SOMETHING WICKED THIS WAY COMES

If you read my reviews you will know my affinity for live-action Disney classics. 'Something Wicked This Way Comes' alluded me as a kid but having just watched it I can guarantee you it would have scared the living shit out of me. What a wonderful movie!! In a small Rockwellian town in the the 1950s a storm approaches and with it, during the darkness of night, a mysterious train arrives bringing a carnival. When morning arrives the town has carnie visitors, most notably Mr Dark, a tall and menacing ringleader. The two lead characters are 10 year old boys who sneak into the carnival and accidentally stumble upon Mr Dark's sinister plans. This is a smart movie that gives kids a whole lot of credit. Disney did this type of film so well back then and it seems that they've forgotten how to now. From a bloody decapitation of a child to a grotesquely desiccated corpse... this is a movie that genuinely frightens children and gives them a damn good time in doing so. Jonathan Pryce is fantastic as Mr Dark and Jason Robards lends a solid support as the only adult who realises whats happening. It was also written for the screen by the legendary Ray Bradbury based on his own book. That adds a huge level of cred and you can see very clearly that this story has influenced a lot of Stephen King's writing too. I wish I'd seen this when I was young but it's never too late and I think this is a brilliant gateway movie that will help kids ease themselves into a delicious world of horror.

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