Inkheart 7/10
Surprisingly good. Soooo much better than the previous Cornelia Funke adaptation (The Thief Lord). Decent production values, great scenery and green screens. OK acting, neat idea, high adventure and a passable script. All this movie needed was the old-style Pixar touch on the script. Sure, it played out a few implications of what it might mean to have the stories in books coming to life but in the end it didn't quite seem to realise fully the vision and its consequences
What was really interesting was the reaction of the kids. I've never before seen them discuss so intensely a movie, its themes and the implication of what it might be like in real life if the movie were to be true.
The 8-year old came home and announced that he was going to write a book (later, amended to his big sister was going to do the writing and he would do the illustrations
and they've been busy beavering away at the said book.
I cannot recall a movie having an impact like this. Sure, they like to act out Star Wars etc. but doing what boring parents might regard as productive work on the back of a movie's inspiration? It has never before happened.
Edit:I forgot to mention. Despite there being 4 above the title stars, Andy Serkis completely steals the acting honours - having way too much fun as the moustache-twirling baddie.
