I loved this. It's a sort of cross between Coraline, Alice in Wonderland and Skellig. Filmed with real actors but set in an animated world. It's worth watching for the wonderful fantasy-grunge artwork and graphics alone. Suitable for the whole family, though sensitive under 10s maybe a little scared of one or two scenes. It portrays positive family and moral values: perseverance, loyalty, bravery, friendship, being true to yourself. Don't be put off by the fact that it was released as straight-to-DVD, it is well written, acted and directed, deserves a wide audience and is by no means a budget film. Shame it's not more widely known. PS - See if you can spot Stephen Fry's brief appearance.

I had heard good things about this film; mixed, but generally good. I finally realised last week why my gut instinct told me to stay away all those years when I tried to watch it on television. In 2006, a certain reviewer (you know who you are, Sam) posted an extremely negative review alongside all the glowing reports about how wonderful the film was. Sadly, I must conclude that Sam was right. The film is pretty much unwatchable, because of the appalling soundtrack and the miming, whistling clown. Neither of these things have any place in film. So offensive were they that I didn't make it past the opening sequence. Gina McKee's initial alter-ego was on the verge of a fainting fit when I decided I'd had enough and switched channels. I was ready to pass out from frustration. I can't rate this film because I can't honestly claim to have watched it, and I very much doubt I ever will. So thanks for the warning, Sam, and judging by the high proportion of users who found your review useful, I don't think we're alone.

Wow. What a delightful and beautiful addition to children's fantasy films. The Jim Henson Company's name is on the film and being a long time fan of Jim Henson, I'd have to believe this is a film he would have loved and been proud to be associated with. This is no mild Disney affair. It's dark and eerie and ominous. Like the small handbook and the old woman in the mask matter-of-factly state, "don't let them know you're afraid", when referring to a bunch of weird paper cut-out cat things. I also thought the sinister cover of the seventies Karen Carpenter pop tune 'Close To You' was trippy.The amazing CGI FX were achieved, from what I hear, on a low budget. Hard to believe since the FX look better than most large budget fantasy films I've seen. Some people couldn't relate or get into this film. Too bad. Their loss. I guess the budget wasn't big enough or there wasn't enough commercial hype or appeal here. This film definitely didn't feel at all commercial. Maybe those people are frustrated and sad, or maybe they're waiters.As for the people who love the film, keep on truck'in. I think SpaceMonkey from Puerto Rico spoke for us all by saying the film was "just incredible".

So close.....perhaps to a US audience the scuzzy surroundings of Brighton and the down at heel circus would seem exotic. For Brits they were all too familiar and gave a depressing start, not helped by Dora Bryan (DORA BRYAN????)in a cameo as the grandmother.... Once the "dream sequence" had got moving and the fantastic creatures began to appear it picked up pace and got me involved but the "Henson" touch of Dark Crystal and Labrynth was missing. The leading lady was excellent, others have noted her resemblance to a young Helena Bonham Carter and I'm sure we will see more of her. Rob Brydon is an excellent comedy writer and script doctor but he seemed ill at ease with the part of the ne'er do well, circus owning father and the part was under-written.Chop the first ten minutes and it might score higher.