JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH 1996
A film review by Timothy Voon
Copyright 1997 Timothy Voon
1 :-( for too much peach
Cast: Paul Terry, Joanna Lumley, Miriam Margoyles, Pete Postlethwaite; and the voices of Richard Dreyfuss, Susan Sarandon, Simon Callow, David Thewlis, and Jane Leeves Director: Henry Selick Producers: Denise Di Novi and Tim Burton Screenplay: Karey Kirkpatrick, Jonathan Roberts, and Steve Bloom based on the book by Roald Dahl
As a great fan of any Roald Dahl work and adaptation to screen, I was greatly disappointed with the results of 'James', when compared to the other recent adaptation of 'Matilda'. Perhaps the stick-like animated figures used for the most part of this movie, was what I found the most annoying and dissatisfying. One would expect Burton and Dahl to go hand in hand, as one has a tendency to paint dark moodiness and quirkiness into his characters and movies, whilst the other had an unhappy childhood which is reflected in the penniless 'Charlie', the disadvantaged 'Matilda' and the orphaned 'James'. However, this union is not to be.
'The Nightmare Before Christmas' effects on 'James' elegantly highlights Dahl's darker side, but somehow mutates that fine connection between fantasy and reality which makes Dahl believable and likeable. The cartoon stick figures have made this movie pure fantasy, and even a child with the greatest imagination will have great difficulty putting 'James' into perspective when compared to 'Charlie' or 'Matilda'. Then again this is one of Dahl's taller tales, I mean - giant, flying rhinoceroses swallowing parents, flying to New York on a giant peach pulled by 100 seagulls, and magical green crocodile tongues - really! I have to admit that when I read the novel as a child, I believed every word and remain to this day fascinated by the story of 'James'. Then again a child's imagination is so much more creative and magical than anything Hollywood could ever offer.
So I was disappointed by the look and portrayal of this story. 45 minutes into the movie I felt like ripping Mr Centipedes legs off, I wanted to divide Earth Worm into quarters, there was an incredible urge to grind Mrs Ladybug beneath my heels, followed by the desire to swat Mr Grasshopper and to 'Mortein' Ms Spider. I couldn't remember so much bickering aboard the crew of the Giant Peach. James looked anorexic and anaemic, and I had an incredible urge to insert a peripheral venous catheter and transfuse the poor lad with blood and parenteral nutrition.
THE SICK BOY AND JAMES by TMT Voon
Unwell, I watched 'James' with a raging fever, I had taken the day off to help the clouded mind recover, Perhaps against my better judgement, I thought 'James' would be the best medicine. So my analysis may appear virally septic, But I really did feel that 'James' would make me feel better, Instead I needed peaceful slumber, For watching this movie sure made me despise it.
Timothy Voon e-mail: stirling@netlink.com.au
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