Bedknobs and Broomsticks

Rating: 6/10 (17 December 2009)

It may have been a breakthrough in film-making, but this was not the breakthrough in film watching I was expecting. The CGI effects are no more convincing at mixing humans and animation than Bedknobs and Broomsticks or Mary Poppins. Closeup motion-capture for acting and some action is good, but obviously pure CGI animation for jumping, running and climbing still fails to convince. James Horner's over-familiar music covers this film like a really bad case of psoriasis. And Sam Worthington's leading performance is not only weak, I would go as far as calling it inept. A strong, distinctive voice and expressive face are waaaaay beyond this limited actor. Zoe Saldana saves the movie in acting terms.
**MILD SPOILER**
Everyone else is risible including Giovanni Ribisi whose character is possibly set up for the sequel.