A Good Inkheart These Days is Hard to Find (Inkheart (Blu-ray))

Member Name: samueltyler

Product:	Inkheart (Blu-ray)
Date:	20/08/09 (56 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Imaginative, magical, classy

Disadvantages: Strained budget, special effects

Almost every other review that I post on Dooyoo is about a fiction novel. This tells you a couple things about me; I like to read and that I only read really quick books! There is something about the imagination that a novel evokes that makes reading my favourite of the medias available; I would choose it over my other passions of films and computer games if I had to choose one. When I was a kid I often daydreamed what it would be like to be able to go into my favourite books and re-enact classic moments, or perhaps drag characters out of the books to be my friends. This would work if you managed to pull of Frodo or Emil the Detective out; just make sure you don't pull out Sauron by mistake!

Mo has a secret talent; he has the power to make stories real. When he reads aloud from a book it will come to life in our world; he is known as a Silvertounge. To begin with Mo didn't know of his gift/curse and one fateful night he read from a fantasy novel called 'Inkheart', in doing so his wife was lost and many evil characters were released from the novel. One character was the evil thief Capricorn, having captured his own Silvertounge he has been awaking henchmen to act as his army to seek out and destroy the last remaining copies of Inkheart and with it any chance of him being rebanished to the book. Parallel to this Mo and his now grown daughter are seeking their own copy. After 10 years the two groups are finally coming together. Can Mo save his wife and has his daughter Meggie inherited his gift?

In a world of bland CGI kids' films I yearn for the days when a bit of imagination is used and we are treated to more than gurning animals with wise cracking American accents. Therefore, 'Inkheart' is a breath of fresh air and provides the type of family movie that is no longer fashionable, but is still great. Based on a German book and shot in Europe 'Inkheart' is a film that displays its EU roots with pride. There is a level of intelligence and cosmopolitan thinking that you just do not get in films based in America.

The source material itself is the first element that works. Any child who loves to read must have imagined what it was like for their books to come alive. Director Iain Softley does this with great aplomb combining the characters of the fictional book 'Inkheart' with those from real works such as 'Oz' and 'Arabian Nights'. Set in picturesque Europe the film already has a magical feel, by introducing fictional characters it only adds to the ambiance. With a great idea it is imperative that the story itself also works. Therefore, I was glad to see a solid family action adventure with many fun action sequences that are entertaining to both kids and adults.

With its EU base the film does have a slightly reduced budget compared to the larger and similar 'Golden Compass'. However, this is an adaptation that actually makes sense as is able to adapt the book while still making a coherent film. The budget restraints also mean that the special effects are perhaps not of the highest order, but they remain good enough for me. What the BluRay format allows is a brilliantly crisp portrayal of some beautiful parts of Europe. The colours and hues are of top order, unfortunately, the HD can also reveal some of the weaker special effects.

The films cast also helps to sell the premise and in most cases they are pitch perfect, but perhaps reflect the budgetary restraints. Cornelia Funke, the author of the book 'Inkheart', says that she always imagined Brendan Fraser playing the lead role of Mo. It is great news then that he does! Fraser is a strange actor who some people like, other hate. Personally I think he is one of the best matinee style actors around and is able to carry family action brilliantly. The other roles are well cast, if a little hammy, with Dame Helen Mirren and Andy Serkis standing out as the biggest lovies. Kudos must go to young actress Eliza Bennett who does a decent job as Meggie.

Like the recent 'Spiderwick Chronicles', 'Inkheart' is a modern film that harks back to an older era; an era of imagination and adventure. Perhaps because there are not enough farting donkeys the film will not appeal to modern children, but I refuse to believe this, many children are unaware that there are actually better films than 'Ice Age 7: Did No One Realise That This Franchise Was Not Very Good In The First Place'. If you know some children between 4-10 I would recommend 'Inkheart' for it makes up in imagination that it lacks in budget. It would especially appeal to a child who loves to read.


Director: Iain Softley
Year: 2008
Cert: PG
Starring: Brendan Fraser, Helen Mirren et al.
Price: Amazon uk £9.98 (BluRay)
Play.com £9.99 (BluRay)


Extras

As mentioned the HD format is a double edged sword. This is a brilliant transfer that makes the most of the format, but whilst making the scenery stunning, it makes the special effects more noticeable.

A documentary showing the book to screen process is a good one and it is clear that everyone involved was passionate about the film. There are not as many other extras as I would expect from a kid's film.

Summary: Please be gentle with this Inkheart of mine