DISCLAIMER: This blog is not for profit. All images and
footage used are property of their respective companies unless stated
otherwise. I do not claim ownership of this material.
As an adaptation of Ransom Riggs’ young adult novel, Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children couldn’t be better. Both the book and the film focus on a house in a 1940s time loop, which is a safe place for children with extraordinary abilities.
Some book purists may deride the (admittedly numerous) changes made to the plot and characters.
But they are all most certainly to the
film’s overall benefit, either making it more visually interesting, or allowing
the story to stand on its own two feet on the big screen. Essentially, it is a
masterclass in how to adapt a book effectively, as it keeps to the spirit of its
source material whilst changing aspects that wouldn’t have worked had they been
kept in. Much of the exposition also feels very natural, which is refreshing.
There is some fantastic cinematography, as Tim Burton’s
visual style really suits the more gothic aspects of the book. At the same
time, there is a lot of brighter lighting in the house itself, perfectly
mirroring its warmth.
Whilst the score is not outstanding overall, it does have
its moments. This is particularly obvious in the film’s brilliantly effective
opening sequence, which builds and builds with various images related to the
book and the film, but ultimately culminates in the protagonist’s ordinary life,
setting up the story very well.
Eva Green feels fresh off the page as Miss Peregrine, striking
a good balance between being authoritative, motherly and slightly batty.
However, there is a bit of a wasted opportunity present, as Judi Dench, who is
cast within the film, would have made a brilliant Miss Peregrine, even more
accurate to the book.
The kids also do a good job- and Asa Butterfield gives a
slightly generic performance, but he is by no means terrible. This could also
be a result of the slightly dull protagonist he is playing. Jacob, the teenager
who discovers the house, is not the most interesting of characters, as he is
designed to be the audience’s way into this world, rather than an interesting
character on his own, but this does make him rather underdeveloped. On the other
hand, Samuel L. Jackson is clearly having a fantastic time hamming it up as the
resident ‘big bad’, doing a great job as one of the most entertaining
characters in the film.
One other minor complaint relates to some pacing issues. The
third act, whilst entertaining on its own, is dragged out far too long within
the film’s overall context. It would have really benefitted from certain
elements being cut down or taken out entirely.
However, overall Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children is a
wonderful film, brilliantly adapted and with great cinematography.
