with only surface-level depth and a straightforward narrative. Both sights, sounds and secondary characters are intended caricatures of Europe, which is surprisingly inoffensive. What "Grand Prix of Europe" manages is a capable, non-intrusive kids' film that sticks to its beliefs and does a decent job of it.
Verdict
Not reaching the podium, but it keeps the wheels turning.
6,5
