Which brings us to another film adapted from children’s literature: Horrid Henry: The Movie 3D, based on Francesca Simon’s series of books about a mischievous, self-centred young hero. Her stories have a roguish charm, a clear affection for language and Tony Ross’s impish illustrations.
The film, however, is shrill, over-eager and frankly disappointing. Simon stayed well away from it, and Lucinda Whiteley’s script panders dismayingly to modish notions of children’s desires. Henry (Theo Stevenson) fronts a boy band. He raps about wanting to be famous. Frantic and incoherent, it’s portrayed in vivid primary colours, reminiscent of sub-par kids’ TV.
When Henry’s school faces closure, thanks to rascally Vic Van Wrinkle (Richard E. Grant), he tries to save the day. Anjelica Huston appears as Miss Battle-Axe, a caricature of a fearsome teacher; her accent wafts around various Celtic countries before settling in Miss Jean Brodie’s Edinburgh.
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