Based on a book by Roald Dahl (CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY), this film from the eclectic director Nicolas Roeg (DON’T LOOK NOW) is very aware of how children view the things that go bump in the night. Kids see signs that make them certain that the supernatural is real.
Our hero Luke (Jasen Fisher, PARENTHOOD) has the added assurance that witches are real from the tales of his grandmother Helga (Mai Zetterling, TV’s MISS JULIE). Dahl’s story knows how to build real fear on a childlike level. Luke’s parents die, his grandma is sick and he runs into a witch while in his treehouse. This sets the mood for when Luke and his grandmother set off to England. In their hotel, the convention of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children is being held. Soon enough, Luke discovers that the convention is really for witches led by the Grand High Witch Miss Eva Ernst (Anjelica Huston, THE ROYAL TENEBAUMS). The witches, who loathe little children, plan to turn all the kids in England into mice and Luke becomes one of their victims.
The first half of the film serves as a chilling campfire tale. The second is an adventure, as the boy-mouse Luke must convince his grandmother who he is and then set out to stop the witches. Jim Henson oversaw the animatronic mice used in the film, which add to its whimsical joy. The movie rightfully puts Luke in the middle of the danger, which, unlike a lot of kids’ films, is real.
The picture is a fun ride back into youth that contains enough stuff for parents as well as kids. Adults will most likely appreciate the work of Rowan Atkinson (MR. BEAN) as the hotel manager. As well, both adults and kids will be entertained by Huston’s grand vamped performance as the Grand High Witch. This is the perfect film for families to sit down and watch on October 31.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
