Official Synopsis:
Sit on the edge of your seat and enjoy master storyteller Ray Bradbury’s classic adventure of four youths who try to save the spirit of their friend Kip from the ghosts of Halloween past. The four encounter a mysterious character, Moundshroud who takes them on a magical journey that sweeps them back as far as 4,000 years and touches down in exotic places all over the world like Egypt, England, France and Mexico. Along the way they discover the magic and meaning of Halloween – and friendship. This enchanting adventure features the voice talents of Leonard Nimoy as Moundshroud and the animation wizardry of Hanna-Barbera. It’s a story as timeless as Halloween itself – a bubbling cauldron of thrills and suspense that will stir the imagination of the entire family. Bradbury’s popular story is destined to become a perennial Halloween favorite.
Our Take:
I’ll be honest, I’d never heard of The Halloween Tree before, but it’s apparently something of a cult favorite from the early 90′s. I’ve never been a huge Hanna Barbera fan, but I can absolutely see why this would’ve had a following when it originally debuted almost 20 years ago. The story is pretty youth-friendly; it follows a group of 4 kids who are trying to save the spirit of their friend Pip who is suffering from appendicitis and can’t join his friends for trick or treating one Halloween. The group of kids meet up with Moundshroud, voiced by Leonard Nemoy, in an attempt to save him. It’s funny to see how far children’s entertainment has changed (not for the better) between the period of time when The Halloween Tree was released and today. The resolution of this story would NEVER have been the same today if it were released 20 years later. I think studios are so afraid of upsetting parents or to introduce ideas that don’t treat children like babies where movies such as this would be watered down if it were produced today.
Special Features:
There are no special features on this release.
Conclusion:
This movie is a real “treat,” even for someone who is way past their trick or treating years. There’s something about watching movies where kids are running around on Halloween night and remembering how you would go out with your own friends when you were younger. The Halloween Tree certainly provides this same sense of nostalgia successfully to make it worth a watch, especially to a new generation of pre-teens.
RECOMMENDED!
Overall Picture:
Movie: B+
Extra Features: N/A
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Source:
http://www.dvdsnapshot.com/2012/10/10/the-halloween-tree/
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