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Movie Reviews

Horrid Henry The Movie

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Reviewed by Lewis Filer

Released: 29th July 2011

Directed By: Nick Moore

Starring: Theo Stevenson, Anjelica Huston, Richard E Grant

Certificate: U

So, I admit I am 24 years of age and decided to watch Horrid Henry (just for the Noel Fielding cameo who I am a big fan of) and can honestly say, I was pleasantly surprised. The big-screen adaptation of Francesca Simon‘s Horrid Henry series is a real treat and a great film for the kids this summer.

The film is based on the award winning book series of the same name and features quite a brilliant line-up of talent. Directed by Nick Moore (Full Monty, About A Boy, Love Actually) and written by Lucinda Whiteley(who wrote for the Horrid Henry tv series alongside Simon)

The film sees our main character Henry, (brilliantly played by newcomer Theo Stevenson) face a new threat and do the one thing he never would have done….. save his school. Henry’s school, Ashton Primary, is on the verge of closing down after head teacher of expensive primary school Brick House School, Vic Van Winkle played by Richard E. Grant (Gosford Park, Bram Stokers Dracula) conjures up a dastardly plot to make his school the only school for kids by paying hotel inspectors to fail all other schools in their inspections. Teaming up with his partners in crime “The Purple Hand Gang”, arch nemesis Moody Margaret and his little brother Perfect Peter, played by Scarlett Stitt and Ross Marron (both newcomers to the big screen) the gang must come up with a plan to save the school or face a boring life in Brick House School.

The vast array of well-known actors and actresses present is brilliant. From Henry’s terrifying teacher, Miss Battleaxe superbly played by Anjelica Huston (The Addams Family series, The Witches), his parents played by Matthew Horne (Gavin And Stacy, Lesbian Vampire Killers) and Siobhan Hayes (My Family), the genuinely scary tv show presenters played by well known real life kids tv presenters Dick and Dom, to the smaller but no less important cameos such as talent show host Ed Banger played by Noel Fielding (The Mighty Boosh, The I,T Crowd), comedienne Jo Brand as the Demon Dinner Lady, Headmistress Ms Oddbod played by comedienne Rebecca Front (Nighty Night, The Thick of it) and Prunella Scales (Fawtly Towers) and Kimberly Walsh (Girls Aloud). There isn’t a scene that goes by where you wont be saying to yourself “Oh look who it is”.

Emphasis has been given on the fact that it is the first British kids film to be show in 3D. The 3D is surprisingly very good, and the vibrant colourful world of Horrid Henry is highly enhanced with it.

 The soundtrack is what you would expect from any film of the ‘Trouble-making child’ genre but highlights include the performance of Henry’s band, the “Zero Zombies” and Henry’s music video during the credits.

 There has been lots of negativity surrounding this film, comparing it to other summer blockbusters such as the final Harry Potter, and Cars 2 and other recent releases, which isn’t fair in the slightest. No it won’t please the entire family, maybe some adults who will be reminded of their childhood by the ‘Dennis the Menace’ type of comedy that there is, but the younger kids will absolutely love it. The on screen antics of a naughty child, the gross out gags and genuinely nice feel about the film make it actually pretty decent and will entertain all kids under 10 years old and is a great way to keep them quiet for 2 hours.

Horrid Henry is a brilliant film for fans of the series or for newcomers to Henry’s naughty capers. Kids will love it but adults will find it very childish, but if it keeps the kids quiet then that’s the small price to pay. It’s not quite “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” but it has done its homework in keeping up with the continuity of the books and series, deserving of a gold star from Miss Battleaxe.

25 year old film fanatic who loves rock music, Xbox and cat videos on Youtube. I also tweet @lewisvstheworld

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