Review of The Secret of Moonacre (2009) by I'm El Capitano! A — 20 Jan 2009

Csupo again displays an admirable patience, holding back or playing down his effects shots and instead focusing his efforts on superior costume, production design and cinematography: as in his previous film, he finds plenty to marvel at in the woods around the heroine's new home.

.. Richards - fiery and inquisitive in ill-fitting hoop dresses - is allowed to be more interesting than she ever was in "The Golden Compass", and if Stevenson has little to do save burp and step in horse poo, there are at least two examples of faultless casting: Curry as a jowly dark knight who shows up on horseback whenever the pace is flagging, and McElhone as a preternaturally beautiful princess.

It'll probably play better with girls than boys, but it joins "Terabithia" and "The Spiderwick Chronicles" on that very select list of well-told live action features of recent years.