I had an early screening of The Magic Faraway Tree, based on Enid Blyton’s children’s novel from 1943, and I have to say, I think they did a really good job taking a story from 1943 and modernizing it in a way that works for families today.
At the heart of the story is a message that feels very relevant right now: technology has taken over our lives, so how do we pull back from that a little bit and actually reconnect with our families and the world around us?
In other words, touch some grass. 😂
Am I the target audience for this movie? No. This is very clearly geared toward younger children and families, and I think that’s important to keep in mind when going into it. If I had young kids, though, this is absolutely a movie I would take them to see as a family.
A Star-Studded Cast
One of the things that immediately stands out is the cast. The Magic Faraway Tree has a seriously impressive lineup, including Andrew Garfield, Claire Foy, Nicola Coughlan, Nonso Anozie, Jessica Gunning and Rebecca Ferguson.
Nicola Coughlan is always great, and if you know her from Bridgerton, you’ll recognize her immediately. Ncuti Nwosu is also really good as Moody. His character can be a little creepy at times, but it works for the story and adds something fun to the whole fairy-tale atmosphere.
And then you have the three young actors at the center of the story, who are brilliant. The acting across the board is done very well, and the kids really hold their own alongside such a big cast.
A Magical, Storybook Aesthetic
The costumes are another highlight, and the overall aesthetic of the movie really gives you that classic fairy-tale feeling.
There were definitely moments where I was getting The Wizard of Oz vibes. Obviously, this is its own story, but there is something about the colorful, whimsical world and the way everything is presented that gives you that same kind of magical adventure feeling.
And that’s really where the movie works best. It feels like a proper family fairy tale while still finding a way to bring in themes that make sense for families today.
A Message Families Can Connect With
What I appreciated most is that they didn’t take a story from 1943 and leave it feeling stuck in 1943.
The filmmakers have found a way to bring the story into the present and give it a message that families can actually connect with. We’re living in a world where technology is everywhere, kids are constantly surrounded by screens, and families can easily spend time in the same room without actually being together.
The Magic Faraway Tree taps into that idea of slowing down, stepping away from technology and reconnecting with each other.
That’s a message I think works particularly well for the audience this movie is targeting.
My Rating
For me, The Magic Faraway Tree is a 3 out of 5 stars.
It’s a solid family film with a great cast, good performances, fun costumes and a really nice fairy-tale aesthetic. I’m not necessarily the target audience for this one, but I can absolutely see families with young children having a good time with it.
If you have a young family, I’d say go see it together. There’s something for the kids to enjoy, and there’s a message underneath it all that parents can appreciate too.
And honestly, we could probably all use a little less screen time and a little more time outside.
Touch some grass. 🌳
The Magic Faraway Tree arrives in theaters August 21.
