andover, 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 / Andover / South East
Find any Town in the UK, or Use UK map
Local Google MAP for Andover



User Control Panel

Not a Member? Sign Up!

Login or Register


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


Stats: Qlocal over 500,000 page views a month (google analytics)
andover Bathroom Suppliesandover Bathroom Tapsandover Bathroom Furnitureandover Bathroom Showersandover Shower Enclosuresandover Bathsandover L Shaped Bathandover P Shaped Bathandover Wet Roomsandover Bath Screensandover Bath Mixer Tapandover Bidet Tapsandover Toilet Seatsandover Sanitarywareandover Combined Toilet Basinandover Stovesandover Wood Stovesandover Home Stovesandover Cooker Stovesandover Enamel Stovesandover Designer Stovesandover Contemporary Stovesandover Multi Fuel Stovesandover Accounts Softwareandover Sage Softwareandover Sage Line 50andover Sage Line 200andover Pegasus Accountsandover Access Accountsandover Car Servicingandover MOTgandover Tyresandover Car Batteryandover Exhaustandover Journalist Jobsandover Reporter Jobsandover Writing Jobsandover Freelance Writerandover Self Employed Jobsandover Franchise Businessandover Franchise Opportunitiesandover Driving Schoolsandover Driving Lessonsandover Driving Testandover Driving Theory Testandover Driving Instruction, 0000 andover Driving Instructor, 0000 andover Insolvencyandover Insolvency Serviceandover Insolvency Servicesandover Liquidation Serviceandover Business Recoveryandover Insolvency Practitionerandover Bankruptcy Serviceandover Winding Up Petitionandover Business Financeandover Business Recoveryandover Voluntary Arrangementandover Individual Voluntary Arrangementandover IVAandover Debt Adviceandover Debt Managementandover Company Administrationandover Administrationandover Corporate Recoveryandover Corporate Voluntary Arrangementandover CVAandover Corporate Insolvencyandover Corporate Liquidationandover Members Voluntary Liquidationandover MVLandover Partnership Voluntary Arrangementandover PVAandover Tax Demandandover Invoice Financeandover Bridging Financeandover Vouchersandover Dealsandover Matalanandover Firewoodandover Fire Woodandover Kiln Dried Hardwoodandover Logs For Saleandover Log Suppliesandover Logsandover Firewood Logsandover Seasoned Logsandover Hardwood Logsandover Firewood Suppliersandover Firewood Log Suppliersandover Firewood Dumpy Bagsandover Firewood Cratesandover Cheap Firewoodandover Homefire Logsandover Cheap Firewood Logsandover Kindle Conesandover Pizza Oven Logsandover Heating Oilandover Home Heating Oilandover Red Dieselandover White Dieselandover Kereseneandover Commercial Fuelsandover Calor Gasandover Propane Gasandover Butane Gasandover Heating Gasandover Horse Trainingandover Horse Trainerandover Horse Whispererandover Equine Whispererandover Horse Whisperer Victoria Smithandover Rattan Garden Furnitureandover Rattan Furnitureandover Rattan Sofaandover Rattan Dining Setandover Rattan Directandover Cheap Rattan Furnitureandover Rattan Corner Sofasandover Rattan Day Bedsandover Rattan Sun Loungersandover Rattan Cube Setsandover Rattan Bistro Setsandover Chimeneasandover Firepitsandover Patio Heatersandover Card Payments Processingandover Credit Card Processingandover Merchant Servicesandover Merchant Accountandover Merchant Paymentsandover Card Machinesandover Card Terminalsandover Online Paymentsandover Worldpayandover Bouncy Castlesandover Bouncy Castle Hireandover Garden Trampolinesandover Pramsandover Pushchairsandover Strollersandover Hauck Pramsandover Huackandover Childrens Trampolinesandover Baby Mobilesandover Baby Activity Matsandover Baby Bedroom Furnitureandover Childrens Bedroom Furnitureandover Hygiene Vendingandover Washroom Vendingandover Air Freshenersandover Air Careandover Aerosol Systemsandover Gel Systemsandover Water Savingandover Urinal Water Savingandover Eco Capsandover Sensaflushandover Water Managementandover Urinal Dosingandover Urinal V Screensandover Legionella Risk Assessmentandover Legionaires Bacterialandover Odour Controlandover Odour Eliminationandover Odour Removalandover Airsterilandover Hand Careandover Hand Creamandover Hand Soapandover Hand Washingandover Hand Dryingandover Hand Dryersandover