The House of Magic (2013)
Certified: U
Duration: 85 minutes
Directed by: Jeremy Degruson, Ben Stassen
Voices of: Murray Blue, Emily Blunt, Edward Asner, Cinda Adams, George Babbit, Shanelle Gray, Ewan McGregor, Ron Perlman, William Shatner
KRS Releasing Ltd

Wondering how to fill up your children’s time this summer? Well, for the under 10-year-olds, The House of Magic is quite a good way to fill a couple of hours.

I was not expecting much from this film, however, Belgian writer-director Ben Stassen and Jeremy Degruson deliver a movie that, while simple in structure and storytelling, is rich in substance and presentation and has its fair share of old-fashioned children’s movie magic fairy dust thrown in.

This provides the film with its own beautiful atmosphere that makes it different from the usual animated feature by Disney and Pixar.

The House of Magic focuses on a young kitten that is left abandoned near an old house. He makes his way into the house even though he is unwanted, especially by a bunny rabbit named Jack and a mouse named Maggie.

It turns out that the house is the home of an old magician and the two animals help the magician in his act. There are also electrical creations that add a different element to the movie. The kitten is named Thunder by the magician and soon it steals the magician’s attentions which creates quite some discord with Jack and Maggie.

However, there will need to be unity in the ranks when Daniel, the magician’s nephew, wants to get his uncle to sell the house.

Visually, the film is a notch or two above Stassen and Degruson’s former presentations such as A Turtle’s Tale: Sammy’s Adventures (2010) and Fly Me to the Moon (2008).

The computer-generated animation is richer and has more eye for detail and depth. It also shows how much animation has developed at a quick pace. And the Belgian production has made sure to milk each shot for all its worth.

The film does not skimp on the detail, and the presentation of both the characters and the house is very well rounded.

It also benefits from the central character which apart from being cute, has a sweet character.

On the other hand, Jack and Maggie are very funny as they dish out many cynical remarks.

At its core, the film has an element of both discovery and comedy that combines well with its pacing.

The House of Magic acknowledges the audience it is aimed at, without forgetting the accompanying adults.

On the basis of this, there is hope that European animation can rise and tackle Hollywood on sure footing.

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