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- Movie: Inkheart
- Reviewed Format: Theatrical
- Rating: PG
- Starring: Brenden Fraser (Mortimer Folchart), Eliza Hope Bennett (Meggie Folchart), Sienna Guillory (Resa), Paul Bettany (Dustfinger), Helen Mirren (Elinor), Andy Serkis (Capricorn), Farid (Rafi Gavron), Fenoglio (Jim Broadbent), Darius (John Thomason), Narrator (Roger Allam)
- Written By: David Lindsay-Abaire (based on the book by Cornelia Funke)
- Directed By: Iain Softley
- Distributor: New Line (WB)
- Series:
INKHEART
A Novel Idea that Hits and Misses By
Liana Aghajanian
January 23, 2009
Mania Reviews New Line's INKHEART(2009).
© New Line
In a world where fantasy and reality intertwine through the pages of a book, “Inkheart,” based on German author Cornelia Funke’s bestselling book of the same name, is an enjoyable, well-rounded and appealing film. While it doesn’t pack nearly enough stamina to knock the wand out of Harry Potter’s hand, if the saga continues to develop beyond the first book, it could come close.
With amazing art direction, cinematography and thorough performances by Eliza Hope Bennett, Paul Bettany, Helen Mirren and Andy Serkis, the visually stunning “Inkheart” will manage to capture the hearts of its audience with twists and turns in all the right places.
Meggie (Eliza Hope Bennett) and her father Mortimer “Mo” Folchart (Brendan Fraser), a book restorer, share a mutual passion for books, even though he has never read out loud to her, her entire life. During a routine visit to an antique bookstore Mo happens to come upon the book he has dedicated the last nine years of his life to finding- a book that contains a world of mystical lands and magical creatures that wage the wars of good and evil even between the pages of a novel, a book that Mo believes his wife, Resa (Sienna Guillory) vanished into when Mo first read to Meggie as a baby – Inkheart.
Mo possesses the extraordinary gift of bringing the words on a page to life, however, like all great things, his ability comes with a deadly catch: when elements or characters of a book are read out loud, someone from our world must go in. Unfortunately for Mo, his abilities are sought after by Capricorn (Andy Serkis), the evil antagonist of “Inkheart” who’s hell bent on using Mo to read out his like-minded ally “The Shadow” in an attempt to conquer the world.
Thus begins an exciting journey where two worlds collide in unexpected ways, including the revelation that Meggie possesses the same unique gift that her father bears burden to.
Like any book to film adaptation, the content of “Inkheart” has been molded to favor the big screen, instead of staying true to the written word. Details or errors, including Meggie reading out Toto from “The Wizard of Oz instead” of “Tinkerbell” as written in the book, will seem incredibly blatant and perhaps sacrilegious to devoted fans of Ms. Funke’s series.
Others who remain unfamiliar with the book will enjoy the adventurous story that director Iain Softley, whose previous credits include “The Wings of the Dove” and “K-PAX,” has to offer. Screenwriter David Lindsay-Abaire worked closely with Funke to develop the screenplay and advised Abaire to not feel restricted by the contents in the book.
The credit in making “Inkheart” as much a pleasure to watch as it is to read, goes to director of photography Roger Pratt (“Harry Potter,” “Troy,”), production designer John Beard and costume designer Verity Hawkes as well as Oscar-nominated composer, Javier Navarrete (“Pan’s Labrynith”).
The breathtaking cinematography including visual effects, scenery, stunts as well as beautiful locations like the Italian Riviera lend itself to a story of epic proportions such as this. The literary theme is undeniably refreshing, especially when its targeted towards a younger audience who might have an unfavorable view of reading, as is the cameo appearances by several notable literary characters, including the flying monkeys from “The Wizard of Oz,” the ticking crocodile from “Peter Pan,” Huckleberry Finn’s raft, Rapunzel and a Minotaur.
What “Inkheart” lacks however, is character development, especially Brenden Fraser’s “Mo,” although Funke insisted on casting Fraser from the get go. Fraser, with previous credits including the “Mummy” franchise, is no stranger to fantasy-adventure films, but comes across one-dimensional, boring and directionless. In
Andy Serkis’ portrayal of the conniving, purely rotten Capricorn deserves praise, as Serkis is comfortable with complex characters after providing the voice of Gollum in the “Lord of the Rings” film adaptations.
Paul Bettany as Dustfinger, a fire eater who is trying to find his way back to his on- and- off screen wife, Jennifer Connelley, within the familiar world between the pages of “Inkheart” is believable and possibly one of the only in depth and multifaceted characters in the film. Eliza Hope Bennett’s Meggie is relatable and quite charming, although she isn’t on screen nearly as much she should be.
Helen Mirren’s portrayal as rabid book lover Aunt Elinor is fair although she’s hard to remember, as is Jim Broadbent as “Inkheart” author Fenoglio. “I prefer a story that has the good sense to stay on the page where it belongs,” proclaims Aunt Elinor, and although it might be unfair to say that this story should have followed that same philosophy, Inkheart’s central message – that the incredible power of storytelling sometimes transcends reality- comes across well enough for the average movie go-er to enjoy, however reading the book might be a far better option, it usually is.
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YOU GOTTA BE FUCKING KIDDING ME.
BUT BACK TO MY RANT!!!
WHERE THE FUCK IS THE BSG REVIEW ALREADY!!!?????
I HAVE TO GO TO OTHER SITES, AND DISCUSS IT WITH PEOPLE I DON"T KNOW OR LIKE!!!!
COME THE FUCK ON MANIA, BESIDES YOUR NEW CLUTTERED DESIGN MAKING THE SITE SLOW AS MOLASSES IN JANUARY,
I'M A GRAPHIC DESIGNER, SOMETIMES LESS IS MORE! ADDING AN UGLY BACKGROUND FOR THE SAKE OF YOUR DESIGNERS EGO, AT THE COST OF SERIOUSLY SLOWING DOWN THE SITE, THATS STUPID. AND IT LOOKS LIKE A MYSPACE PAGE.
YOU"RE SERIOUSLY DROPPING THE BALL!!!!!
ALMOST A WEEK WITH NO BSG REVIEW???!!!
How am I gonna hear Hanso talk about Helo's pipi?