The Disney corporation deserve some credit for their attempts in the late 1970s and early 1980s to expand their repertoire a bit and dabble in genre offerings - "The Black Hole" and "The Watcher in the Woods" as well as this Ray Bradbury adaptation, scripted by the author himself. They also go to some rather dark places with this tale, another risky move, but the film is reasonably absorbing, touching on the subject of dealing with regrets in life. We have a timeless good vs. evil theme, a number of compelling characters, and some very literate dialogue. Purists, however, may take exception to Disney's meddling, as they added new sequences and special effects in order to make this venture a more blatantly commercial, conventional one.
Not to say that the film is really bad. It's just not that satisfying in the end. It does have some delicious atmosphere, a superb autumn feel (it takes place in October), and Jonathan Pryce as Mr. Dark is a dapper, highly theatrical villain.
The endearing Jason Robards stars as small town librarian Charles Halloway, whose small town is visited by Mr. Darks' traveling Pandemonium Carnival. What we learn is that citizens who visit the carnival can see their fondest wishes come true - but at a heavy price. With the lives of his young son Will (Vidal Peterson) and Wills' best friend Jim Nightshade (Shawn Carson of Tobe Hoopers' "The Funhouse") on the line, Charles must do battle with the fiendish Mr. Dark.
It's not exactly hard to guess what Mr. Darks' big secret is, but getting there is still a fair bit of fun. Some children may be put off or disturbed by some sequences (such as the bit with the onslaught of tarantulas), but it is nice to see a somewhat mature offering from Disney. James Horners' score is very spooky, and Jack Clayton ("The Innocents") does a decent job with the direction. The very fine cast includes Diane Ladd as Jims' mom, Royal Dano as the prophetic lightning rod salesman Tom Fury, Ellen Geer as Wills' mother, a highly enticing Pam Grier as the beautiful but eerie Dust Witch, James Stacy as football player turned bartender Ed, and Angelo Rossitto as one of the little people. Peterson and Carson are appealing as the kids.
Had this been done with a little more subtlety and less cheese, this could have been something pretty good and interesting. Still, it remains watchable.
Seven out of 10.
Not to say that the film is really bad. It's just not that satisfying in the end. It does have some delicious atmosphere, a superb autumn feel (it takes place in October), and Jonathan Pryce as Mr. Dark is a dapper, highly theatrical villain.
The endearing Jason Robards stars as small town librarian Charles Halloway, whose small town is visited by Mr. Darks' traveling Pandemonium Carnival. What we learn is that citizens who visit the carnival can see their fondest wishes come true - but at a heavy price. With the lives of his young son Will (Vidal Peterson) and Wills' best friend Jim Nightshade (Shawn Carson of Tobe Hoopers' "The Funhouse") on the line, Charles must do battle with the fiendish Mr. Dark.
It's not exactly hard to guess what Mr. Darks' big secret is, but getting there is still a fair bit of fun. Some children may be put off or disturbed by some sequences (such as the bit with the onslaught of tarantulas), but it is nice to see a somewhat mature offering from Disney. James Horners' score is very spooky, and Jack Clayton ("The Innocents") does a decent job with the direction. The very fine cast includes Diane Ladd as Jims' mom, Royal Dano as the prophetic lightning rod salesman Tom Fury, Ellen Geer as Wills' mother, a highly enticing Pam Grier as the beautiful but eerie Dust Witch, James Stacy as football player turned bartender Ed, and Angelo Rossitto as one of the little people. Peterson and Carson are appealing as the kids.
Had this been done with a little more subtlety and less cheese, this could have been something pretty good and interesting. Still, it remains watchable.
Seven out of 10.