Mrs. Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children Movie Review

Mrs. Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children

PG-13 || 2 hours, 7 minutes ||9/30/16

            The story, Mrs. Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children (Written by Ransom Riggs) was brought to life by the director Tim Burton and main characters Jacob Portman (Asa Butterfield), Mrs. Peregrine (Eva Green), and Emma Bloom (Ella Purnell.) Each character had a unique personality and definitely fits the fantasy genre.

            The movie begins with Jacob Portman losing his grandfather in a mysterious accident. He eventually goes into therapy and the therapist says it would be great for him to go to the island that his grandfather mentions to Jacob in his final words. Jacob (along with his Father who is played by Chris O’Dowd) go to the island. During one of his investigations of the old children’s home, which was destroyed by a World War 2 bomb, the other peculiar children pop their head in and fetch Jacob for Mrs. Peregrine. Jacob learns about the other children and how the headmistress rewinds time every night right before a bomb hits, creating a time loop. After a few days, the Wights leader (played by Samuel L. Jackson) comes and kidnaps Mrs. Peregrine. Jacob finds himself on a journey to save the headmistress and protect his friends.

            This movie reminds me of a more peculiar version of Narnia. Jacob is trying to be the hero and go on this huge adventure. This movie, however, was faster paced.

            Overall, this movie wasn’t as good as expected. Having read the books, I was highly disappointed. The plot line was completely different than the books. They even switched the main characters! In the books, Emma Bloom is the pyrokinetic love interest but in the movie Emma Bloom is the teenager able to float and control air. Also, the other peculiar children are barely even mentioned. It is unclear what the twins are able to do till the end of the movie! It is never fully clear what Horace’s peculiarity is. They seem to be in there for plot convenience. Finally, quite a few of the important scenes are left out of the movie completely or are just barely touched upon. 

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