ashington, 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 / Ashington / North East
Find any Town in the UK, or Use UK map
Local Google MAP for Ashington



User Control Panel

Not a Member? Sign Up!

Login or Register


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


Stats: Qlocal over 500,000 page views a month (google analytics)
ashington Bathroom Suppliesashington Bathroom Tapsashington Bathroom Furnitureashington Bathroom Showersashington Shower Enclosuresashington Bathsashington L Shaped Bathashington P Shaped Bathashington Wet Roomsashington Bath Screensashington Bath Mixer Tapashington Bidet Tapsashington Toilet Seatsashington Sanitarywareashington Combined Toilet Basinashington Stovesashington Wood Stovesashington Home Stovesashington Cooker Stovesashington Enamel Stovesashington Designer Stovesashington Contemporary Stovesashington Multi Fuel Stovesashington Accounts Softwareashington Sage Softwareashington Sage Line 50ashington Sage Line 200ashington Pegasus Accountsashington Access Accountsashington Car Servicingashington MOTgashington Tyresashington Car Batteryashington Exhaustashington Journalist Jobsashington Reporter Jobsashington Writing Jobsashington Freelance Writerashington Self Employed Jobsashington Franchise Businessashington Franchise Opportunitiesashington Driving Schoolsashington Driving Lessonsashington Driving Testashington Driving Theory Testashington Driving Instruction, 0000 ashington Driving Instructor, 0000 ashington Insolvencyashington Insolvency Serviceashington Insolvency Servicesashington Liquidation Serviceashington Business Recoveryashington Insolvency Practitionerashington Bankruptcy Serviceashington Winding Up Petitionashington Business Financeashington Business Recoveryashington Voluntary Arrangementashington Individual Voluntary Arrangementashington IVAashington Debt Adviceashington Debt Managementashington Company Administrationashington Administrationashington Corporate Recoveryashington Corporate Voluntary Arrangementashington CVAashington Corporate Insolvencyashington Corporate Liquidationashington Members Voluntary Liquidationashington MVLashington Partnership Voluntary Arrangementashington PVAashington Tax Demandashington Invoice Financeashington Bridging Financeashington Vouchersashington Dealsashington Matalanashington Firewoodashington Fire Woodashington Kiln Dried Hardwoodashington Logs For Saleashington Log Suppliesashington Logsashington Firewood Logsashington Seasoned Logsashington Hardwood Logsashington Firewood Suppliersashington Firewood Log Suppliersashington Firewood Dumpy Bagsashington Firewood Cratesashington Cheap Firewoodashington Homefire Logsashington Cheap Firewood Logsashington Kindle Conesashington Pizza Oven Logsashington Heating Oilashington Home Heating Oilashington Red Dieselashington White Dieselashington Kereseneashington Commercial Fuelsashington Calor Gasashington Propane Gasashington Butane Gasashington Heating Gasashington Horse Trainingashington Horse Trainerashington Horse Whispererashington Equine Whispererashington Horse Whisperer Victoria Smithashington Rattan Garden Furnitureashington Rattan Furnitureashington Rattan Sofaashington Rattan Dining Setashington Rattan Directashington Cheap Rattan Furnitureashington Rattan Corner Sofasashington Rattan Day Bedsashington Rattan Sun Loungersashington Rattan Cube Setsashington Rattan Bistro Setsashington Chimeneasashington Firepitsashington Patio Heatersashington Card Payments Processingashington Credit Card Processingashington Merchant Servicesashington Merchant Accountashington Merchant Paymentsashington Card Machinesashington Card Terminalsashington Online Paymentsashington Worldpayashington Bouncy Castlesashington Bouncy Castle Hireashington Garden Trampolinesashington Pramsashington Pushchairsashington Strollersashington Hauck Pramsashington Huackashington Childrens Trampolinesashington Baby Mobilesashington Baby Activity Matsashington Baby Bedroom Furnitureashington Childrens Bedroom Furnitureashington Hygiene Vendingashington Washroom Vendingashington Air Freshenersashington Air Careashington Aerosol Systemsashington Gel Systemsashington Water Savingashington Urinal Water Savingashington Eco Capsashington Sensaflushashington Water Managementashington Urinal Dosingashington Urinal V Screensashington Legionella Risk Assessmentashington Legionaires Bacterialashington Odour Controlashington Odour Eliminationashington Odour Removalashington Airsterilashington Hand Careashington Hand Creamashington Hand Soapashington Hand Washingashington Hand Dryingashington Hand Dryersashington Electric