aberdeen, Local Online News Community, Forums, Chats, For Sale, Classified, Offers, Film Reviews, Events, Motors Sale, Property For Sale Rent, Jobs, Hotels, Taxi, Restaurants, Pubs, Clubs, Pictures, Sports, Charities, Lost Found
  1. Published on: 26/03/2018 07:49 PMReported by: Film Critic
    Plot: After her father disappearing, a young girl along with her younger brother, a friend and three peculiar beings travel through space and time to find him.

    While it has been getting A LOT of promotion in America, I don't think many people here in the UK are as excited or aware of this latest Disney product based on the successful book.

    I'm not much of a book reader. But I have heard this story has been labelled as unfilmable. Whenever I hear that, I always hark back to Cloud Atlas. That film in my opinion ended up being one of the greatest films of all-time. So with Ava DuVernay being director, I do have some expectations of this being a highly memorable watch.

    This is a really strange one to review. There is so much to admire, and yet very little to get invested in. It starts off with some promise. But when the fantasy element enters the arena, the execution of it just felt wrong. One big reason was the characters reaction to certain things. It just did not make sense. You would naturally be shocked or mesmerized. But instead they just reacted as if they had seen that sort of thing before, and just carried on.

    The rest of the film continues that streak on impressive things happening on screen, but lacking that impact for the audience to experience themselves. There's a lot of minor similarities I noticed to films like The Wizard Of Oz, The Spiderwick Chronicles, Tomorrowland: A World Beyond, Labyrinth, The Neverending Story and even The Lady In The Water.

    I think if you can stick with it and commit to it as much as you can, I think you can enjoy the strong finish it has. Many of the films shining moments were in the final act. But I don't think it was enough to ignore its problems in the build-up.

    There's a nice mix of experienced and brand new in this cast. Storm Reid was a pretty solid lead for the most part. She seemed to handle the emotional parts of the story well, but not with the surprise fantasy moments. I don't know if that was bad directing as the stuff she was reacting strangley to was CGI based, and therefore she is seeing nothing. That being said, I saw great potential in her and I hope she gets more opportunities.

    Deric McCabe was a real star in this for me, especially in the final act. He showed surprisingly great range and was an interesting character to watch. With all of this coming from someone who is aged nine, I think he could be a strong child actor for the next few years.

    There was some nice performances from minor roles played by Reese Witherspoon and Chris Pine. Witherspoon has still got it for me. She felt very committed to her role and was almost channeling Elle Woods from Legally Blonde. As for Pine, I feel he is a super under-rated actor. People will know him from Star Trek, and not much else. It is a shame he is not used for a lot of projects, as I think he is terrific actor, particularly for blockbusters and in this one.

    I thought Zach Galifiankis and Michael Pena had some nice moments in their short time on screen. Sadly I felt Oprah Winfrey, Mindy Kaling and Levi Miller were either underwhelming or under-used.

    There are quite a lot of striking visuals throughout, which was helped with with the cinematography. But there were times you could tell they were in front of a green screen, which kind of made it look hokey at times. The gorgeous location choices of New Zealand was a top choice also.

    There is certainly a lot to be intrigued about this one. You can see a great film in here. I was impressed with what was happening on screen and there are many touching moments. But something was missing from making me caring or getting wrapped up in the story. It seemed to lack that punch to make this impactful viewing. I felt like I was watching this from afar, rather than feeling like I was getting involved. There were also many jumbled portions of the film, particularly in the middle.

    I think it was a combination of story-telling and writing that prevented this from being a strong piece of entertainment and making sense of everything that was happening.

    Also I'm not sure if kids will fully appreciate this. I think certain kids that will get the most from this are fans of the book, and kids that are high in their creativity and imagination.

    They really aimed high with this. But it just didn't quite work. So to call it an honorable failure would be a fair conclusion. But respect goes to Ava DuVernay and her team for this project.

    I wouldn't be surprised if this becomes a cult hit though, as I can see kids from this generation praise this as they get older. A bit like Return To Oz from the 80's or Hook or A Goofy Movie from the 90's.

