Johnny and the Dead

Johnny and the Dead is the second of (so far) three Johnny-Maxwell children's novels that Terry Pratchett has written. And it is easily my least favourite. The story centres around Johnny Maxwell and his friends, who for some reason begin to see the dead. No - forget Sixth Sense. This is not a serious or scary movie. The dead are merely unhappy, because someone wants to build a parking lot or shopping mall on their cemetery, and they are bound to stay there until all eternity, so they'd prefer it to remain a cozy cemetery forever.

Johnny and his friends get involved and try to rescue the cemetery. What is supposed to be a funny and lovable story about respecting and aiding your elders is just plain boring in this TV adaptation. I doubt kids will enjoy this TV movie (or series, depending on how you watch it) very much.

After just watching the entire series I am compelled to report. This is a series made with feeling for Pratchett's fine book of the same title. The casting was surprising and jolly well done. Brian Blessed tend to steal the show at times with his spirited portrayal of William Stickers, the last communist in a world without communists.

And the parts of the children might be even better than the new series about Johnny and the bomb. I especially liked Jo-less, who is absolutely true to the books. Though I had my doubts about the casting of Andrew Falvey as Johnny Maxwell, it dissipated through the course of the series; his performance during the public meeting was stunning.

Practically every line in the series was almost verbatim from the book, and the cemetery location was beautiful. It was (positively) surprising to see Mrs. Tachyon in the pub and later in the cemetery. Stanley Roundway is visible in the dance sequence, but had no other role here.

The only addition to the book are the strange (and almost disturbing) dream sequences of Johnny. It added, however, to the whole.

All in all, certainly recommended, but certainly for any fans of this Johnny book.