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the audience applauded

It's no definitive masterpiece but it's damn close.

There's no way I can possibly love it entirely but I just think its ridiculously bad, but enjoyable at the same time.

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

I only first saw this movie a few months ago, and I've got to say it really is a mixed bag. I've not yet finished the book in which this movie is based on so I'll judge this movie on it's own. First I must talk about the animation. The animation starts off pretty good, not Disney quality but it's passable. However it's one of those animated movie, you know the one where the quality seems to get worse as the movie goes on. Those kind of movies really bother me. I know animated films are painstakingly hard to make but I just feel this approach is lazy. But a good story is a good way to cover some flaws, and how is that? The story is actually good, it's well paced, it ties up the loose end and it managed to do so with an 80 minute running time. Not to mention this is the story that really helped influence Tolkien and C.S. Lewis to right The Hobbit and Narnia. So props to that. With that said a good story can't be saved unless it has good characters to carry it through and this is were it gets mixed. First things first, the Goblins. Everyone knows goblins are the most devious creatures of all fantasy, how are they portrayed in the movie? How do I put this nicely.... THEIR ANNOYING!!!!!!!! Seriously goblins are versatile, open to many possibilities but this movie decided to go to lowest denominator. The supporting characters are not very good either, the guards, the nanny etc. are very annoying. Fortunately to the movie's credit the two leads Princess Irene and Curdie are actually likable. They share a cute chemistry and you do want to route for them. In conclusion The Princess and Goblin is lukewarm, A good well paced story with two likable leads, but annoying supporting characters and inconsistent animation. So in the end I'm glad I saw it, but I won't be rushing to see it anytime soon.

animation doesn't always have to be done on the level of Disney or Spielberg to be good. ever since UPA Animation Studios made the scene back in the 50's with Gerald McBoing Boing and Mr.Magoo, they rivaled Disney and full animation in terms of success, artistic vision and effectiveness. UPA proved that animation could be limited and low budget and still compete successfully. they changed the look and face of animation ever since.except for a few films like 'Yellow Submarine', 'Little Nemo in Slumberland' and the amazing works of Miyazaki, feature length animation isn't always as effective or as watchable for the same length as Disney accomplishes with their 90 minute animated features. critics once said when Disney's 'Snow White' was being made that "nobody will want to sit through a feature length animated cartoon". it's always been believed that that claim was debunked by Disney's success. i'm not so sure that was totally debunked. i love feature length animation but sometimes i find it difficult to get involved with animation that is much longer than 70 minutes. though Disney is the most successful, even Disney animated features like 'Tarzan' and 'Hunchback of Notre Dame' can seem a bit too long.Hemdale did a great job with 'Princess and the Goblins'. it is a very modest feature, sometimes a bit underwhelming, but it is amusing and sustains it's length of 80 minutes well. it is also a good enough adaptation of MacDonald's children's classic.there are times, like in the animation of the flooding water, where the animation reveals it's limitations. however the film often makes up for it's short comings with good graphics in it's backgrounds.it also manages to be a good, wholesome film for little children. the dedication at the end of the film, "to babies everywhere", is appropriate and sincere. it's a film to be treasured for the very young.

Okay, this movie isn't Disney. The character development is flawed to say the least but this is a good movie overall, considering what they had to work with. The only thing I really disliked about this movie was some of the writing. Irene would sometimes be shown to be pretty tough... then she'd turn into a complete idiot. Same with Curdie, but even more because he was supposed to be tough. And then he seems to forget to be consistent. This is evident when he's captured in the middle of the movie by the goblins and tries to sing to save himself. But then he seems to forget to keep singing, thus helping them capture him.And the music. The song they got was absolutely wonderful. It captures the story really well. Unfortunately, not only is it the only song in the movie, but it's repeated over and over again.That's the bad, but the good is still there. It is entertaining and sweet. I wouldn't recommend it for the older crowd but for kids, it's a pretty good movie and not one they'll be embarrassed about liking when they get older. The plot is good and the voice acting is great.

The Princess and the Goblin is a story about bravery and loyalty. This animated version features a lovely song, excellent voice acting and enjoyable animations. Curdie, the miner boy, sings a song with such haunting beauty that you feel the power in it (reminiscent of a soloist in the Vienna Boy's Choir). The song remains in your memory long after you watch the movie.From the beginning, the encounters with the goblins and the cobs are handled in an unexpected and amusing fashion.My family liked The Princess and the Goblin and we recommend it. This movie is refreshingly different from other animated fare, and it brought the 1872 book by George MacDonald to life.