    Rating: 6/10
     

  2. Your Comments:



You are in: UK / Aberdeen / Scotland
Find any Town in the UK, or Use UK map
Local Google MAP for Aberdeen
Tide Predictions from NTSLF.ORG



User Control Panel

Not a Member? Sign Up!

Login or Register


Film Reviews, Last Cinema Movies, Movies, DVDs
aberdeenaberdeen News


Stats: Qlocal over 500,000 page views a month (google analytics)
aberdeen Bathroom Suppliesaberdeen Bathroom Tapsaberdeen Bathroom Furnitureaberdeen Bathroom Showersaberdeen Shower Enclosuresaberdeen Bathsaberdeen L Shaped Bathaberdeen P Shaped Bathaberdeen Wet Roomsaberdeen Bath Screensaberdeen Bath Mixer Tapaberdeen Bidet Tapsaberdeen Toilet Seatsaberdeen Sanitarywareaberdeen Combined Toilet Basinaberdeen Stovesaberdeen Wood Stovesaberdeen Home Stovesaberdeen Cooker Stovesaberdeen Enamel Stovesaberdeen Designer Stovesaberdeen Contemporary Stovesaberdeen Multi Fuel Stovesaberdeen Accounts Softwareaberdeen Sage Softwareaberdeen Sage Line 50aberdeen Sage Line 200aberdeen Pegasus Accountsaberdeen Access Accountsaberdeen Car Servicingaberdeen MOTgaberdeen Tyresaberdeen Car Batteryaberdeen Exhaustaberdeen Journalist Jobsaberdeen Reporter Jobsaberdeen Writing Jobsaberdeen Freelance Writeraberdeen Self Employed Jobsaberdeen Franchise Businessaberdeen Franchise Opportunitiesaberdeen Driving Schoolsaberdeen Driving Lessonsaberdeen Driving Testaberdeen Driving Theory Testaberdeen Driving Instruction, 0000 aberdeen Driving Instructor, 0000 aberdeen Insolvencyaberdeen Insolvency Serviceaberdeen Insolvency Servicesaberdeen Liquidation Serviceaberdeen Business Recoveryaberdeen Insolvency Practitioneraberdeen Bankruptcy Serviceaberdeen Winding Up Petitionaberdeen Business Financeaberdeen Business Recoveryaberdeen Voluntary Arrangementaberdeen Individual Voluntary Arrangementaberdeen IVAaberdeen Debt Adviceaberdeen Debt Managementaberdeen Company Administrationaberdeen Administrationaberdeen Corporate Recoveryaberdeen Corporate Voluntary Arrangementaberdeen CVAaberdeen Corporate Insolvencyaberdeen Corporate Liquidationaberdeen Members Voluntary Liquidationaberdeen MVLaberdeen Partnership Voluntary Arrangementaberdeen PVAaberdeen Tax Demandaberdeen Invoice Financeaberdeen Bridging Financeaberdeen Vouchersaberdeen Dealsaberdeen Matalanaberdeen Firewoodaberdeen Fire Woodaberdeen Kiln Dried Hardwoodaberdeen Logs For Saleaberdeen Log Suppliesaberdeen Logsaberdeen Firewood Logsaberdeen Seasoned Logsaberdeen Hardwood Logsaberdeen Firewood Suppliersaberdeen Firewood Log Suppliersaberdeen Firewood Dumpy Bagsaberdeen Firewood Cratesaberdeen Cheap Firewoodaberdeen Homefire Logsaberdeen Cheap Firewood Logsaberdeen Kindle Conesaberdeen Pizza Oven Logsaberdeen Heating Oilaberdeen Home Heating Oilaberdeen Red Dieselaberdeen White Dieselaberdeen Kereseneaberdeen Commercial Fuelsaberdeen Calor Gasaberdeen Propane Gasaberdeen Butane Gasaberdeen Heating Gasaberdeen Horse Trainingaberdeen Horse Traineraberdeen Horse Whispereraberdeen