Absolutely Brilliant!

This is a coming of age storyline that you've seen in one form or another for decades. It takes a truly unique voice to make yet another one worth watching.

True to its essence, the characters remain on the same line and manage to entertain the viewer, each highlighting their own distinctive qualities or touches.

It is an exhilarating, distressing, funny and profound film, with one of the more memorable film scores in years,

Jack Clayton's adaptation of Ray Bradbury's novel provides at least three interesting things to talk about.First one, the movie is beautiful to look at. The increasingly somber (very) slow burn atmosphere is great, so are the awesome back-to-back parade and library scenes (a 20 minute long masterpiece). And special mention to Jason Robards and Jonathan Pryce wonderful performances.Second. The filmmaker's low-key visual and dramatic style it's almost the opposite to the novel (and Bradbury's) unrestrained style. I love old fashioned fantasy so I don't have any problems with the movie concerning this subject, but if Bradbury wanted a faithful version of his book I don't understand why he chose Clayton (disappointing the novel's fans) as his main option to direct it.Third. The expected off-screen conflicts of vision ended with a no Bradbury but John Mortimer's final script (Mortimer was a friend of Clayton, a "The Innocents" –the subtly sexual ghost movie- screenwriter and a guy known for his subtly cutting vision present on his artistic work). I attribute to Mortimer the sneaky scathing humour and turning the movie darker than the novel. On the "humour" thing, the satirical view on the supporting characters (e.g. turning the "I want beautiful women" barber, into the "bearded fat woman"). On the "darkening the book", the turning of Jim into a boy with sexual desire towards his mother (brutally heavy stuff for a Disney flick), because is evident the "lost husband" Jim's Mother is going to meet at the Carnival Gates is Jim himself, aged on the carousel (it's conveniently said Jim and his father were near identical). So for Clayton and Mortimer (uncertain about Bradbury), Jim's psyche hides the wish of supplant his father (filling the painful hollow let by Dad) and hook up with his mother.A near masterpiece damaged by a few minor flaws due to Disney hands on "after first cut" adds: the a bit wacky (in concept and editing) "stormy" climax, the spider scene (ok-ish on itself but feels out-of-place with the global tone) and the unnecessary (nostalgic and explanatory) voice-over narration on the first and last scenes, present on the first scripts, erased by Mortimer on him's and recovered for the movie's final cut.

There are always things we will need in life, whether it's obtaining a certain object, going someplace, or achieving something we haven't yet achieved yet. But it's always a matter of which price your willing to pay to get it.This is another forgotten gem that is personally I feel one of Disney's best live action film but also one of my favorite fantasy film's based on a book by an author I really like the late great Ray Bradbury. This was another movie that took place when Disney was still taking chances and this film was another big chance due to how dark it is. Personally I love it if Disney tries again in chance taking, because it's a prime example that shows they can appeal to a wider audience.I really like the story it's a suttle fantasy, almost the kind from "The Brother's Grimm" where most of the stories are about the extraordinary circumstances would happen to the ordinary. I also feel in a way it's almost kinda a Christian story, since Mr. Dark's scheme is similar to The Devil's. Let alone a theme on Redemption.The production value is good I really like the locale they shot it in, not just capturing a small town but of a time of innocence long gone. I really like Mr. Dark's carnival, it has a aura of mystery as if their could be anything in it or anything could happen. The effects are solid though there aren't that many. My favorite is in the mirror maze sequence, which is kinda similar to the one in "Enter the Dragon" but I like how made to be a maze of the psyche. Music is also very good a few music tracks are memorable. I even like the suspense in the film, you really do care for the protagonists lives and are in their shoes trying to figure out what's going on before it's too late.I really like the characters and the dynamics they have. The two kids that play Will Holloway and Jim Nightshade are solid and capable actors, it's a shame they didn't do more. But both had a good back and forth, both felt like real kids not some stereotypical annoying ones. Will is a little more wiser and reserved and Jim is little more aggressive but not all the smarter.Even like the villain Mr. Dark played well by Johanthan Pryce whom does well at playing villains, to me this is my favorite one. He's is menacing, he seems at times kinda friendly but he can easily turn that around which is part of what makes him a little scary; kinda like anyone that has a violent mood swing. But I like how he's a devil like figure, like the devil he preys on the weak and wounded, tempts them with treasures to entice them only to make them his own.As the narrator Will says, this story is really about his father Charles Holloway (played well by Jason Robards)and in some ways it is. The story on him sort of similar with the movie "Bubba Ho Tep" just like the character Elvis, Charlies is a man that is in the twilight of his existence. Both him and his son are aware they may not have much time together left and worst of all isn't sure if he's lived life the way he wanted. I really like one movement which was suspenseful but I always feel a spiritual test, when Mr. Dark constantly tempts Charles to give him youth again and rips away pages of a book (which I thought was a good visual effect) as Charles doesn't comply. It was kinda a sad moment as well because it was like Mr. Dark was ripping away pages of Charlies life.There are multiple themes, for the kids it's sort of a coming of age tale, it's not so much about the journey to being an adult but journeying at the right pace. In a way there is sort of contrast parallel between some of the adult characters and the kids. Jim and even Will have a desire for things in his future to happen right now while the adults desire things lost from their past. In a way those adults didn't really grow up, people that pine too much for the past aren't really living in the present or for the future. Both the kids in a way from what they say and how they behave seem more mature, it shows that both of them are the ones that are growing up because despite their desires their not ready for them yet; as an old saying goes all good things come to those who wait.For the adults it's issues on the problem with old age and our constant struggle and desire for more time despite time running out. But also a positive theme on redemption, sure everyone of us might have a regret or two but it's not permanent it's not something we have to live with forever, do whatever it takes for as much time as you have in your life to destroy it. By trying and succeeding at atonement is what makes us truly grow but most importantly live.There truly is a time and place for everything, good and even evil.Rating: 4 stars

After Walt Disney died in the late '60s, the Disney company then proceeded for the next ten years or so diminishing the audience for its movies by making (mostly) mediocre and formula movies, and refusing to accept that tastes had changed. Finally realizing they had to shake things up, they spent the next few years making un-Disney-like movies to attract a wider audience. "Something Wicked..." is one of those movies, and it was rejected by audiences at the box office. Seeing it, it's pretty easy to see why. The Ray Bradbury story was no longer fresh, and probably seemed very familiar to audiences. Also, at least the way it's presented here, it comes more like a short story that has been incredibly padded (with stuff like dream sequences and a good amount of talk) to run an hour and a half. The characters don't come alive, even the Pryce villain character. Substandard photography and special effects not only add to the feeling of half-hearted effort by the filmmakers, but make the movie look tacky. Though I have not read the original story, I'm pretty confident that this is one time you should stick to the book.

I enjoyed this movie as a child, it was very interesting and it was nice to watch a horror movie that was rated PG as it would actually come on in the day rather than having to try to stay up late to watch it. Granted, it is not a pure horror movie, it has some other genres mixed in as well, but at its core I say horror is its main ingredient. The movie also features good characters in the form of Mr. Dark and Jason Robards character. The kid who is featured is also quite good here. The story has a carnival coming to town, however this carnival contains a dark secret and it is not just the fact the owner of this particular carnival is named Dark. No it seems he likes to offer those that are a bit weak the thing they desire most and then twist it in a way that makes it not so good. However, that is the price you must pay when dealing with this gentleman. The story moves at a good clip and while it never really gets gory or anything the story more than makes up for this and provides plenty of entertainment.