Based on the trailers I was expecting a full-fledged fantasy film. Based on what I'd heard I expected an Americanised version of Narnia. As a result I thought I'd be sitting through something derivative, saccharine and just maybe entertaining enough to pass a while.
What I got was a wonderful, tenderhearted, unbridled, passionate film. Not a movie, a film.
The acting's not always the best, there are some moments of schmaltz and, yes, some of the issues are dealt with a little glibly, but the flaws are minor and easily forgiven. The depths of a child's imagination and the power it can give them should be rich grounds for storytellers and so it is here. It deals with life from the perspective of its barely teenage protagonists and it pulls no punches. I'm not going to talk about the script, I'd give too much away that you need to see to get the impact. Let's just say that you may well need hankies.
It's beautifuly shot, Weta have done their usual wonders with the effects and the leads are stunning. Josh Hutcherson and AnnaSophia Robb are outstanding whilst Zooey Deschanel goes a long way to wiping the stain of Hitchiker's Guide from her copybook, and both ladies contribute to the soundtrack, too.
There are comparisons to be made in this film, most notably with Pan's Labyrinth and certain passages from Beautiful Things, but only in how they utilise the power of imagination as held by their principals. I'm going back to see it again because Abby will love this film. That means I'll actually have to pay to see a film and there's not much I'll do that for these days. I haven't read the book, but I shall be.
Oh yeah, and I did shed a couple of tears.
Saturday, April 28, 2007
Ewe've all beaten me to it.
I've already seen too many posts about the Japanese folks taken in by the sheep scam to bother re-telling it here. I just want to join in the laughing at them and to add a sentiment to any of them asking for a refund.
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