Electric Hand Dryersandover Fast Hand Dryersandover Commercial Hand Dryersandover Energy Efficient Hand Dryersandover Hand Dryer Rentalandover Hand Dryer Salesandover Paper Towelsandover Roller Towelsandover Cotton Roller Towelsandover Blue Roller Towelsandover White Roller Towelsandover Janitorial Suppliesandover Janitorialandover Cleaning Suppliesandover Cleaning Productsandover Cleaning Equipmentandover Office Cleaningandover Home Cleaningandover Debt Recovery Servicesandover Debt Recoveryandover Debt Collectionandover Outsource Credit Controlandover Collection Agencyandover Debt Collection Agencyandover Commercial Canopyandover Steel Canopyandover Bike Shedsandover Bike Storageandover Bicycle Storeandover Bicycle Storageandover Bikes Storeandover Bike Storeandover Outdoor Canopyandover Cycle Sheltersandover Cycle Shedandover Cycle Storageandover Cycle Rackandover Cycle Compoundandover Cycle Solutionsandover Scooter Storageandover Scooter Shelterandover Canopiesandover Canopyandover Play Area Canopyandover Entrance Canopiesandover Entrance Canopyandover Waiting Shelterandover Smoking Shelterandover Parent Waiting Shelterandover Parent Shelterandover Teen Shelterandover Nursery Canopyandover School Canopyandover Play Canopyandover Envirolawnandover Astroturfandover Cheap Astroturfandover Artificial Grassandover Cheap Artificial Grassandover Astro Turfandover Artificial Lawnandover Fake Grassandover Fake Lawnandover Fire Stove Glassandover Heat Resistant Glassandover Fire Glassandover Stove Glassandover Fire Resistant Glassandover Replacement Stove Glassandover Glass For Stovesandover Spill Kitsandover Spill Control Kitsandover Spill Kit Refillsandover Spill Kit Refill GK6andover Chemical Spill Kitsandover Oil Spill Kitsandover Solar Panelsandover Solar Panels Costandover Solar Heatingandover Solar PVandover Commercial Solarandover Photovoltaicandover Dust Matsandover Entrance Matsandover Reception Matsandover Anti Fatigue Matsandover Floor Matsandover Logo Matsandover Washroom Servicesandover Principal Washroomsandover Washrooms Suppliesandover Washrooms Solutionsandover Sanitary Disposalandover Sanitary Binsandover Sani Binsandover Lady Binsandover Feminine Hygiene Unitsandover Sanitary Waste Disposalandover Sanitary Wasteandover Sanitary Unitsandover Feminine Unitsandover Hygiene Servicesandover Sanitary Bin Supplierandover Sanitary Bin Rentalandover Sanitary Bin Rental Servicesandover General Wasteandover Trade Wasteandover Commercial Wasteandover Business Wasteandover Waste Managementandover Waste Collectionandover Cardboard Wasteandover Paper Wasteandover Plastic Wasteandover Glass Wasteandover Biomass Wasteandover Metal Wasteandover Confidential Wasteandover Confidential Waste Serviceandover On Site Shreddingandover Off Site Shreddingandover One Off Shreddingandover Contract Shreddingandover Dental Wasteandover Dental Waste Disposalandover Dental Waste Legislationandover Dental Waste Complianceandover Accupuncture Wasteandover Accupuncture Waste Disposalandover Accupuncture Waste Collectionandover Tattoo Wasteandover Tattoo Waste Disposalandover Sharps Binandover Sharps Collectionandover Hazardous Sharpsandover Non Hazardous Sharpsandover Cytotoxic Sharpsandover Cytostatic Sharpsandover Ink Blockandover Wet_Wasteandover Tattoo Inkandover Drug Destructionandover Drug Disposalandover Drug Denaturingandover Unwanted Drugsandover Out Of Date Drugsandover Pest Controlandover Rodent Controlandover Bird Controlandover Bird Proofingandover Guano Controlandover Pest Call Outandover Pest Preventionandover Pest Deterrentandover Nursery Wasteandover Nappy Wasteandover Nappy Binandover Nappy Disposalandover Nappy Wheelie Binandover Nursery Waste Disposalandover Nursery Waste Collectionandover Incontinence Padsandover Offensive Wasteandover Human Wasteandover Nursing Home Wasteandover Care Home Wasteandover Hazardous Wasteandover Infectous Wasteandover Pharmaceutical Wasteandover Medicinal Wasteandover Medicine Wasteandover Infection Controlandover Hand Sanitisersandover Clinical Waste Disposalandover Clinical Waste Managementandover Clinical Waste Policyandover EA Registrationandover Hammocksandover Garden Hammocksandover Adult Hammocksandover Childrens Hammocksandover Baby Hammocks