Hand Dryersashington Fast Hand Dryersashington Commercial Hand Dryersashington Energy Efficient Hand Dryersashington Hand Dryer Rentalashington Hand Dryer Salesashington Paper Towelsashington Roller Towelsashington Cotton Roller Towelsashington Blue Roller Towelsashington White Roller Towelsashington Janitorial Suppliesashington Janitorialashington Cleaning Suppliesashington Cleaning Productsashington Cleaning Equipmentashington Office Cleaningashington Home Cleaningashington Debt Recovery Servicesashington Debt Recoveryashington Debt Collectionashington Outsource Credit Controlashington Collection Agencyashington Debt Collection Agencyashington Commercial Canopyashington Steel Canopyashington Bike Shedsashington Bike Storageashington Bicycle Storeashington Bicycle Storageashington Bikes Storeashington Bike Storeashington Outdoor Canopyashington Cycle Sheltersashington Cycle Shedashington Cycle Storageashington Cycle Rackashington Cycle Compoundashington Cycle Solutionsashington Scooter Storageashington Scooter Shelterashington Canopiesashington Canopyashington Play Area Canopyashington Entrance Canopiesashington Entrance Canopyashington Waiting Shelterashington Smoking Shelterashington Parent Waiting Shelterashington Parent Shelterashington Teen Shelterashington Nursery Canopyashington School Canopyashington Play Canopyashington Envirolawnashington Astroturfashington Cheap Astroturfashington Artificial Grassashington Cheap Artificial Grassashington Astro Turfashington Artificial Lawnashington Fake Grassashington Fake Lawnashington Fire Stove Glassashington Heat Resistant Glassashington Fire Glassashington Stove Glassashington Fire Resistant Glassashington Replacement Stove Glassashington Glass For Stovesashington Spill Kitsashington Spill Control Kitsashington Spill Kit Refillsashington Spill Kit Refill GK6ashington Chemical Spill Kitsashington Oil Spill Kitsashington Solar Panelsashington Solar Panels Costashington Solar Heatingashington Solar PVashington Commercial Solarashington Photovoltaicashington Dust Matsashington Entrance Matsashington Reception Matsashington Anti Fatigue Matsashington Floor Matsashington Logo Matsashington Washroom Servicesashington Principal Washroomsashington Washrooms Suppliesashington Washrooms Solutionsashington Sanitary Disposalashington Sanitary Binsashington Sani Binsashington Lady Binsashington Feminine Hygiene Unitsashington Sanitary Waste Disposalashington Sanitary Wasteashington Sanitary Unitsashington Feminine Unitsashington Hygiene Servicesashington Sanitary Bin Supplierashington Sanitary Bin Rentalashington Sanitary Bin Rental Servicesashington General Wasteashington Trade Wasteashington Commercial Wasteashington Business Wasteashington Waste Managementashington Waste Collectionashington Cardboard Wasteashington Paper Wasteashington Plastic Wasteashington Glass Wasteashington Biomass Wasteashington Metal Wasteashington Confidential Wasteashington Confidential Waste Serviceashington On Site Shreddingashington Off Site Shreddingashington One Off Shreddingashington Contract Shreddingashington Dental Wasteashington Dental Waste Disposalashington Dental Waste Legislationashington Dental Waste Complianceashington Accupuncture Wasteashington Accupuncture Waste Disposalashington Accupuncture Waste Collectionashington Tattoo Wasteashington Tattoo Waste Disposalashington Sharps Binashington Sharps Collectionashington Hazardous Sharpsashington Non Hazardous Sharpsashington Cytotoxic Sharpsashington Cytostatic Sharpsashington Ink Blockashington Wet_Wasteashington Tattoo Inkashington Drug Destructionashington Drug Disposalashington Drug Denaturingashington Unwanted Drugsashington Out Of Date Drugsashington Pest Controlashington Rodent Controlashington Bird Controlashington Bird Proofingashington Guano Controlashington Pest Call Outashington Pest Preventionashington Pest Deterrentashington Nursery Wasteashington Nappy Wasteashington Nappy Binashington Nappy Disposalashington Nappy Wheelie Binashington Nursery Waste Disposalashington Nursery Waste Collectionashington Incontinence Padsashington Offensive Wasteashington Human Wasteashington Nursing Home Wasteashington Care Home Wasteashington Hazardous Wasteashington Infectous Wasteashington Pharmaceutical Wasteashington Medicinal Wasteashington Medicine Wasteashington Infection Controlashington Hand Sanitisersashington Clinical Waste Disposalashington Clinical Waste Managementashington Clinical Waste Policyashington EA Registrationashington Hammocksashington Garden Hammocksashington Adult Hammocksashington Childrens Hammocksashington Baby Hammocks