I'm guessing Casper, having been excited with the experience of working at Mortal Kombat franchise for the first time, decided to make a semi-'Mortal Kombatish' movie, of which he thought it would kinda be appealing both to kids (the adolescents anyway) and the adults. That said, the movie might have even worked had it been made in the late 80's/ early to mid '90s period, but at this era, it's just all too outdated, shallow and one-dimensional. Plus, the teenage girl-like fairies, sleeping princesses and daffy impostor-princes on one side and the gory scenes of head-ripping on the other side... well, don't actually go hand in hand.
I also fail to get it why Casper every so often has to cast his family into the movies he chooses to play in. Catherine, with all the due respect for her pedigree, isn't much of an actress, neither is Grace. Maya's acting was the family's saving grace, as she managed to yield the genuine impression of a frightened, and depressed, yet wickedly cunning little character... but then, the overall sluggish and uninspired aura of the movie didn't help her qualities shine through. While I envision Maya as a potential successful actress, she needs to get herself out of the poor production cinema. Unlike her mother, she actually does, if only in a form of hope, make me believe she is up to the high-rated, classic productions. The Sleeping Beauty is but the beginning, and she is young enough to perfect her talents and career to the level she is worthy of.
Someone on the discussion board was wondering why Finn Jones accepted to do the role. Maybe the crew, who sensed in the preproduction the movie would suck, thought a high class young actor would come up as a saving grace, just as they though Michael York's narration would yield the story as thrilling or at least bearable.
Generally, an averagely endearing pastime of a movie, but hardly something to be remembered, either among the critics or the audience.
I also fail to get it why Casper every so often has to cast his family into the movies he chooses to play in. Catherine, with all the due respect for her pedigree, isn't much of an actress, neither is Grace. Maya's acting was the family's saving grace, as she managed to yield the genuine impression of a frightened, and depressed, yet wickedly cunning little character... but then, the overall sluggish and uninspired aura of the movie didn't help her qualities shine through. While I envision Maya as a potential successful actress, she needs to get herself out of the poor production cinema. Unlike her mother, she actually does, if only in a form of hope, make me believe she is up to the high-rated, classic productions. The Sleeping Beauty is but the beginning, and she is young enough to perfect her talents and career to the level she is worthy of.
Someone on the discussion board was wondering why Finn Jones accepted to do the role. Maybe the crew, who sensed in the preproduction the movie would suck, thought a high class young actor would come up as a saving grace, just as they though Michael York's narration would yield the story as thrilling or at least bearable.
Generally, an averagely endearing pastime of a movie, but hardly something to be remembered, either among the critics or the audience.