We continue our series of reviews chronicling all of the (non-Studio Ghibli) animated films distributed by GKIDS Films — some of the most original and breathtakingly beautiful animated films from around the world — and how they hold up for a young American audience.

The entire retrospective is found here, and this time we’ve got…

Satellite Girl and Milk Cow (2014): Hyeong-yoon Jang, director

What’s it about?

A satellite whose purpose was to keep an “eye” on the Korean peninsula has long since gone out of commission. It’s basically an orbiting piece of junk, but it’s somehow become self-aware enough to narrate the film. Though it’s outlived its usefulness, it happens to pick up the sound of a lovesick young man singing a ballad at an open-mic night. Because of course.

Captivated, it slowly enters the atmosphere and descends to Earth. Along the way, it transforms into the body of a young girl, but it has retained some of its more satellite-like qualities. She speaks in monotone and has very little sense of human emotions – and, oh yeah, she has rocket-firing feet and can launch her hands like missiles.

Satellite Girl is bent on finding the source of the song she heard while in orbit – and finds him relatively easily, all things considered. However, as soon as they meet, the boy is transformed into a cow. Which apparently is a common thing in this world. There are other people who have met similar fates and become various farm animals.

Satellite Girl isn’t going to let something like turning into a cow prevent her from learning about love firsthand, though. With the help of Merlin the magician (who for some reason is a neverending roll of toilet paper), the two must fight off a giant evil incinerator and escape a bounty hunter who steals animals’ livers with a magical toilet plunger.

It’s an acquired taste.

What are the cultures at play? And how about the languages?

This is a Korean film, and the Blu-ray comes with both the original Korean audio and an English dub. You certainly don’t need to know anything about Korean culture to understand the “plot” here. The film originally came out in 2014 but was only released by GKIDS this year (2018).

Will my kids like it?

Maybe? The story mostly feels like it was written by a hyperactive 6-year-old, so it might appeal to the bathroom humor and inner non sequiturs that drive most kids. I have to be honest and say that this one didn’t go over well with my own kids. My son (6) lasted about halfway through and then left the room to do something else. My daughter (9) stuck with it until the end but readily admits it made no sense to her, and she has no interest in ever seeing it again.

Will I like it?

Eh, probably not. It pains me to say that, but if you’re familiar with and like other GKIDS films, I should warn you that this one is way out in left field. The animation is gorgeous, yes, but don’t let that fool you. This isn’t Studio Ghibli, even though the character designs might look like it. The script feels like it was written by a group of kids each trying to one up the others. (“What if we have a talking cow?” “Yes! But he’s friends with a walking, talking roll of toilet paper!” “And the TIP is actually Merlin!” “Yes!!”) However, if you’re a fan of irreverent storytelling, a little bit of bathroom humor, and unique perspectives, don’t let me stop you. The animation IS beautiful, so it has that going for it. And it’s certainly not a film you’ll soon forget.

Is there anything objectionable for young kids?

Not really. I mean, it’s essentially a love story between a cow and a robot. There’s one scene where Satellite Girl tries to milk the cow while he’s standing up. The scene has an embarrassed sexual undertone, which is beyond creepy, and it was that scene that’s lingered longest in my daughter’s memory. Beyond that (and some poop jokes at Toilet Paper Merlin’s expense), there’s nothing really objectionable.

How can I see it?

The film is available on Blu-ray and DVD and can be ordered from the usual places, including Amazon. Special features to the Blu-ray are slim and include a few trailers and a short film from the same director (that also has a wackadoo out-there concept), Coffee Vending Machine and Its Sword. It’s about a samurai who turns into a coffee vending machine and his encounter with a drunk woman.

Final word?

I really don’t want to give a negative verdict for Satellite Girl and Milk Cow. It pains me to steer anyone clear of a GKIDS film. However, if you go into the film with an understanding of what it is, then you might enjoy it. We went into it knowing nothing, and it just didn’t connect with us. Give a shot; you may think it’s brilliant and that I missed the entire point.