Thirty years after the earlier version, there is a new adaptation of Roald Dahl’s book The Witches from 1983. According to the reviews, despite the visual effects in this child-oriented film, the tone of the book does not fully stand out.
de Volkskrant – three stars
Director Robert Zemeckis adds a new layer by moving Dahl’s story to a segregated America, but his The Witches continues to use digital effects. With her extendable arms and floating ability, Hathaways witch turns into a fairground attraction. The animation of the mouse children looks poor. “
“Chris Rock may introduce and conclude the whole as the narrator’s voice of the now older grandson, but the comedian’s strongly incited presentation is difficult to reconcile with the timid kid in the film.”
“Which The Witches nevertheless pleasant, testifies to the power of Dahl’s story. How the British writer interweaves real childhood fears with the fantastic remains exceptional. In the book, and again in the film. “
The full review in de Volkskrant are you reading here.
The Telegraph – 3.5 stars
“The biggest attraction of this children’s horror, as in Roeg’s 1990 version, is the actress who gets to play the witch. After the brilliant performance of Anjelica Huston, it is now Anne Hathaway who pulls out all the stops. With a bold European accent. and a lot of feeling for theater, she also puts down a nice devilish diva. “
“The sordid and comical creepiness is further enhanced by modern trickery. Hathaway’s mouth, arms and voice can suddenly take on terrifying forms. The Witches is therefore not exactly made for delicate children’s souls. Although Zemeckis clearly focuses more on entertainment than terror. The noisy, adventurous music plays an important role in this. “
The full review in The Telegraph are you reading here.
Het Parool – does not give stars
“With her mouths splitting open and limbs stretching out, this film turns up the visual horror. But director Robert Zemeckis places that horror in a setting that never feels real.”
“As a result, this version of The Witches amused and scared, but never give that cold-shaking feeling that you might just meet a witch on the street. “
The full review in Het Parool are you reading here.
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