Five Children and It (2004)
Starring: Kenneth Branagh, Zoe Wanamaker, Freddie Highmore, Jonathan Bailey, Jessica Claridge, Poppy Rogers, Tara Fitzgerald, Alex Jennings, John Sessions, Norman Wisdom, Duncan Preston, Eddie Izzard
Director: John Stephenson
Running Time: 89 minutes
US MPAA rating: N/AUK BBFC rating: U
Adventure, Family, Fantasy
I've never read E. Nesbit's century-old kiddies' book 'Five Children and It' but, as a massive fan of the TV series screened by the BBC in 1991, I went to see this big screen adaptation with a distinct sense of trepidation. Handled correctly, it's the sort of tale that could make for terrific mid-term entertainment. On the other hand, it also has the potential to be very, very boring.
It's about five meddlesome ankle-biters who, after being evacuated to the countryside to spend the duration of the First World War with their mad uncle Albert (Kenneth Branagh), make an unusual new friend. He sleeps on the beach, claims to grant "special wishes" and loves hanging around with children - but there's no need to call the police, for he's a Psammead (or sand fairy if you prefer) and he turns out to be quite a useful bloke to know.
Created by the Jim Henson Creature Shop and voiced with a bizarre faux-French accent by comic-turned-luvvy Eddie Izzard, Psammy (or "It" as he's slightly rudely nicknamed by his ungrateful young finders) grants the kiddy-winks one wish a day. Sounds great, obviously, but the catch is that each wish expires at sun-set and - even worse - contains a sickening over-egged moral lesson for its user.
Sadly, this is a slow, ponderous film which feels much longer than its modest hour-and-a-half running time. It takes far too long to introduce us to the Psammead, and its attempts at building up an emotional hook (there's a subplot about the kids' dad going missing in enemy territory) are clumsily written and poorly performed. Freddie Highmore, who plays the lead kid, delivers an empty, going-through-the-motions display (we can only pray he's saving himself for his title role in Tim Burton's upcoming 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory' remake), and even Branagh looks like he can't be bothered. Izzard ends up working doubly-hard in an effort to carry the film, but unfortunately he's just got too many passengers.
I'd have liked to have seen the story brought to the cinema in a quirkier style and with a greater emphasis on the sort of charming-but-anarchic comedy Danny DeVito managed to capture so delightfully in Matilda. There's great potential here, but director John Stephenson and his cast (with the exception of Izzard) fail quite horribly in their attempts to take advantage of it. Unless you're a curious fan of the book or TV series, give it a miss.
It's Got: A posh kid sporting one of the finest mullets in screen history.
It Needs: A live action cast willing to put as much into it as Eddie Izzard.
Alternatives: The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe, The Railway Children, The Witches
Summary: A spiritless and forgettable adaptation that could have been so much better.
Review by Gary Panton
Review Date: 26th October 2004
External Links
Five Children and It at the IMDB
Comments8 Comments |
| I think that the sand fairy should have stayed the same - like in the tv series - its just not the same, because they sand fairy in the tv series was scary, but this one is just stupid |
| Comment by:- bob | | 01 November 2004 | ip: logged |
| He's weird |
| Comment by:- Anonymous | | 05 November 2004 | ip: logged |
| Am i the only one that loved this movie? I thought it was wonderful and had fantastic scenes. I also thought the Actors were great for their parts. I give it 10/10. It's the best kids film of the year. |
| Comment by:- If you do to http://www.harrypotter-boards.com please put psammead as your referer. | | 08 November 2004 | ip: logged |
| well i think it was all right but really quite boring!! |
| Comment by:- akj | www.googleee.com | 14 November 2004 | ip: logged |
| i love the book read it lots as a child even during my o level years and the sand fairy wasnt meant to be scary. |
| Comment by:- janie | | 15 November 2004 | ip: logged |
| I went to see this with a very sceptical husband and a "sand virgin" daughter. We all loved this for different reasons. My daughter because she hadn`t been spoilt by seeing the original, my husband almost for the same but in an adult way and me because I loved the original but also thought this was fantastic. I must say that I believe that that was only due to the fantastic Eddie Izzard!! And I felt Zoe Wannamaker`s role was sorely misused - the hints were there and I was waiting for it to be fully explained...may be a link to a sequel? |
| Comment by:- Nita | | 16 November 2004 | ip: logged |
| Comment by:- amy | | 23 August 2005 | ip: logged |
| I thought this was the worst movie ever! Did these people even read the book. They didn't even need to change a thing. The exact plot would have worked perfectly for a movie.Plus even if it was never a book the movie just didn't make sense. It dosn't even have the feel of the book. Also what is with the dinasour that kid Horris and the uncle.Added Nothing.They only got about two of the wishes right,didn't do them well. Altogether this movie was Trash!! What has the world come to. |
| Comment by:- amy | | 23 August 2005 | ip: logged |
