INKHEART: REVIEW
With
the recent school holidays comes with it the usual array of kids flicks - some
good, some ordinary, and some very very interesting indeed! 'Inkheart', based
on a popular young adult novel, falls into the latter category.
Brendan
Fraser headlines the cast as Mo - a 'silvertongue' who can read a book and while
narrating out aloud can bring the characters within to life. Mo is a professional
book buyer who when prowling the aisles of any bookstore, can hear the chatter
of characters calling out to him. Sadly, he discovers this trait one night while
entertaining his wife Resa and daughter Meggie. The silvertongue brings to life
an unusual fire juggler known as Dustfinger - a heroic while also tragic figure
that leaps out of the pages to real life. The drawback is that existing people
become sucked into the book as a replacement and accidently send his wife into
the tome.
Some 10 years later, Mo is still looking to save
her, even though his efforts unleash even more fictional faces from the book including
the evil master thief Capricorn. This particular criminal isn't content with being
a viable member of society in the real world. Like all maniacs on a power trip,
he wants to rule all mankind.
The movie descends into a confusing
third stanza and into a realm of your basic good guys against the bad guys. There's
plenty of excitement in the fact there is always a chance that Mo and Meggie may
be transferred into the pages of the book. Brendan Fraser tries hard but to me,
is better suited to serious roles such as his brilliant turn in the Oscar winner
'Crash'.
However, it is definitely an all too short cameo
from Helen Mirren as a lovable great aunt who steals the show. Like the classic
'Never Ending Story' made 25 years ago, which by the way is being remade, this
is a lovingly made fantasy adventure - even if it contains countless flaws with
consistency.
Parents may want steer clear of the film with
toddlers. Choose the more suitable and much lighter 'Monsters Vs. Aliens' instead.
Shane
A. Bassett
