A rather simplistic spin on the orphan fantasy tale we all know and love, Molly Moon
presents its pre-teen audience with the full cinematic package: action,
crime, drama, romance, comedy and a final touch of Christmas warmth,
coinciding with its winter release date.
This film contains an unnerving
abundance of child actors and banal dialogue such as “believe in
yourself” and “Molly Moon, the rotten bad apple!”. Casting a young girl
with supermodel looks to play someone described in the books as a plain,
potato-nosed child is predictable and a bit disappointing, but Raffey
Cassidy acts compellingly for her age, and is supported by an all-star
cast including the kindly Emily Watson, a delightfully treacherous Joan
Collins and Dominic Monaghan providing comic relief through awkwardly
slapstick writing.
Molly Moon, abandoned at birth, is a
rebellious girl growing up in an orphanage run by a cruel, unforgiving
headmistress (Lesley Manville). After being inexplicably aided by the
kind librarian (Anne-Marie Duff) in acquiring the Incredible Book of Hypnotism,
she realises, in a pleasantly spooky scene – staring at her own
magnetic eyes through the washing machine door – that she has the gift.
The young leading lady then proceeds to effortlessly con her way into a
chartered coach, a luxury hotel and international stardom. Ultimately,
Molly learns that love and friendship are the most valuable assets of
all and that cheating hurts everyone involved.
The picture does its best to keep its
audience captivated by skipping through scenery like pages in a
colouring book: from dreary orphanage to rustic English village to vivid
visions of central London and, finally, back to the orphanage, not so
dreary anymore after such unlikely adventures in the metropolis as
taking part in a bank robbery for Monaghan’s odd and unnecessary side
plot.
Youngsters may not notice plot holes, a roughly patched-together storyline or outdated special effects, but Molly Moon fails to create memorable characters and a whimsical alternate universe like other children’s live-action movies do (A Series of Unfortunate Events, Matilda, Paddington). It is, however, dynamic enough to keep parents awake and younger children entertained.
Verdict: 
Molly Moon and the Incredible Book of Hypnotism is released nationwide on 2nd December 2016.
Release date: December 2nd – theatrical and digital platforms + December 5th - DVD
Running time: 98 minutes
Certificate U
Molly Moon and the Incredible Book of Hypnotism is released nationwide on 2nd December 2016.Release date: December 2nd – theatrical and digital platforms + December 5th - DVD
Running time: 98 minutes
Certificate U
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