| Pam LaRose |
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At our house the release of Disney’s latest classic has been an eagerly awaited event. Our first contact
with the “Black Cauldron,” in 1985 was not through the film or even the book, but an early computer
game from Sierra. We struggled our way through swamps and mountains. We cast magic spells and found enchanted hide-a- ways, made friends with a princess and out-witted witches. Finishing the game took a long time. (I hate to admit how long, but one of the boys, who was a baby when we started, was old enough to help out when we finally conquered it!) Never having seen the film or read the book, by Lloyd Alexander, on which it was based put us a real disadvantage Last week we finally were able to see the film which inspired the game. The whole family watched it, children from 6 to 19 years old. The story of Taran, an assistant pig keeper who wishes to be a hero, and his quest to protect Henwen, the ocular pig, from the evil, and more then a little scary, Horned King is one of great courage, showing, in the end, where the greatest values lies. The film is a more dark then most Disney offerings, with a PG rating it is not suitable for young or sensitive children. The older children enjoyed it very much though the younger ones covered their eyes in the frightening parts. There are none of the musical numbers we have come to expect with Disney, but the animation is exceptional. If you enjoy fantasies such as the “Hobbit” you will not want to miss this one. Just be sure to have plenty of “munchings and cruchings” on hand! |
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