| Product: |
Five Children And It (DVD) |
| Date: |
16/10/07 (45 review reads) |
| Rating: |
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Advantages: charming, tender, imaginative and british
Disadvantages: Not enough Uncle Albert
Director: John Stevenson
Cinema Release Date: October 2004
Genre: Children’s Fantasy/Adventure
Classification: U
Run Time: 89minutes
Actors: Freddy Highmore, Eddie Izard, Kenneth Brannagh, Zoe Wattermaker
RRP: £15.99 though there are deals to be found
What’s it all about?
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Five children of a father fighting in the first World War and a mother nursing wounded soldiers are sent to live with their eccentric uncle and their spoilt cousin in his dilapidated mansion. There, on their Uncle’s secret beach, they discover It, a sand fairy who makes their wishes come true! It grants them one wish per day, each lasting until sunset but the children soon learn how hard it is to think of really sensible wishes. Each wish comes with consequences and magic, the children find, can be as awkward as it is enticing.
Who is John Stevenson?
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Five Children and It was only English Stevenson’s second directorial effort, the first being a TV version of Animal Farm in 1999. He does however also hold the somewhat questionable title of “2nd Director” for Lost in Space, Matt LeBlanc’s disastrous move from TV sitcom to the silver screen in 1998. To his credit, he can however count several years working as creative supervisor to the Jim Henson creature shop in London as part of his repertoire. This creative, fun and mischievous side has obviously gone some way to allowing Stevenson to produce a film with such a vivid imagination.
How was the Story/Script?
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Anyo ne who has read any of my other children’s DVD reviews will know that a story has to catch my imagination for me to rate it positively. My pet peeve is how children are forgetting how to imagine because everything is handed to them on a plate these days.
This story not only captured my heart, but also, most definitely my imagination as well as both my youngest (3 years old) and my oldest (11 years old).
I was worried that the period film wouldn’t appeal to the older of the boys and that he would struggle to identify, but the story and script were written in such a manner that the feeling and sentiment transferred across the years seamlessly. The struggles and heartache the children in the film felt at being away from their parents is as true today as it was then and the excitement and delight they felt when presented with the gift of daily wishes is no different that it would be today (although the wishes may vary to incorporate the latest Playstation these days). The mischievous nature that most kids, certainly mine display hasn’t changed one bit. All these factors ensure the viewer doesn’t feel alienated simply because the characters are wearing tweed shorts and stiff shirts or frilly dresses with lace up boots instead of denims and a hoody.
This is a bright, quirky story with a shed load of humour and a strong eccentric feel that delves into the ridiculous. A fabulous script ensures the interaction and relationship between characters, and indeed the obvious emotional turmoil they are experiencing individually and collectively is handled sensitively and without overshadowing the magical and fun aspect of the film.
How was the acting?
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We have all heard the saying “never work with Children or Animals” but if this film is anything to go on, we can well and truly lay this theory to rest.
The 5 siblings in this film present a united front and deliver performances that are of a professional level to rival those of their more adult and experience counterparts in the film.
If you have read my Finding Neverland, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory or Arthur and the Invisibles reviews, you will know that Freddy Highmore is my favourite child actor. I am continually astounded by his performances and this film is certainly no exception. His humour, sense of timing and incredible talent for feeding off of his co-stars, is phenomenal and to boot, he is the cutest kid since, well, since mine!
Although Freddy certainly steals the show somewhat, he is certainly not alone in earning my praise. The other children, Jonathan Bailey, Jessica Claridge, Poppy Rogers and Alec and Zac Muggleton also deserve applause for their contributions. Each of them (made their own roles individual and yet maintained the feel of an ensemble cast. There was a true feel of comradary in this film which made the idea that they were brothers and sisters that much easier to believe. I particularly loved the baby who was responsible for much of the laughter induced by this film.
I must also mention Horrace, the wretched spoilt cousin who is played brilliantly by Alexander Pownall. It isn’t always easy for me to despise even bratty little children on screen, but he certainly managed it. Equally, I was impressed with his ability to turn it around and change the viewer’s opinion of him so neatly towards the end. I look forward to seeing him in more projects soon.
The adult actors, notably Kenneth Brannagh as Uncle Albert and Zoe Wannamaker as (housekeeper?)Martha appeared to be in their element. Both accomplished actors have a history of embracing more elaborate, imaginative roles. In fact, both as Allumni’s of the Harry Potter films.
They appeared to revel in the silliness with Uncle Albert being the silliest of the two. Brannagh was barely recognizable to the viewers, which allowed us to immerse ourselves in his absent-mindedness and nonsense ramblings.
Zoe Wannamaker played the grown-up ally to the kids and exuded a warmth and kindness that made the ridiculous goings on in the house make sense. She was like a big warm fuzzy blanket but the silliness still managed to leak out frequently.
It, a grumpy and selfish creature is played by comedian Eddie Izard and similar to Cousin Horrace, manages to show a number of different sides to his character before the end of the film. Although the immediate response is to thing he is a nasty, bitter old creature, it isn’t long before we get a taste of his vulnerability and perhaps even a glimpse of tenderness as he grows fond of the children who irritated him so much to begin with. There was always a chance of It outshining the kids in this film, particularly when played by Eddie Izard. I was glad to see he didn’t do so, although he delivered a terrific performance bringing wit and humour to this stylish production.
How was the Cinematography?
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The animation and effects used in this film are actually quite minimal. This is most likely due to budget restraints but I quite liked the effect of blending live action with limited animatronics and CGI. It brought the imaginary world into real life a bit more. The animation that was evident was of course of a very high standard however but would you expect anything less from the legendary Jim Henson Production group?
What was perhaps even more impressive was the beautiful landscape of Isle of Wight, where the film was shot. Some imaginative camera work allowed for some fantastic imagery, which lent itself beautifully to the feel of the film. The beach scenes in particular spoke volumes about the vast emptiness – often reflected in the children.
The house was turned into a maze of new discoveries for the kids – a bit like Alice in Wonderland. Again, clever camerawork made the impossible seem normal in this film.
What my Family Thought
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It isn’t often I find a film that crosses the boundaries between being acceptable for a 3 year old and for an 11 year old. It is a testament to Five Children and It, that my boys both enjoyed this film as did I.
My youngest loved the baby, and my oldest loved ‘IT’ and I loved pretty much all of it. This is a charming, witty, tender and imaginative film which gives kids back some of the magic of being a child.
I bet you didn’t know…
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Robin Williams was originally offered the role of the Psammead.
Twin babies Zac and Alec Muggleton played the part of baby lamb
The film is an adaption of Edith Nesbitt book written as part of a Trilogy in 1902
Summary: 5 children dicover a secret while visiting their crazy uncle albert
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