Levi shines brightest in dull fantasy
Another film, another choice of my daughter's (honestly I don't mind) and I had high hopes for Harold and the Purple Crayon, a 2024 fantasy based on the 1955 children's book by Crockett Johnson.
And with Shazam's Zachary Levi assuming the role of the titular character, all looked promising for a humorous and charming tale of a drawing coming to the 'real world' to find his 'old man.'
But I was disappointed!
Don't get me wrong, Levi is excellent in his comfort zone as a bumbling but well meaning individual completely oblivious to the fact that he, his two friends and his magical crayon is causing mayhem while all the time helping a young boy (Benjamin Bottani), who is struggling with life following the death of his father.
What follows is a pleasant but rather dull story of Harold, Moose (Lil Rel Howery) and latterly Porcupine (Tanya Reynolds) as they help Mel enjoy the delights of the purple crayon as Harold searches for whom he believes his dad while simultaneously driving Mel's mother, Terri (Zooey Deschanel) insane with his often innocently destructive behaviour.
Terri does come round to Harold's good heart as he tries to help her move on from her grief and once again take up her love of music and her talent for the piano.
Spoiler: she does!
The villain of the piece is assumed by Jemaine Clement, who plays librarian and frustrated author, Gary Natwick, whose determination to see his confusing novel become a huge success as well as win the heart of Terri, drives him to possess the purple crayon at all costs.
The ending was not a surprise as questions are answered and order restored as Harold returns to his world with greater understanding and Mel and Terri seem ready to move on with their lives.
Even Gary achieves his dream without destroying civilisation.
John's Judgement - 4/10
The pieces were all there, however the story, as well most of the actor's performances (Levi aside) didn't do anywhere near enough to make me truly care and may well be the reason Carlos Saldanha's live-action feature-length directorial debut underwhelmed at the box office.
Sketchy at best!
