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Despite impressive production values, this is staid, plodding and unimpressive fantasy-fare, with poor performances struggling with an underdeveloped script.
All Critics (22) | Top Critics (2) | Fresh (5) | Rotten (17) | DVD (1)
A sweet if faintly soporific fantasy adventure for family audiences. Feb 6, 2009 | Full Review…
A sweet if faintly soporific fantasy adventure for family audiences.
Peter Bradshaw
Nicely put together, but just a little dull. Feb 5, 2009 | Rating: 2/6 | Full Review…
Nicely put together, but just a little dull.
Trevor Johnston
Enchanting fantasy turns teen into sweet, selfless princess. Feb 13, 2017 | Rating: 4/5 | Full Review…
Enchanting fantasy turns teen into sweet, selfless princess.
Karen Wirsling
Enchanting fantasy turns teen into sweet, selfless princess. Jan 25, 2011 | Rating: 4/5 | Full Review…
Common Sense Media Editors
Richards starred in 2007's The Golden Compass and, compared with big-budget fantasies of that kind, this smaller effort can't help looking mimsy, despite its good intentions. Feb 12, 2009 | Rating: 2/5 | Full Review…
Richards starred in 2007's The Golden Compass and, compared with big-budget fantasies of that kind, this smaller effort can't help looking mimsy, despite its good intentions.
Edward Porter
A film about magic that remains obdurately unmagical. Feb 12, 2009 | Full Review…
A film about magic that remains obdurately unmagical.
Philip French
A sluggish narrative is further hampered by "comic" turns (Juliet Stevenson, as a gurning governess) and some frankly shameless knockoffs. Feb 10, 2009 | Rating: 1/5 | Full Review…
A sluggish narrative is further hampered by "comic" turns (Juliet Stevenson, as a gurning governess) and some frankly shameless knockoffs.
Anthony Quinn
Routine special effects merely add to the impression that this is a second division fantasy. Feb 10, 2009 | Rating: 2/5 | Full Review…
Routine special effects merely add to the impression that this is a second division fantasy.
Allan Hunter
This whimsical children's tale is uninspired yet doesn't drop far enough below mediocrity to justify a place in the lineup of "so-bad-they're-good" movies. Feb 6, 2009 | Rating: 2/5 | Full Review…
This whimsical children's tale is uninspired yet doesn't drop far enough below mediocrity to justify a place in the lineup of "so-bad-they're-good" movies.
Simon Reynolds
Fantasy doesn't come feebler than this. Feb 6, 2009 | Rating: 1/5 | Full Review…
Fantasy doesn't come feebler than this.
Christopher Tookey
It's a slow-moving affair with wooden acting, duff special effects and some woefully unfunny comic moments from Tim Curry as an undersized chef. All in all, the thing's severely lacking in magic. Feb 6, 2009 | Rating: 2/5 | Full Review…
It's a slow-moving affair with wooden acting, duff special effects and some woefully unfunny comic moments from Tim Curry as an undersized chef. All in all, the thing's severely lacking in magic.
David Edwards
The Secret Of Moonacre lacks action, adventure and magic. Feb 6, 2009 | Rating: 1/5 | Full Review…
The Secret Of Moonacre lacks action, adventure and magic.
I loved the book when I was younger, in fact I still have it secreted away somewhere where I keep all my sentimental things. This is why I made a note of renting it. However, I was a shade disappointed. The costumes and sets are lovely (although I'm not keen on Maria's pink dress as from behind it looks as if she's unwittingly exposing herself), but the plot is a lot more 'dramatic' (i.e contains more conflict and peril) and twee, and less engaging than I remember. The ending is quite effective though, which did save my opinion of it somewhat.
Super Reviewer
Despite the magical premise, incredible cast, stunning costumes, sets and landscape, this film failed to excite any interest in me whatsoever. There was nothing particularly wrong with it, but I think it was the lack of enthusiasm from the cast; if they weren't especially bothered, then why should we be?
No where near as dark as some of its ilk this is a great movie for the bug 'uns and the little 'uns alike. Tim Curry's baddie is a little bit pants but its a good allround family entertainer.
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