The Witches

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source: The Witches

Young boy and his wily grandmother (a surprisingly comfortable and energetic Mai Zetterling) vacation at a seaside resort and soon discover it is beset by child-hating witches. The almost-improbable screen-teaming of director Nicolas Roeg, writer Roald Dahl and effects wizard/puppeteer Jim Henson results in a predictably garish, uneven, occasionally off-putting venture which may actually intrigue grown-ups more so than kids. Some intense and amusing sequences stand out, as does Anjelica Huston's performance as the leader of the witches. Remarkable effects, a very interesting and colorful attempt, but hurt overall by too many chefs and a flabby final reel. **1/2 from ****

Oh my god. I know how hard it is to put a book on the big screen, but they really failed on this one. First of all, the casting is TERRIBLE (the characters don't even come close to those in the book, and the kid could at least be cute...), and second, the grandma plays like she followed a "Learn to act in 30 minutes" class. Rowan Atkinson and Angelica Huston are certainly not in their best roles either, but at least they don't screw up hugely like the rest of the cast. Jim Henson himself is about the only one who has done something good here: the mouse puppets are very good, and the directing and camera are quite good too. The story. The book is really nice, I read it and enjoyed it (although it's a kids book) but the movie makes the worst scenes longer and the best scenes shorter. What I'm also noticing is that everything is quite detailed and slow in the beginning and fast and disorderly near the end. Maybe some stupid deadline caused this, but anyway it gives a weird effect when you review the movie. Conclusion: buy the book, it's way better than the movie. As usual. 4/10

Fantastic film from start to finish. The story, the characters, the actors, all brilliant. I loved it and still do. I recommend to kids and adults alike.

I'm a bit sour grapes about Dahl but I would be lying if I said the book didn't terrify little me and the Movie more so. This is that special brand of freaky, campy, in your face child horror that is just in-your-face enough to pass as a movie that's OK for kids but then haunts their nightmares for ever. They were not going for subtle here, like the Evil Dead before them, they decided they would not do this in half measures. Uncompromising, unlovely forces of evil trick children to their doom and they could be anywhere. As it lays its ground work, audacious cinematography, nightmarish make up and stylish direction make this modern fairytale ooze off the screen. It is somewhat less terrifying in its second half when it turns into more of a schlocky adventure but it's actually pretty refreshing. It remembers to through in some shocking images before the end. Very satisfying piece of juvenile macabre done with verve and imagination. Perhaps the best adaption of its writers works. Do not believe the PG rating! This picture freaked me out, man... if you watch this with your 8 year old they will insist on sleeping in your bed till they their first menarche. But hey, maybe you want that, I don't judge.

Perhaps it is the direction, but everyone in this film seems to be very, very tired. The only signs of energy to be found are concentrated entirely in the mice, real and bogus. The actors all appear to be in need of a good night's sleep that would put them in a better temper for their day's labor before the cameras. This film neither scares nor amuses: if it is made for children, I fear that most of them would find it a very good excuse for a nice, long nap.

Disappointing Henson production. Not only does this movie lack story, character development, and tension it also misses Henson creativity and above all humor. No drama, no laughs and very little excitement make this movie too long and seem like going on forever. Basically the story is too predictable and almost by necessity develops according to very predictable lines and characters. Although the beginning of the movie gives opportunities, somehow it seems that the director and/or scriptwriters did not know how to build this into a good movie. For me the worst Henson production I saw. Only some of the actors save the movie from becoming a complete bore although Hustons role is below her skills and Atkinsons role is too boring to be really interesting or humorous.

This film is only interesting if you have taken some serious acids, in which case it will start looking like a Jodoworsky film. Otherwise, it is a very boring film. Who dared to insult the horror genre by labeling as part of it? Well, the union of horror critics, directors, writers, and fans are banning this one.