Equine Whispereraberdeen Horse Whisperer Victoria Smithaberdeen Rattan Garden Furnitureaberdeen Rattan Furnitureaberdeen Rattan Sofaaberdeen Rattan Dining Setaberdeen Rattan Directaberdeen Cheap Rattan Furnitureaberdeen Rattan Corner Sofasaberdeen Rattan Day Bedsaberdeen Rattan Sun Loungersaberdeen Rattan Cube Setsaberdeen Rattan Bistro Setsaberdeen Chimeneasaberdeen Firepitsaberdeen Patio Heatersaberdeen Card Payments Processingaberdeen Credit Card Processingaberdeen Merchant Servicesaberdeen Merchant Accountaberdeen Merchant Paymentsaberdeen Card Machinesaberdeen Card Terminalsaberdeen Online Paymentsaberdeen Worldpayaberdeen Bouncy Castlesaberdeen Bouncy Castle Hireaberdeen Garden Trampolinesaberdeen Pramsaberdeen Pushchairsaberdeen Strollersaberdeen Hauck Pramsaberdeen Huackaberdeen Childrens Trampolinesaberdeen Baby Mobilesaberdeen Baby Activity Matsaberdeen Baby Bedroom Furnitureaberdeen Childrens Bedroom Furnitureaberdeen Hygiene Vendingaberdeen Washroom Vendingaberdeen Air Freshenersaberdeen Air Careaberdeen Aerosol Systemsaberdeen Gel Systemsaberdeen Water Savingaberdeen Urinal Water Savingaberdeen Eco Capsaberdeen Sensaflushaberdeen Water Managementaberdeen Urinal Dosingaberdeen Urinal V Screensaberdeen Legionella Risk Assessmentaberdeen Legionaires Bacterialaberdeen Odour Controlaberdeen Odour Eliminationaberdeen Odour Removalaberdeen Airsterilaberdeen Hand Careaberdeen Hand Creamaberdeen Hand Soapaberdeen Hand Washingaberdeen Hand Dryingaberdeen Hand Dryersaberdeen Electric Hand Dryersaberdeen Fast Hand Dryersaberdeen Commercial Hand Dryersaberdeen Energy Efficient Hand Dryersaberdeen Hand Dryer Rentalaberdeen Hand Dryer Salesaberdeen Paper Towelsaberdeen Roller Towelsaberdeen Cotton Roller Towelsaberdeen Blue Roller Towelsaberdeen White Roller Towelsaberdeen Janitorial Suppliesaberdeen Janitorialaberdeen Cleaning Suppliesaberdeen Cleaning Productsaberdeen Cleaning Equipmentaberdeen Office Cleaningaberdeen Home Cleaningaberdeen Debt Recovery Servicesaberdeen Debt Recoveryaberdeen Debt Collectionaberdeen Outsource Credit Controlaberdeen Collection Agencyaberdeen Debt Collection Agencyaberdeen Commercial Canopyaberdeen Steel Canopyaberdeen Bike Shedsaberdeen Bike Storageaberdeen Bicycle Storeaberdeen Bicycle Storageaberdeen Bikes Storeaberdeen Bike Storeaberdeen Outdoor Canopyaberdeen Cycle Sheltersaberdeen Cycle Shedaberdeen Cycle Storageaberdeen Cycle Rackaberdeen Cycle Compoundaberdeen Cycle Solutionsaberdeen Scooter Storageaberdeen Scooter Shelteraberdeen Canopiesaberdeen Canopyaberdeen Play Area Canopyaberdeen Entrance Canopiesaberdeen Entrance Canopyaberdeen Waiting Shelteraberdeen Smoking Shelteraberdeen Parent Waiting Shelteraberdeen Parent Shelteraberdeen Teen Shelteraberdeen Nursery Canopyaberdeen School Canopyaberdeen Play Canopyaberdeen Envirolawnaberdeen Astroturfaberdeen Cheap Astroturfaberdeen Artificial Grassaberdeen Cheap Artificial Grassaberdeen Astro Turfaberdeen Artificial Lawnaberdeen