Pet Pals and Marco Polo’s Code 2010

The Crow Witch hates Venice. Her vendetta goes back to a childhood accident when she fell into the lagoon during a magical experiment, an episode that sparked laughter among the witches and wizards who witnessed it. This long-standing grudge sets the stage for a high-stakes chase where ancient magic and modern desire collide, and the fate of a city famed for its canals hangs in the balance.

Now she has uncovered a Palace in the Himalayas that houses all the magic created by the Wizards of the Orient over the last five thousand years. Her plan is clear and cold: drain the lagoon and turn Venice into a generic metropolis, with roads where canals once curved and cars where gondolas once glided. It is a transformation that would erase the city’s unique character, and the stakes could not be higher for the people and creatures who call this place home.

There is only one line of defense: Marco Polo’s Code, which contains the instructions for finding and entering the Parallel Palace of Magic in Venice, a hidden sanctuary rumored to lie beneath the Rialto Bridge. In Marco Polo’s era, Venetian merchants who had ventured to China learned of the Palace of Magic in the Himalayas and built an exact replica beneath the lagoon, preserving the same spells so that the power could be wielded in two places at once. The keystone, given to Marco Polo by the Grand Khan, must be found to unlock the Code, and whispers place it in the Oasis of Kebab, in Asia Minor.

Holly, Monica Ward the kitten, is very busy doing a training course with the Chicago police; Diva, Laura Lenghi the brazen duckling, is conquering the catwalks of the Paris fashion shows, following her dream of becoming a top model; Top Hat the rabbit has found work as the bodyguard of a Hollywood star, while Pio, Gigi Rosa the aspiring actor, is auditioning for the reality show “Squid Brother,” only to be rejected because the only style he can swim is the frog stroke. These lively companions bring humor, warmth, and an every-day perspective to a mission that is anything but ordinary, grounding the adventure in character and camaraderie even as danger looms.

After a brief but adventurous detour through London to stock up on hi-tech gadgets, the Pet Pals set off in a Bond-like sprint toward the Oasis of Kebab, tipping from clue to clue with a blend of clever detective work and thrilling chases. The journey blends dazzling action with moments of clever puzzle-solving as they pieced together how to reach the keystone and, ultimately, Marco Polo’s Code. The atmosphere crackles with energy as they push through setbacks, unexpected plot twists, and close escapes, each step bringing them closer to a confrontation with a ruthless antagonist who would stop at nothing to realize her diabolical plan.

The race to save Venice becomes an all-out magic-filled showdown. Spells collide with strategy, and the odds tilt back and forth as the team uses wit, teamwork, and a touch of luck to counteract the Crow Witch’s formidable power. The story balances lighthearted humor with genuine peril, inviting audiences to cheer for the friends who know that greatness often comes with a price—and that a city’s soul can endure only if its guardians persevere.

In the end, the film delivers a richly animated, high-spirited triumph that celebrates friendship, curiosity, and courage in the face of overwhelming odds. The beauty of Venice, the wonder of ancient magic, and the ingenuity of a determined band of companions come together in a finale that honors the power of collaboration. The movie was recognized with the Kinèo Movie Diamond Award in Best Animation at the 68th Venice International Film Festival, a testament to its inventive visuals, vibrant characters, and the joyful energy that carries the story from start to finish. The magic-filled battle to protect Venice is not just a clash of spells; it’s a celebration of city, story, and the fearless hearts of those who refuse to let a beloved home fade into the ordinary.