JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH
A film review by Scott Marcus
Copyright 1996 Scott Marcus
Cast: Joanna Lumley, Miriam Margolyes, Pete Postlewaithe, David Thewlis (voice), Simon Callow (voice), Glynis Johns (voice), Susan Sarandon (voice) Writers: Roald Dahl (based on his book), Steven Bloom, Karey Kirkpatrick, Dennis Potter, Jonathan Roberts Producers: Tim Burton, Denise Di Novi, Jake Eberts, John Engel, Brian Rosen, Henry Selick Director: Henry Selick Running Time: 80 minutes Grade: C+
One word review: innocuous. As a children's movie, JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH works. It shouldn't be either too frightening or too complex for even little kids to enjoy. For adults, however, the film is too simplistic. Some of the animation sequences are striking, but the story and the characters don't really develop enough to be interesting to adults.
I wanted to like this movie, but the problem was that my expectations were probably a little high. I went in expecting a film more akin to THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS. The only thing in JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH that is close to being as good as in NIGHTMARE is the stop-motion animation, and that is not enough to carry the entire movie, especially since only about 1/2 the film is done this way.
JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH is based on the children's story by Roald Dahl. We see James, the progagonist, in both live-action and animated versions. The story follows his escape from his nasty aunts, Aunt Spiker (Joanna Lumley) and Aunt Sponge (Miriam Margolyes), into a - what else - giant peach. He and his new friends - a bunch of giant bugs - head off for New York. Their adventures on this journey comprise the majority of the film.
The dark characterizations and satire that made NIGHTMARE work on an adult level are not present in this film. Also, Randy Newman will never be confused with Danny Elfman. The music in JAMES is too schmaltzy, and doesn't have the edge that Elfman's score provided to NIGHTMARE. The music is instantly forgettable, and adds nothing to the film. On a positive note, Newman writes great elevator music.
All of Tim Burton's films have a darkness to them that makes them interesting. This film lacks that vision, and seems to show us a kinder, gentler Burton - a well-adjusted, but boring Burton.
The best sequence in the film takes place underwater, when events take a dark turn. There's a character very reminiscent of Jack Skellington (from NIGHTMARE), which is perhaps why I enjoyed this scene. If the rest of the film had the same bite, it would have been a more interesting experience.
My recommendation is to find a neighbor, baby sitter, or favorite aunt to take the kiddies to see JAMES, while the adults stay home and watch THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS on the VCR. Grade: C+.
Review written 14 April, 1996
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