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14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Words from the wise, Mar 21 2008
Terry Pratchett fans long waited for the transformation of Discworld tales into visuals. Computer games, animations and stage productions were all right in their place, but film adaptations are the mark of success. Pratchett resisted adaptations because most producers "didn't get it". Vadim Jean "got it" and has made the story of "Hogfather" into a fine film presentation. As a TV production, there are limitations and omissions, but these do not detract from the success of Jean's efforts to bring Pratchett's story of intrigue, power and imagination to the small screen.
But what of the newcomer to Pratchett and his Discworld? Will they gain the same satisfaction from the visual presentation of one of the more compelling [and best-selling] authors of the past generation? The DVD opens with a Bang. Not a very Big one, but enough to discharge a wondrous sight - a disc sitting atop four elephants who stand on the carapace ["shell"] of a giant tortoise. The vision certainly imparts the feeling that something unusual will follow. Which it does: a young governess is reading "Jack And The Beanstalk" to a pair of youngsters on Hogswatch Eve. Tucking them in, Susan notes: "If you don't believe in the Hogfather, there won't be any presents." It is the film's key statement.
For the Hogfather has gone missing. This may be because the Auditors of the Universe, who resent life and loathe humans because they're unpredictable, have commissioned Guild of Assassins to have the Hogfather "brought to an end". The Guild's Head assigns the job to a young Assassin, Mister Teatime ["Tee-ah tim-eh, most people get it wrong, Sir."] who has already devised a plan to accomplish it. Teatime gathers a team to put his plan into effect. This scheme starts by kidnapping the Tooth Fairy. Wot?
Meanwhile, across town, the wizards of the Unseen University are experiencing some bizarre events. Strange new beings enter their lives - not entirely strange, however, since they all seem to represent tales of their childhood. Among the wizards is one who has constructed HEX, a "thinking machine". You can tell what it is from the label "Anthill Inside" pasted on one side. Archchancellor Ridcully is suspicious of such devices, but thinks he can make HEX do his bidding by mere shouting.
Throughout these events, an Anthropomorphic Personification, known as Death, feels an imbalance in the universe. Discovering the Hogfather has failed to go out on his rounds delivering gifts, Death dons a red suit, a false beard and, with his assistant Albert, undertakes the role. Death is interested in humans, finding their habits and prejudices fascinating, and he wants to know more about them. The rituals of Hogswatch [Christmas] are but one aspect. Those rituals extend from deep time and are thereby fundamental. Resolution of the Hogfather's disappearance and the Teatime Gang's invasion of the Tooth Fairy's castle are gently woven into the film's concluding scene. There are many threads and the novice Discworld viewer will note there are many levels to the story. That's what turns the first Discworld encounter into a habit.
There are "big names" in this film - listed lead David Jason does a fine job as Albert, while Ian Richardson's voice of Death is peerless. The surprise here is Michelle Dockery, who picks up this film early and keeps it essentially hers throughout. She is relatively unknown, but won't be after this. As a robed "skellington", Death is hardly visually appealing, but Richardson's inflections on Pratchett's text keep us smiling. Unlike many "fantasy" or SciFi films, "Hogfather" relies on little in the way of "special effects beyond Death's character. Some snow stops falling and a few sparkling things are used, but the story is too straightforward to need extra dazzlement. As with Pratchett's stories it's the characters and what they tell us that counts. Watch this and see. [stephen a. haines - Ottawa, Canada]
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
in love with Death, May 22 2008
As a long time discworld addict, I was prepared to forgive almost anything from someone who was brave enough to bring 'Hogfather' to life, but it turned out there was nothing to forgive. Vadim Jean has captured the spirit of the story perfectly even though he was forced to omit many wonderful scenes and details that didn't make it from book to movie. My seven year old son has become extremely fond of Death (not death!), which is a testament to the genius of Terry Pratchett, Ian Richardson (THE VOICE) and the others involved, the Grim Reaper is not usually such a sympathetic character. The movie may not make perfect sense to a non-Disworld fan, but certainly will pique his/her interest in the rest of the series. Most of the characters, especially Susan and the assassin Teatime were pitch-perfect. Even the actor playing Nobby Nobbs got the personality down, although Nobby's unique physical characteristics would be almost impossible to duplicate without CG effects. I am looking forward to the next live-action adaptation of the Discworld.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Family Treasure, perfect for the Holidays, Jul 29 2008
I know this starts out wrong, but please bear (bare) with me ;)
I've only read the first Terry Pratchett's novel, Color of Magic, and quite frankly, I read the first chapter or so and let it sit for a 1/2 to 3/4 of a year. Once I picked it up again, however, the pages flew by and I finished it quite promptly. It was an extremely colorfull depiction of an alternate universe that had very close ties to our own. Of course, being fantasy, or literal fantasy, it resembles more of the english speaking folklore and mythology, than any actual historical events. Now take all that, give it a, stir, a chop or two, infuse some octarine, and you have Discworld.
This was the information I had going into viewing this wonderful film. To say the least, it was a wonderful show that entertained me to the core. Extremely well done, the focus here is on the actual work done by Mr. Prachett. It doesn't have the Hollywood abundant budget, but more than makes do with the resources that were available to it. Vadim Jean (adaption and director) has used the gift of ingenuity to create a truly spectacular and heart warming family holiday masterpiece. I was spell-bound and in awe of this great work of art.
If you're looking for a magical slaughter-fest, this isn't it (although the death count is higher than most movies). If you're looking for a story that has been dramtically reproduced with loving care about us as a whole, with a definately UK slant at humor, this is a show for you (heck, it even attracted the attention of my 15 year old boy to stop and watch).
So in summary, I had rented it, but as soon as it is available I'll be purchasing a copy of this to view each holiday season. There is just something about it that calls to you and make you think Hogswatch, er I mean Christmas ;)
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