Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children

If I hadn't read the book, I probably would not be so critical, but this way I have to say that I was severely underwhelmed. I didn't understand why the screenwriter switched Olive and Emma's abilities, why no one realized that a torpedoed ship usually has a hole in the side through which water usually leaks in, and I certainly don't understand why a decent mystery horror film had to be rehashed into a mediocre comedy/mystery. Oh well. (08/24/2017)

It was seemingly inevitable for the idea of Ransom Riggs to merge with Tim Burton's imagination. The series dedicated to Miss Peregrine is based on a collection of specific photographs that evoke many associations in people, and that's why Riggs' publisher suggested that he complement these photographs with a specific story. At that time, Burton was slowly reevaluating his permanent team and retained only Eva Green from Dark Shadows. The result is a rejuvenated Burton in a fantasy style, less authorial, and more responsive to the changing tastes of contemporary youth. Yes, some elements wink at the once-famous "Burton-touch," but this time it's more Burton in the service of Riggs, although we briefly encounter the classic California suburb and shrubs shaped like dinosaurs reminiscent of the clumsy Edward Scissorhands. It's not a loss, but it's a compromise. I preferred Big Eyes more because it was truly a step forward, not to the side. (05/21/2024)

I haven't read the book(s), so I can't judge how much the film sticks to the source material or how much they ravaged it, so I went to see Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children with a clean slate. To begin with, I must say that I personally prefer Tim Burton's earlier films, which were brimming with memorable visuals and also a good dose of dark humour - Sleepy Hollow and Edward Scissorhands being good examples. That's not to say that this one was a bad film. Unlike other users, I didn't mind the fictional world presented in the film, (I was intrigued by the ymbryn characters and their ability to control time). As for the cast, they were mostly likeable, although most of the characters were given little space and were rather modestly introduced through their "weirdness". I was most amused by Samuel L. Jackson, who added to the film's subdued but still dark humour. Alongside this, I was pleased with the casting of Eva Green and Judi Dench (who was more of a cameo, though). I have to appreciate that the film also featured stop-motion animation, which is not seen much in movies these days – it could have been used in other places to make it feel more retro. The the monsters, which, as someone noted, looked like Slender Man, were properly scary, and their clash with the skeletons was really good. All in all, a film that may not be a pure four stars, but compared to Burton's Dark Shadows and Planet of the Apes, which I gave three stars, I still liked Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children better. (09/30/2016)

The premise is interesting, but this time Burton didn't figure out very well what age group he wanted the final product to appeal to. There are some shots that twelve-year-olds would struggle to breathe through, but most of the narrative feels like a more civil version of the overwrought Alice. The first two acts cannot be denied a magical atmosphere and loving craftsmanship, but the ending falls into a generic and stale sterile phase, where everything is readable in advance and therefore uninteresting in relation to the fate of the characters. Eva Green gets a punishingly short leash, and Jackson as the villain is a lot of fun (which is also the result of an unnecessary attempt at modern insight). The biggest impression, apart from the traditionally beautiful visuals, will be left by the eye-catching Ella Purnell, this girl is definitely worth watching in the future... 65% (01/29/2017)

I'm not a big fan of Tim Burton, Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children is the first film of his that I give an above average rating in 16 years. It has just the right magical, mysterious and fairytale aura that gets darker as it goes on. Eva Green is gorgeous, Samuel L. Jackson is amazing and the young Asa Butterfield is set to be an actor of the future. I liked the theme and the monsters, maybe it wouldn't have hurt to shorten the film slightly, but what the hell, I'm satisfied. More episodes are welcome. My only complaint might be the time loop, which is almost everywhere these days. 80% (11/05/2016)