There is one word that could be used to sum up this film: nice.

Rating: 10/10 (14 October 2005)

This film is just a pleasure on the eyes to watch. The number of amusing characters like the soots (those little friendly comical squeaking black balls of ash). The art style used was brilliant as well, including great backgrounds. The music it self was the part that makes the film, I say. The tune that plays when they are in the train is the best. But mainly the music is so calm and can make you feel very relaxed, it could even bring a tear to your eye if you're that sensitive. First time seeing it, it is quite scary especially at the beginning when the sun sets and after they are off the train. The story is great as well and not so weird as to confuse you. Although saying these things the film is fantasy and if you don't like fantasy, you won't like the film which is a shame as it is so very good. The main plot (family moving to new home father wants to take a look around is turned into a pig along with his wife, young daughter has to save the day) feels as though you've seen it being used somewhere before. But that doesn't matter as the rest of the film makes up for it. Children Will love it as well as adults. The amount of clever ideas used never seems to end as a world where anything can happen (not to sound cheesy or anything) and unlike films you get here, the fact that the weird things are left unexplained as to what they are or how they came to be get rid of boring scenes of characters trying to explain these things and taking up good film time. Forget the nead to ask: why? and just sit back watch one the best films you will ever see.