The Wasteland Reviewer

Grand Prix of Europe (2025) Written Review

What would you do to make sure you got a shot at your dream? This is a timeless theme and tale of going for your dreams and shooting your shot. Unfortunately, society can get in the way of such a dream. The story at the heart of Grand Prix of Europe is one of a young woman attempting to live out her dream of being a race car driver. But there is a catch! She must disguise herself as her idol to get that opportunity and save her father’s carnival back home. Off to the races with this new Viva Pictures animated effort! 

How does Grande Prix of Europe size up to the other major studios in animation? Not quite. The characters are an interesting mix of uneven detail and lean into a more cartoony and less realistic visualization. There are certainly plenty of moments that look like overly simplified and lower quality animation, but it is hard to argue that those racing scenes don’t hit. So much of the 3D animation resources are put into these big, exciting, and thrilling races at the heart of the film. When those action sequences begin, you know you are in for the best parts of the film. The pacing is fine even if the narrative does get a bit repetitive. The music and pacing are high energy and give this film a zippy kid pace which gets you across that finish line quickly. This is not the deepest of animated features (especially this year) but it has its charming moments. 

Does having eleven individuals attached to the writing end of things affect the overall effectiveness of the film? Grand Prix of Europe is not a complex enough story to warrant so many cooks in this filmmaking kitchen. The themes are simple and universal which gives the film the opportunity to hit the audience with something meaningful (which is semi-successful). There are plenty of cliches and tropes that are leaned on to bring this familiar underdog sports movie story to life. The film shows some interesting swings with Edda (our protagonist). She tries to save her father from the dangers of owing money to the wrong people (which feels a little out of tone for this type of kids’ movie). Many of the characters and humor are written for the lowest common denominator…the children, which does leave some of the elements struggling to connect with the adult audience members. This story has some clear elements it is trying to lampshade as well which leaves little wonder to such a film. 

Does the voice cast (for the English version at least) bring the goods? These roles are not the deepest nor do they warrant the most complex or committed voice work. Gemme Arterton is charming enough as Edda who is a strong willed and driven young woman. Her counterpart is Ed, the hero of hers that needs to be replaced in these big races. Thomas Brodie-Sangster has the right amount of arrogance and attitude in his vocal performance to bring this character to life. Hayley Atwell (a welcomed addition to any cast) holds the crew down as the leader of Ed’s crew. The rest of the cast might not be the most recognizable names, but they do a solid job bringing these caricatures to life in the film. Most of the characters are defined by a trait or two and the professional voice actors who fill out the rest of the cast do a fine job channeling the intimidation, silliness, or quirkiness of these other characters.

Does Grand Prix of Europe offer up an exciting and fun romp on the racetrack? There are some elements to this film that are quite entertaining. The racing sequences are fun and honestly a bit creative. There are a good heart and soul at the core of the film. The voice cast does a fine job all around. This might not be the most vibrant animated world out there. The story might not be the freshest or most dynamic. The laughs certainly aim for a much younger demographic. But this is some rock-solid entertainment for the whole family.