This muddled adaptation of Cornelia Funke�s bestselling series of novels has the misfortune to come along just when the fashion for children�s fantasy adventure, at least in cinema, is on its last legs, with only the all-conquering Harry Potter left to get excited about.
Star rating: **
Dir: Iain Softley
With: Brendan Fraser, Paul Bettany, Helen Mirren
THIS muddled adaptation of Cornelia Funke's bestselling series of novels has the misfortune to come along just when the fashion for children's fantasy adventure, at least in cinema, is on its last legs, with only the all-conquering Harry Potter left to get excited about.
Which is a pity for director Iain Softley and his cast, who try their best to inject excitement into this tale of a girl whose father has the ability to bring the characters in books to life.
It doesn't help that this gift of his isn't explained properly until half way into the movie, by which point youngsters watching are likely to be thoroughly bored or totally confused.
Brendan Fraser of Mummy fame throws himself around a lot, while Helen Mirren, playing a wacky, motorcycle-riding aunt, indulges her liking for light comedy. The feeling, alas, is not mutual.
