MOVIE REVIEW: THE MISS PEREGRINE’S HOME FOR PECULIAR CHILDREN

After a family tragedy, a boy named Jake (Asa Butterfield) follows a series of clues that lead him to a mysterious orphanage on a remote Welsh island. There, he discovers a community of children with unusual abilities, and learns he is destined to protect them. Eva Green, Samuel L. Jackson, Kim Dickens, Allison Janney, Judi Dench, Chris O'Dowd, Rupert Everett, and Terence Stamp co-star. Directed by Tim Burton, Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children was adapted from Ransom Riggs' debut novel of the same name. ~ Daniel Gelb, Rovi

Director: Tim Burton

Cast: Eva Green, Asa Butterfield, Chris O'Dowd, Allison Janney, Judi Dench

Release Date: Sep 30, 2016

Rated PG-13 for violence and Peril and Intense Fantasy Action

Runtime: 2 hr. 7 min.

Genres: Action/Adventure, Family, Sci-Fi/Fantasy

Review:

Tim Burton’s newest film is a welcome return to his glory days as a director.  The book seems ready made for Burton and give a certain feel that works in the films favor.  The cast seems to be having a blast, for the most part, with a radiant Eva Green leading the way.  Green is always the most interesting person on screen and the film loses some pop when she’s not on screen especially during an extended absence in the final act.  Ella Purnell gives the best performance of the titular peculiar children.  It’s a shame her story and character isn’t fleshed out more.  Also not helping matters is the film’s male lead.  Asa Butterfield is possibly one of the blandest actors I’ve watched in a long time.  His line deliver is so stiff and uninspired that it almost feels like he might yawn in the middle of it.  On the other end of the spectrum is Samuel L. Jackson who’s so over the top that’s its jarring when he first shows up.  Its not good or bad just odd.  Equally odd is just how thinly written the villain is.  It’s a shame because with a better lead and more dynamic villain this might have been scratching the top tier of Burton films. 

B