Film

Capture the Flag

Name: Capture the Flag
Genre: Comedy, Animation, Adventure, Family
Released: 2015
Cast: Carme Calvell, Michelle Jenner, Javier Balas, Dani Rovira, Camilo García

A Spanish animated adventure about a determined 12-year-old racing to the moon to stop a billionaire from destroying the Apollo 11 flag. It's a family film with heart, mixing comedy, space-age wonder, and genuine emotional stakes about legacy and family. Aimed at kids but with enough charm for adults who enjoy earnest, optimistic storytelling.

TMDb rating

3.0

Should you watch it?

Watch it if you want a bright, kid-sized caper with a grandfather in the mix and a chameleon sidekick, the kind of cheerful space romp that is happy to be silly and never tries to be more.

Skip it if animation this broad can feel thin if you want sly, layered jokes, since the gags aim squarely at young viewers and the stakes stay cartoonish.

What it asks of you: Ninety-odd minutes of brisk, bouncy escapades that move quickly and rarely pause, asking little more than a willingness to go along with the gags and the cosmic silliness.

Not sure? Find tonight's pick in a minute.

If you liked this

Fly Me to the Moon2008

A charming CGI adventure about houseflies hitching a ride to the moon alongside the Apollo 11 mission. Same blend of space-age wonder, kid-friendly humor, and surprising emotional depth wrapped in colorful animation.

But The humor skews very young, and the plot mechanics are thin even by family-film standards. If you need sophisticated comedy, this will feel slight.

Despicable Me2010

A supervillain origin story with genuine warmth, led by a gruff character learning to care about others. Both films balance comedy with sincere emotional arcs and feature protagonists on impossible missions with lovable sidekicks.

But It's aimed squarely at kids, so the humor lands on simple visual gags and catchphrases. Adult sensibilities will register some of this as very broad.

Big Hero 62014

A visually inventive animated adventure about a kid and misfit team fighting to save the day. Shares the earnest, optimistic tone and themes of family and loyalty, with genuinely funny moments and real emotional stakes.

But The villain's motivation is thin, and the film relies heavily on CGI spectacle over narrative innovation. Some will find it overstuffed and emotionally manipulative.

Not sure tonight? Get a pick in a minute, starting from Capture the Flag

The wildcard

Something you would not have found on your own.

Space Battleship Yamato 21992012

Both feature an ensemble cast on an impossible space mission with genuine emotional stakes and a belief that human determination and teamwork can overcome impossible odds. Where Capture the Flag is optimistic and light, Yamato is earnest and weighty—same thematic DNA, utterly different register.

A Japanese anime remake of a 1970s space opera following a military crew on a desperate mission to save Earth. Gorgeously animated, surprisingly sophisticated storytelling, and genuine stakes. It's space adventure treated seriously while remaining thrilling and fun.

But It's a 26-episode series requiring real commitment. Also anime, which means stylistic choices and pacing that Western viewers sometimes find alienating. Episode one is slow.

Treasure Planet2002

A criminally underrated adventure about a young protagonist and a gruff mentor figure on an impossible quest. Gorgeous animation, solid humor, and genuine heart about family and second chances. A true cult classic.

But It underperformed commercially and shows its age in places. Some animation hasn't aged gracefully, and the plot beats are familiar even if the execution is good.

The Lego Movie2014

A hyperactive, genuinely clever adventure with heart hidden beneath the toy-commercial premise. Balances relentless jokes with sincere emotion and features a team of misfits saving the world—very much Capture the Flag's spirit, just louder.

But The humor never stops firing, which exhausts some viewers. If you prefer subtlety or aren't amused by meta-comedy and pop-culture riffs, it's an assault.

Wreck-It Ralph2012

A video-game-world adventure about an unlikely hero learning self-worth and friendship. Bright, funny, with surprising emotional depth. The core story—misfit characters teaming up for an impossible mission—mirrors Capture the Flag's warmth.

But The game-world setting means the humor relies on references that don't age well. Also deeply sentimental in ways that can feel saccharine if you're resistant to it.

Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted2012

A colorful, energetic adventure with a ragtag team working together while bickering charmingly. Strong voice cast, genuinely clever moments mixed with silly ones, and surprisingly heartfelt under the chaos. Pure escapist fun.

But The plot is paper-thin, and the humor relies on absurdism and celebrity voices rather than wit. Many adults find it exhausting rather than entertaining.

Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted poster

How to Train Your Dragon2010

A beautifully animated adventure about an underdog kid proving himself and learning that allies can become family. Combines humor with genuine emotional stakes and features a protagonist on a mission to save his world. Soars.

But The second and third films overshadow it now. Also, the voice acting is workmanlike compared to the animation—some dialogue scenes feel perfunctory.

Monsters vs Aliens2009

A silly, colorful animated action-comedy about misfits teaming up to save Earth from an alien invasion. Fast-paced, genuinely funny, with solid voice acting and a warmth underneath the chaos. Perfect weekend viewing.

But It's very much a product of late-2000s DreamWorks—the humor and pop-culture references haven't aged gracefully. Some of the jokes land with a thud now.

The Right Stuff1983

Both revere the Apollo program and the flag on the moon as symbols of human achievement worth protecting. But where Capture the Flag sees it as something a kid and grandpa defend together, The Right Stuff shows the real cost and complexity of planting it there in the first place—they're inverse perspectives on the same historical moment.

A sprawling, magnificent epic about the American space program's early days, following the Mercury Seven astronauts. Thrilling, funny, moving, and visually stunning. Philip Kaufman's masterpiece about ambition, risk, and the drive to push boundaries.

But It's nearly four hours long and meanders structurally. Also deeply serious where Capture the Flag is playful—it's about real sacrifice and ego, not family reunions. Requires genuine investment.