Review of Neverwas (2005) by Lisa C — 26 Apr 2008
The dark doppelganger of Spiderwick Chronicles, this film could easily be the other half of the aforementioned. I could see both films as the alternate side of a ying and yang coin. First the title and name of the magical world, Neverwas, notice even the name of the world is even metaphorically alluding to the reality or non reality of the realm.
Is it real, or is it merely the conjurings of a dillusional man (Ian McKellen) wanting a bit of magic in the this dull world. This film is even complete with the scribblings of the book, colorful illustrations, bits of feathers and fairies, maps of the forests, etc.
The high contrast color palatte is also rich, but the subject matter is definately the darker and more "real world" based look at the phsychology of Neverwas's creator. However, this film's premise falls flat towards the end.
Aaron Eckhart's charcter was trying to discover more of why his father went mad, and that is never really fully explained. This film could have been a bit better, but maybe we just prefer the wonder and joy of the happier alter ego, Spiderwick, than to this sullen and flat forgotten brother.
This review of Neverwas (2005) was written by Lisa C on 26 Apr 2008.
Neverwas has generally received positive reviews.
Was this review helpful?
