Mary and the Witch's Flower
3/4
Starring (voices): Ruby Barnhill, Kate Winslet, Jim Broadbent, Louis Ashbourne Serkis, Morwenna Banks
Rated PG for Some Action and Thematic Elements
One could be forgiven for mistaking "Mary and the Witch's Flower" for a movie by Hayao Miyazaki. It's got the same colorful animation, dreamy music, and a plucky little girl at the center of it all. But it isn't. Neither Miyazaki nor Studio Ghibli had anything to do with this movie, which was based on a book by Mary Stewart. Kudos to the production team for being able to mimic the master so well. As they say, if you're going to borrow, borrow from the best.
Mary (Barnhill) is a young girl awaiting the start of a new school year. Her parents haven't arrived yet, and none of the other children are home from vacation yet. While out exploring, she finds a mysterious flower known as a "fly-by-night." The next day, she accidentally bursts one of the flowers on a nearby broomstick. The broomstick comes alive and whisks her away among the clouds to Endor College, a school for witches and warlocks. There, she is greeted by Madam Mumblechook (Winslet) and Doctor Dee (Broadbent), who believe her to be a prodigy. But Mary is not a witch, and when she's caught, she must pay the price.
Comparisons to Hayao Miyazaki are unavoidable and in some respects, completely warranted. The level of imagination is astonishing. There are magical projections in water, flying dolphin-like creatures, and some rather disturbing hybrids. Endor College is in itself a sight to behold, easily eclipsing Laputa from Miyazaki's own "Castle in the Sky." More tellingly, the style of the anime could have been lifted from one of Miyazaki's own films. The sense of wonder and magic (for lack of a better term) that is emblematic of Miyazaki is there, albeit in a more subdued fashion.
If only the same compliments could be said of the story. There's nothing wrong with what happens. Rather, it's how director Hiromasa Yonebayashi chooses to tell it. For the second half of the film, every scene seems to be bringing to story to a close, only to have it go, "Oh wait! There's more to go!" This is just sloppy storytelling, and I felt jerked around.
Like Miyazaki's works, the film has received an English language dubbing. Ruby Barnhill is a solid choice for the title character, imbuing her with enough spunk and smarts to become endearing rather than precocious and annoying. Kate Winslet and Jim Broadbent are virtually unrecognizable as two unusually good villains. It is oh so easy to hate them. And Louis Ashbourne Serkis (son of Andy Serkis) is quite good as the love interest.
Whatever shortcomings the storytelling may have, they are counterbalanced by some truly special visuals and lovable characters. It isn't perfect, and it certainly isn't Miyazaki, but I can scarcely imagine a person watching this movie and not having a pleasant time.
Starring (voices): Ruby Barnhill, Kate Winslet, Jim Broadbent, Louis Ashbourne Serkis, Morwenna Banks
Rated PG for Some Action and Thematic Elements
One could be forgiven for mistaking "Mary and the Witch's Flower" for a movie by Hayao Miyazaki. It's got the same colorful animation, dreamy music, and a plucky little girl at the center of it all. But it isn't. Neither Miyazaki nor Studio Ghibli had anything to do with this movie, which was based on a book by Mary Stewart. Kudos to the production team for being able to mimic the master so well. As they say, if you're going to borrow, borrow from the best.
Mary (Barnhill) is a young girl awaiting the start of a new school year. Her parents haven't arrived yet, and none of the other children are home from vacation yet. While out exploring, she finds a mysterious flower known as a "fly-by-night." The next day, she accidentally bursts one of the flowers on a nearby broomstick. The broomstick comes alive and whisks her away among the clouds to Endor College, a school for witches and warlocks. There, she is greeted by Madam Mumblechook (Winslet) and Doctor Dee (Broadbent), who believe her to be a prodigy. But Mary is not a witch, and when she's caught, she must pay the price.
Comparisons to Hayao Miyazaki are unavoidable and in some respects, completely warranted. The level of imagination is astonishing. There are magical projections in water, flying dolphin-like creatures, and some rather disturbing hybrids. Endor College is in itself a sight to behold, easily eclipsing Laputa from Miyazaki's own "Castle in the Sky." More tellingly, the style of the anime could have been lifted from one of Miyazaki's own films. The sense of wonder and magic (for lack of a better term) that is emblematic of Miyazaki is there, albeit in a more subdued fashion.
If only the same compliments could be said of the story. There's nothing wrong with what happens. Rather, it's how director Hiromasa Yonebayashi chooses to tell it. For the second half of the film, every scene seems to be bringing to story to a close, only to have it go, "Oh wait! There's more to go!" This is just sloppy storytelling, and I felt jerked around.
Like Miyazaki's works, the film has received an English language dubbing. Ruby Barnhill is a solid choice for the title character, imbuing her with enough spunk and smarts to become endearing rather than precocious and annoying. Kate Winslet and Jim Broadbent are virtually unrecognizable as two unusually good villains. It is oh so easy to hate them. And Louis Ashbourne Serkis (son of Andy Serkis) is quite good as the love interest.
Whatever shortcomings the storytelling may have, they are counterbalanced by some truly special visuals and lovable characters. It isn't perfect, and it certainly isn't Miyazaki, but I can scarcely imagine a person watching this movie and not having a pleasant time.
Comments
Post a Comment