First off: As usual, the book is better than the film.
That aside, the film is quite good on its own.
When Walt Disney developed the first Disneyland, he had a section called "Hometown, USA." It was the main street of a 1930s era small town, with shops, etc., common of the era. The film is set in the same time period, in a "home town" of the sort found in that first theme park.
From the evocative opening scene with the film titles, a dark shadow is cast upon that innocent town. With the coming of Cooger and Dark's Pandemonium Carnival and Circus, some of the town's citizens undergo changes. Maleficent ones.
The two protagonists, Will and Jim, are perfect ages to enjoy the glittering lure of a carnival, and they explore it. In the process, they come to a realization that there is more to the carnival than one sees on the surface, and that Mr. Dark is dark indeed.
Will's father, a librarian, pieces it out further, and as an older adult, sees even more clearly what Mr. Dark is up to. Yet he has a weakness that Mr. Dark tries to exploit. The confrontation between the two, in the library is a high point in the film.
But the film is a Disney film, limiting its imagery. The book has some clearly more disturbing scenes that couldn't go into the film. However, within those constraints, the film works well.
A good Hallowe'en film, if you're in the mood.
That aside, the film is quite good on its own.
When Walt Disney developed the first Disneyland, he had a section called "Hometown, USA." It was the main street of a 1930s era small town, with shops, etc., common of the era. The film is set in the same time period, in a "home town" of the sort found in that first theme park.
From the evocative opening scene with the film titles, a dark shadow is cast upon that innocent town. With the coming of Cooger and Dark's Pandemonium Carnival and Circus, some of the town's citizens undergo changes. Maleficent ones.
The two protagonists, Will and Jim, are perfect ages to enjoy the glittering lure of a carnival, and they explore it. In the process, they come to a realization that there is more to the carnival than one sees on the surface, and that Mr. Dark is dark indeed.
Will's father, a librarian, pieces it out further, and as an older adult, sees even more clearly what Mr. Dark is up to. Yet he has a weakness that Mr. Dark tries to exploit. The confrontation between the two, in the library is a high point in the film.
But the film is a Disney film, limiting its imagery. The book has some clearly more disturbing scenes that couldn't go into the film. However, within those constraints, the film works well.
A good Hallowe'en film, if you're in the mood.