Perhaps not unsurprisingly, given its troubled releases, I've never seen "The Black Cauldron" before. But it is on the old Disney Plus and, alphabetically was the highest film suitable to watch with my son, that I hadn't already reviewed, so, one lazy weekend, we fired it up. I have thoughts.
Taran (Grant Bardsley) learns that his pig has the power of foresight and, fearing that it will fall into the hands of The Horned King (John Hurt), is sent away to hide by his master Dalibem (Freddie Jones). Unfortunately, they are soon captured by the self-same King who is trying to find the location of the mythical black cauldron, which he wants to use to raise an undead army. Though they manage to escape and locate the cauldron themselves, the Horned King's minions are in pursuit.
Maybe because Disney lost faith in this project and ended up cutting out scenes but the story of this film it's where it's really lacking. There is the source novel to work from, but that seems to have been reduced to just meeting characters as they wander about and forming a team, but then not really doing much with it. Visually it's not very impressive (or at least this version on Disney Plus isn't that good). Though there are a few notable names in the cast, there isn't that much impressive work done in the vocal performances either.
Oddly I did feel like it repurposed effects and score moments from "Ghostbusters" but I don't seem to be able to find anyone else talking about that online.
I do feel that rather than making live action versions of their classic films, this is the sort of film that Disney should be revisiting and producing new film about. Imagine a life action version of this, authentic welsh actors and time to tell the stories properly. It has potential. This, however, whether through bad writing of the loss of faith in the project is a bit of a mess.
Taran (Grant Bardsley) learns that his pig has the power of foresight and, fearing that it will fall into the hands of The Horned King (John Hurt), is sent away to hide by his master Dalibem (Freddie Jones). Unfortunately, they are soon captured by the self-same King who is trying to find the location of the mythical black cauldron, which he wants to use to raise an undead army. Though they manage to escape and locate the cauldron themselves, the Horned King's minions are in pursuit.
Maybe because Disney lost faith in this project and ended up cutting out scenes but the story of this film it's where it's really lacking. There is the source novel to work from, but that seems to have been reduced to just meeting characters as they wander about and forming a team, but then not really doing much with it. Visually it's not very impressive (or at least this version on Disney Plus isn't that good). Though there are a few notable names in the cast, there isn't that much impressive work done in the vocal performances either.
Oddly I did feel like it repurposed effects and score moments from "Ghostbusters" but I don't seem to be able to find anyone else talking about that online.
I do feel that rather than making live action versions of their classic films, this is the sort of film that Disney should be revisiting and producing new film about. Imagine a life action version of this, authentic welsh actors and time to tell the stories properly. It has potential. This, however, whether through bad writing of the loss of faith in the project is a bit of a mess.