JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH

Animated. Voices of: Simon Callow, Richard Dreyfuss, Jane Leeves, Joanna Lumley, Susan Sarandon, David Thewlis, Miriam Margolyes. Written by Karey Kirkpatrick, Jonathan Roberts, Steve Bloom. Directed by Henry Selick. Rated PG.

Using the same brand of stop-motion animation displayed in TIM BURTON'S THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS, and for good reason, this quasi follow-up is a handsome piece of filmmaking. Unfortunately, liberties were taken with the beloved childrens' story. At least one adult I know had trouble following the plot as it intermingles fantasy and reality in a haphazard fashion. Had it been released before NIGHTMARE (which receives a wink in the new feature), it might have been hailed as something bold and creative. But now it's just an also-ran, bright with wonder but still pale when compared to its predecessor.


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