Fake Grassaberdeen Fake Lawnaberdeen Fire Stove Glassaberdeen Heat Resistant Glassaberdeen Fire Glassaberdeen Stove Glassaberdeen Fire Resistant Glassaberdeen Replacement Stove Glassaberdeen Glass For Stovesaberdeen Spill Kitsaberdeen Spill Control Kitsaberdeen Spill Kit Refillsaberdeen Spill Kit Refill GK6aberdeen Chemical Spill Kitsaberdeen Oil Spill Kitsaberdeen Solar Panelsaberdeen Solar Panels Costaberdeen Solar Heatingaberdeen Solar PVaberdeen Commercial Solaraberdeen Photovoltaicaberdeen Dust Matsaberdeen Entrance Matsaberdeen Reception Matsaberdeen Anti Fatigue Matsaberdeen Floor Matsaberdeen Logo Matsaberdeen Washroom Servicesaberdeen Principal Washroomsaberdeen Washrooms Suppliesaberdeen Washrooms Solutionsaberdeen Sanitary Disposalaberdeen Sanitary Binsaberdeen Sani Binsaberdeen Lady Binsaberdeen Feminine Hygiene Unitsaberdeen Sanitary Waste Disposalaberdeen Sanitary Wasteaberdeen Sanitary Unitsaberdeen Feminine Unitsaberdeen Hygiene Servicesaberdeen Sanitary Bin Supplieraberdeen Sanitary Bin Rentalaberdeen Sanitary Bin Rental Servicesaberdeen General Wasteaberdeen Trade Wasteaberdeen Commercial Wasteaberdeen Business Wasteaberdeen Waste Managementaberdeen Waste Collectionaberdeen Cardboard Wasteaberdeen Paper Wasteaberdeen Plastic Wasteaberdeen Glass Wasteaberdeen Biomass Wasteaberdeen Metal Wasteaberdeen Confidential Wasteaberdeen Confidential Waste Serviceaberdeen On Site Shreddingaberdeen Off Site Shreddingaberdeen One Off Shreddingaberdeen Contract Shreddingaberdeen Dental Wasteaberdeen Dental Waste Disposalaberdeen Dental Waste Legislationaberdeen Dental Waste Complianceaberdeen Accupuncture Wasteaberdeen Accupuncture Waste Disposalaberdeen Accupuncture Waste Collectionaberdeen Tattoo Wasteaberdeen Tattoo Waste Disposalaberdeen Sharps Binaberdeen Sharps Collectionaberdeen Hazardous Sharpsaberdeen Non Hazardous Sharpsaberdeen Cytotoxic Sharpsaberdeen Cytostatic Sharpsaberdeen Ink Blockaberdeen Wet_Wasteaberdeen Tattoo Inkaberdeen Drug Destructionaberdeen Drug Disposalaberdeen Drug Denaturingaberdeen Unwanted Drugsaberdeen Out Of Date Drugsaberdeen Pest Controlaberdeen Rodent Controlaberdeen Bird Controlaberdeen Bird Proofingaberdeen Guano Controlaberdeen Pest Call Outaberdeen Pest Preventionaberdeen Pest Deterrentaberdeen Nursery Wasteaberdeen Nappy Wasteaberdeen Nappy Binaberdeen Nappy Disposalaberdeen Nappy Wheelie Binaberdeen Nursery Waste Disposalaberdeen Nursery Waste Collectionaberdeen Incontinence Padsaberdeen Offensive Wasteaberdeen Human Wasteaberdeen Nursing Home Wasteaberdeen Care Home Wasteaberdeen Hazardous Wasteaberdeen Infectous Wasteaberdeen Pharmaceutical Wasteaberdeen Medicinal Wasteaberdeen Medicine Wasteaberdeen Infection Controlaberdeen Hand Sanitisersaberdeen Clinical Waste Disposalaberdeen Clinical Waste Managementaberdeen Clinical Waste Policyaberdeen EA Registrationaberdeen Hammocksaberdeen Garden Hammocksaberdeen Adult Hammocksaberdeen Childrens Hammocksaberdeen Baby Hammocks