The Canterville Ghost (2023) Review
This classic Oscar Wilde adaptation reunites Fry and Laurie alongside a fantastic voice cast in a spooky animated adventure. The poor ghost of Sir Simon Canterville has been roaming his castle searching in vain for a brave descendant who will release him from the Canterville curse by performing a brave deed. An American family moves in and finds the ghost amusing, but a young girl in the family can release him – if she dares.
Starring Freddie Highmore (CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY), Toby Jones (INDIANA JONES 5), Hugh Laurie (HOUSE M.D), Imelda Staunton (VERA DRAKE), Stephen Fry (V FOR VENDETTA), Miranda Hart (SPY) and Emily Carey (HOUSE OF THE DRAGON), THE CANTERVILLE GHOST is directed by Kim Burdon & Robert Chandler (THE AMAZING MAURICE) from a script written by Giles New (PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: THE CURSE OF THE BLACK PEARL) and Keiron Self (MY FAMILY).
THE CANTERVILLE GHOST kicks off promisingly, establishing a spooky vibe as the titular ghost does his best to scare the hell out of his victim. The animation is colourful and vibrant and the score is both playful and eerie when necessary. Unfortunately it doesn’t take long for the welcome gothic vibe to break with the introduction of a rambunctious American family complete with annoying offspring.
From that point on I found it all rather shrill and irritating as if it was determined that by having aggravating American caricatures this would endear itself to a much younger viewer than myself. Children may indeed lap it up, but unfortunately, as an older viewing, outside of the intended demographic it’s undoubtedly aimed at, I found it got the better of my tolerance threshold.
Fortunately, once the dynamic and main characters have been introduced things settle down, with the film’s second half proving more satisfying and appealing as we get to grips with the backstory to the ghost. THE CANTERVILLE GHOST will appeal to very young children but may leave accompanying adults wishing they were somewhere else.
Signature Entertainment presents The Canterville Ghost only in cinemas 22nd September
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