James and the Giant Peach

The art of making family movies has certainly undergone a radically change. It used to be there was a fairly distinct line of demarcation between films that were suitable for younger children and ones that adults would be able to tolerate. Usually adults would just drop the kids off or mentally zone out during films deemed family friendly. As technology changed and the methodology improved a wider range of options were made available to the family film maker. More important than the technological advancements the modern family films are not built on much more interesting stories. Just look at movies like ‘Wall-E’ and ‘Up’; not only were they listed among the best animated films of their respective release years they were serious contenders for the best film of the year, period. This trend may be intensifying in the last few years but it has been ramping up for awhile. In 1996 a film was released that help set the stage for the marvels around today. ‘James and the Giant Peach’ is such a film. This movie will delight the entire family literally from the members in the family in grade school to those with AARP membership cards in their wallets. Perhaps this trend is in response to the ever increasing sex and violence in films where the only place an adult looking for a kinder gentler type of movie has to turn to family fare for an evening’s entertainment. Whatever the cause the result is a better breed of film that anyone can readily enjoy. Of course it should come as no surprise that the studio in the vanguard of this movement is the Walt Disney Studio. After all they invented the feature length animated movie back in 1937 with ‘Sleeping Beauty’. Now they are soaring to new heights with their merger with ‘Pixar’ but even apart from that partnership Disney continues to be a powerhouse in this field.

At the heart of why ‘James and the Giant Peach works so well over such an incredibly broad range of ages is the author of the source book, Roald Dahl. His name is practically synonymous with literary excellence. He is the author of many short stories some used for anthology series like ‘Alfred Hitchcock Presents’. For his work in children’s literature his forte is presenting the story from the child’s point of view frequently with the adults particularly parents in an adversarial position. While these factors are far from unique in this genre Dahl’s genius was in how he never comes across as insulting to the grown up members of the audience. Charged with the task of transforming this beloved children’s novel into a script fell to someone with suitable experience; Karey Kirkpatrick. She has a long list of Disney screenplays illuminating her resume encompassing both live action and animated films. Her works include ‘The Spiderwick Chronicles’, ‘Chicken Run’, and ‘The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy’. Directing this film was Henry Selick who also directed the very strange but beautifully crafted ‘The Nightmare before Christmas’. With a foundation like this the movie has already taken its place on the listing of classic family movies. Disney has recognized this fact with a Blu-ray special edition that will entertain for many years to come.

James Henry Trotter (Paul Terry) is a young boy with an unlimited imagination. Unfortunately it is frequently stunted by his guardian aunts, Spiker (Joanna Lumley) and Sponge (Miriam Margolyes). Let’s face it; with names like those for his Aunties the poor lad didn’t have much of a chance. One of James most persistent dreams is to seek a place where life can free of such restrictive authority figures. In James’ fertile imagination that wondrous place is New York City; I guess he never went on the Subway. Prior to their untimely death his parents would regale James with stories of New York planting many a pleasant dream in his mind. The entire first act of the film is live action before it smoothly slides into stop action animation. One day started out like any other until James is approached by a mysterious stranger. He offers James what he purports to be magical crocodile tongues with the power to make the boy’s life better. On his way home James stumbles spilling the ‘tongues’ at the base of an old peach tree. The next day a single peach has spouted which quickly grows to unbelievably large dimensions. With some trepidation James ventures into it only to find and befriend several creatures; Grasshopper (voice of Simon Callow), Centipede (voice of Richard Dreyfuss), Ladybug (voice of Jane Leeves), Earthworm (voice of David Thewlis), Spider (voice of Susan Sarandon) and Glowworm (voice of Miriam Margolyes). Adding to the lad’s surprise is each of these normally tiny creatures is now significantly larger than he. When Centipede cuts the stem of the fruit it rolls towards the ocean beginning an adventure for all of them. Miss Spider uses her silk webs to allow a huge flock of seagulls to lift the peach aloft. The adventures come nearly nonstop on their way to New York providing a roller coaster ride for the viewers.

The Blu-ray package is fantastic. The video never looked better but its more than just the higher resolution the animation is smother, more realistic than before. The colors now fully match the imagination giving a greater experience than previously was possible. The new lossless audio gives a sound stage that fills the room with the slightest effect audible. This two disc set features a game built around Aunt Spike while the second disc, in standard DVD is perfect for road trips.

Posted 07/31/2010