L'empire des elfes

Ah, what a shame! With a list of good names involved in this movie, you'd have hoped for a lot more. This straight-to-DVD release was the latest in the rather small line of 'fantasy adventure' films. The budget looks good - attracting many names including Anthony Head - of Buffy (and coffee) fame, Pasty Kensit (Lethal Weapon 2) and Jenny (Walkabout). The money has been spent on quite adequate costumes, and very well done effects. The best character is Big Mick - who's natural style of acting and down-to-earth charm makes this film watchable. Unfortunately, thats where the good news ends. The main characters don't bond well, and the acting from nearly all of the cast leaves a lot to be really desired. The plot, although beginning interestingly, soon dries up and becomes too linear, with a constant battle between the parent characters (who bring the mood down with every appearance) and the woodland adventurers (who try desperately to lift the mood back up again!) I love this genre, and would like to see more small budget creations. But this just isn't it. 'Dazzle' (a similarly produced film) fairs a little better.

Looks like this one could have been sat on a shelf for a couple of years judging by the age of Aaron Johnson - he was 17 in 2007 but looks no older than 12 here - and that really is where it should have stayed. Despite recognised names like Jenny Agutter, Patsi Kensit and Anthony Head, the feeling that this is some amateur's passion project is increased by the fact that the two child leads (other than Johnson) share the director/producer's surname. Boring doesn't even begin to describe it.

Considering all the talent involved in this movie, I was expecting something much better - something whimsical and charming. This isn't. The effects are diabolically bad, the costumes are awful, the acting leaves a lot to be desired but, worst of all, the story is a convoluted mess and as a result this is just plain boring. A big waste of time for kids and adults.

A magic Troll aims to defeat the Black Witch (Jenny Agutter) and find the magic door that will lead him home with the help of the elf Flip (Aaron Taylor-Johnson), and the boy Liam (Liam Matthews).

I was drawn to this film because it has Jenny Agutter, who I knew from "Logan's Run" and "American Werewolf in London". But it also has Anthony Head ("Buffy"), Aaron Taylor-Johnson (the Avengers movies) and a few others. This cast should be able to add some weight to the picture.

But no. the main kid (Liam) is not very good, and I think he might be the writer-director's son. So that is pretty lame. And beyond the weak kid and weak plot, we also have a video quality that might be lacking. The one on Netflix gets some crackling noises in it. I have used the service for years and never had that issue, so I feel it much be the film itself... ugh.

Every now and then I find a film that I would call charming. It does not have to be ground breaking, high art. I think there are some people, who do not have the ability to just have fun with a charming tale. Perhaps we have all lost our childlike innocence and can no longer enjoy a sweet story. I have read some reviews which do not rate it very high. Nevertheless, I loved it. I suppose it all has to do with expectations. Everything has to be bigger and better than anything else ever seen before. All the special effects have to be astounding. OK, this is not Lord of the Rings, Hunger Games, or Harry Potter but I still think it is a very nice movie. Both my husband and I watched it after just watching Hansel and Gretel, Witch Hunters. It was sort of refreshing and we both liked it.