SINGAPORE : “One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.”

Those were the words announced by Neil Armstrong after he took his first step on the moon, back in the year 1969.

It’s also reflective of the leaps taken in film animation, since Disney full-lengths such as “Sleeping Beauty”, “Bambi” and “Snow White” were first screened, to Pixar’s “The Incredibles” and “Finding Nemo”.

Now movie goers have another dimension to animation and a whole new cinematic experience to look forward to with “Fly Me to The Moon” by nWave Pictures .

This animated film made in Belgium is the first to be designed, created and released exclusively in 3-D.

You’re going to feel like Neo of “The Matrix” after donning the futuristic looking liquid crystal shutter glasses to experience the added dimensional effects which will have you believing you’re one of the flies buzzing around in “Fly Me to the Moon”.

The ground-breaking family adventure revolves around three tween-aged flies who set off on a courageous mission to become the first insects on the moon! They do this by hitching a ride on the historic Apollo 11 space flight.

Based on actual transcripts and original blueprints from NASA, the film offers stunning visuals and meticulous attention to detail.

It will no doubt introduce a whole new generation to the awe-inspiring achievements of the space programme’s most momentous mission.

Kids will love the realistic scenes that pop-out as they have fun interacting with the movie as they dodge from blades of grass and other obstacles in their path.

Unlike the motion-sickness feelings you get from watching IMAX movies at the Singapore Science Centre, this 3-D movie is a pretty safe and pleasurable ride for all.

Children and adults alike will also appreciate the light-hearted camaraderie between the adorable flies; go-getter Nat (voice by Trevor Gagnon), his smarty-pants brainy friend IQ (voiced by Philip Daniel Bolden) and Scooter (voiced by David Gore) whose mind is never far away from food and whose weight is the butt of most jokes.

Inspired by grandpa Amos (voice by Christopher Lloyd) with his oft-told tale of hiding aboard Amelia Earhart’s plane during her famed solo cross-Atlantic flight, Nat hatches a secret mission to boldly go where no fly has gone before - the moon.

Expect the usual close-calls such as baddies and engine malfunctions that threaten to thwart the plan.

Despite the simplistic plot and recycled jokes that really, should be swatted, there were real emotions at times that was commendable for a computer-animated film.

The icing for me was ‘witnessing’ a historic space exploration that brought out my geeky inclinations and childhood fantasies of being an astronaut!

As with all family-orientated movies, the essence of “Fly Me to the Moon” lies in its charming tale of friendship, steadfast support and love of kinship.

And of course, there’s the other message – that only way to reach your dreams is to spread your wings and take flight!

You can take-off come August 2008 when this heart-warming adventure is released in 3-D capable theatres such as Golden Village VivoCity and The Cathay.

- CNA/jk