Inkheart

“A story that opened a door between the real world and our imaginations.” – Co-Producer and Director Iain SoftleyWhat opened the Inkheart door for me was discovering swaggering-cool Matt King was in it. Upon further research, I found the movie features an ensemble cast that includes Brendan Fraser, Paul Bettany, Dame Helen Lydia Mirren DBE, Jim Broadbent, Rafi Gavron, Andy Serkis, Jamie Foreman, and newcomer Eliza Bennett. It’s hard for a production to fail with such a stellar cast; you can’t go wrong w/Bettany and Dame Mirren. So I sat down to watch and was pulled into the story before I knew it happened; it is engaging. (I am not familiar w/the 2003 young-adult fantasy Inkheart novel by Cornelia Funke on which this movie is based.)As Softley stated in his quote above, Inkheart opened my door between the real world and my imagination. The artwork, animation, and special effects were spectacular! The story had action, adventure, and chills from which nightmares are born. (The Shadow in particular was impressive, realistic, frightening.) It took a lot of hard work by many talented people to connect this film’s numerous elements to flow so gracefully and onto the screen – the epitome of escapism. I got the feeling the actors were having fun with their roles, which made it fun for me to watch. It also made me think: what if one could not read, thus opening the door to imagination? Parts of the world would be lost to one, as would many of the literary references in this story. Finally, there is a moral to this tale: “Man is the measure of all things … the ultimate source of value”.I have since purchased the film and enjoy it often at my pleasure.

Not sure how I missed this film when it first came out, as I'm a fan of Brendan Fraser. Rented it recently and absolutely loved it -- If you're a book enthusiast already, I think there's an extra level of appreciation, as voracious readers know that good books take on a life of their own. But if you have a child who is perhaps a little reluctant towards reading for fun and enjoyment, this film might get them to look at books in a new light.Good performances - and watching this in 2021, it's interesting to see actors who've gone on to very well-known careers (such as Paul Bettany and Andy Serkis) in a role from thirteen years ago; they look so young!There are some oddities in the film -- why does the daughter speak with a British accent when she was raised all over the world with an American father, and was too young when her mother disappeared for her mother's British accent to affect her speech, for example. But it is a fantasy, so put your brain on hold and enjoy it for what it is.

I entered this movie like I enter the books I read...patiently, with excitement, waiting for a story to unfold and enfold me. This movie fit the bill. I bought the Cornelia Funke novel for $1 at a garage sale, and about a hundred pages in, I knew I had to see the movie. I expected very little, and received a lot. I'm confused by the reviewers who say that the plot concept "doesn't make sense." Well, if sense for you means Donald Trump running for president and Kim Kardashian being a role model, then I guess it wouldn't. The logic of fantasy is being swept up in a tornado, or lost in a labyrinth with a dangerous mutant monster....it's the world of "What If." What if you read a book aloud, and the characters actually came out of it? That's the premise, that's the sense of it -- the imagination. Very much in the line of The Neverending Story which I bought in an airport to read on a flight and fell in love with. Flight? What flight? I was immersed. With an amazingly brilliant cast...watch for Jennifer Connelly in a small but significant role...she says more with one look from her eyes than most can with ten thousand words. Brendan Fraser is good as the confused, angry, guilt-ridden father...best role I've seen him in since Monkeybones. Helen Mirren is sheer delight as Elinor, the crotchety book loving great aunt. Andy Serkis...pure genius. The rest of the cast keeps up the pace as well. Maybe not of the same caliber as say, Pan's Labyrinth, but damned close.

I do not understand how almost no one likes this movie. It's brilliant! I first saw it at a pre-screening (the night before the release date). I fell in love with it. It's so epic and well made and the cast is perfect.Please watch this movie. Don't listen to the people who dislike it. It's got depth and scope and beautiful scenery and the visual effects are top notch. The score is amazing.This movie should have been huge when it released. SO underrated.

Great acting, poor writing. Wonderful concept, woefully executed. There is no better way to say it than to say what the star reviews reflects: it is okay.

Definitely nerve racking how much panic is in this movie.A lot more could've been done with the "Read things into Existence" mechanism, but it was wasted.Almost a "B" Movie, but there are some redeeming elements.A decent movie to watch with kids, I think, but not very entertaining, overall.

Movie was in great playable condition and to those who never read the books it was a enjoyable movie. But they essentially did to this what they did to Eragon and Vampire Academy (both really awesome and enjoyable successful book series, Vampire academy has multiple series following the first) they changed up so many details and added stuff that didnt match up to the book the movie was ultimately unenjoyable and almost couldn't watch it to the end. Not sure why Hollywood producers choose such awesome book series to tank as movies just to make other movies coming out at the same time look even better. Its infuriating.

It is a movie so there's perspective and destination in mind when I totally enjoyed this look on how not just a writer, a reader can bring life to the words in a book even if that book is evil. There will be that one to deal with the aftermath to fix the situation, to make things right as in the ending of this brilliant movie.

Exciting and thought provoking. The acting drew me into the plot and although it may have to compete with the multi dollar Hobbit films, holds its own in a dignified way. I have also read the book and the following two in the trilogy and found it to be very respectful to the author Cornelia Funke. So good I viewed it thrice :) Most memorable performances for me were by Brendan Fraser (Mo) and Andy Serkis (Capricorn) although all the cast were perfect for their parts.

We lost our original copy of this movie some years ago, and lately my partner had been searching local charity shops regularly looking for this film.I found this and had to order it for!Disc was in new condition played as it should.She was very happy with it

So disappointing. I really wanted to like the movie because I love the books so much, and I thought seeing it on screen would be awesome. Sadly this movie doesn't deliver on any level. My advice is to read the books instead. That's every penny well spent. It's a gripping trilogy. Such a shame. I can't imagine any other than Paul Bettany playing Dustfinger but not even a good actor can make a bad script work.

This arrived on time, this was as appeared, albeit appearances can be decieving. Unfortunately it did not work and thus showing not so good. Sorry but this only got 2 stars from me based on the service, nothing on the item.

This is a story about a man who can make characters come alive when reading a story aloud. There is a consequence to this, however, as he finds out when reading a story to his daughter. When the evil character, Capricorn, is read out of a book, this is an exchange for his wife, who is read into the book. The story is about how, many years later, he and his daughter rescue his wife and manage to extinguish the evil characters. I really enjoyed the film although the book had the edge as I felt the impact of some of the characters' actions were lost in the acting. But definitely worth watching.