Classics: A Review of The Witches By Lauren Ennis

 The moon is glowing bright and everyone is ready for a fright; Halloween is upon us once again. In all of cinema there is perhaps no ghoul, ghost, or monster as reviled, beloved, and recognizable as the witch. Even amidst the sassy teens, seductive sirens, and creepy crones that populate Halloween's cinematic covens few films capture the wickedness of witchcraft with the thrills and chills of 1990's The Witches. This Halloween spend your witching hour with The Witches if you dare.

The story begins with Luke learning about the existence of witches from his grandmother, Helga She tells him about her childhood in Norway, including the tale of how her neighbor was abducted by witches. She warns him that witches are real and hide in plain sight as they seek to rid the world of all children. When his parents are killed in a car accident Luke is entrusted to his grandmother's care. Soon after he moves in her she falls ill with diabetes, prompting the pair take a trip to the English seaside per her doctor's recommendation. Strange things start happening almost as soon as they arrive at their hotel, which is hosting a convention for the 'Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children'. When he accidentally witnesses the society's meeting Luke is horrified to learn that they are actually a coven of witches who are every bit as wicked, grotesque, and powerful as his grandmother described. He then sees them transform another boy, Bruno, into a mouse to demonstrate their plan to turn all of the children in England into mice. Before Luke can escape and reveal their plan the witches discover him eavesdropping and turn him into a mouse as well. It's then up to Luke, Bruno, and Helga to foil the witches plans and save the day before all of England's children are reduced to rodents.

From its first eerie lines The Witches sets itself apart from other family films. Rather than relating an uplifting adventure in which the hero follows their dreams the film instead relays a spine tingling supernatural thriller that will even have adult viewers on the edge of their seats. The film offers a refreshing respite from recent efforts which present witchcraft from a politicized, feminist, perspective in its unflinching portrayal of its truly wicked witches. The film also stands apart from more recent films that attempt to transform classic villains into misunderstood anti-heroes by not only acknowledging, but reveling in its witches' unbridled villainy. With the exception of a softened ending the film maintains the dark sensibility and cynicism of Roald Dahl's original novel and is all the better for it. Through its refusal to conform to the norms of mainstream family fare the film remains faithful to its original source material and shows a respect for its young viewers that is too often lacking in children's entertainment. The film's practical effects from Jim Henson's workshop are by turns adorable, disturbing, and never less than mesmerizing. The infamous witches convention and Luke's final triumph over the coven in particular remain the stuff of childhood nightmares and are guaranteed to leave viewers longing for the days before CGI. For truly bewitching viewing take flight with The Witches.

Grandma knows best

The by turns whimsical and unsettling world of Roald Dahl is brilliantly brought to life thanks to the work of the cast. Rowan Atkinson brings his signature dry humor to his performance as the hotel's concierge, Mr. Stringer. Charlie Potter is a delight as the gluttonous Bruno, whose haplessness makes him a perfect comic foil to the courageous Luke. Mai Zetterling is the grandmother that we all wish we had in her equal parts warm and steely turn as Helga. Jasen Fisher strikes an ideal balance between innocence and resilience in his performance as Luke. Even in the midst of uniformly excellent performances the film is dominated by Angelica Huston in her iconic turn as the Grand High Witch. Her performance is nothing short of a master class in villainy as she effortlessly alternates between understated elegance and blind rage in her dual performance as the Grand High Witch and her alias Miss Ernst.

Easily one of the most imaginative and terrifying films in all of family cinema The Witches is a wickedly delightful way to top off your Halloween. Through its dizzying visuals and daring script the film takes viewers on a journey into a dark fairy tale the likes of which only Roald Dahl could dream up. The superb performances bring the darkly whimsical tale to life and ensure that the story maintains its grounding even when the plot is at its most outlandish. For truly spellbinding Halloween viewing join Luke, Helga, and Bruno in The Witches.

Not just another pretty face