Harold and the Purple Crayon

This is a fantasy movie based on a popular book. The movie starts with just line drawing animation. Harold and his two imaginary friends, a Moose and a Porcupine. Whatever Harold can imagine, then draw an outline with his purple crayon, becomes reality. Then Harold draws a door with his magical purple crayon, opens it, and finds himself in the real world of Providence, Rhode Island.

Zachary Levi has been a favorite of ours for a number of years, he is the real world Harold. He knows nothing about the real world so he immediately has to learn how it works and how people communicate.

Next the Moose and the Porcupine make their way through the door, each takes on a human form.

The movie is just made for entertainment, however there is a good message embedded - to never quit dreaming and never limit yourself. The good person that befriends them is Zooey Deschanel as Terry and her young son. The bad guy that creates problems is Jemaine Clement as Gary who desperately wants Terry but she wants no part of him.

My wife and I watched it at home, on DVD from our public library. Just pleasant, quirky entertainment after Saturday evening steak and wine dinner, with chocolate cake of course!

I was hesitant to go see this film after looking at the low meta critic, and since I don't have a particular tie to the original book. I took my kids as an act of summer break distraction and it did just the trick. I understand why this is getting rated so low, I also love the meme reviews claiming it as the best movie ever made. This movie actually has some really great visual effects, and I think Zachary Levi's acting makes the film entertaining to watch. The problems with this movie are numerable, weird subplots between these animals turned into humans, and two different antagonists with one that they just leave behind in the Final Cut. The show lacks a clear vision, which is a shame because I think there was good bones to this. Overall I think it's a totally decent kids movie, but as a whole it is simply mediocre and lacking a clear statement.

Kids, wife and myself all enjoyed Harold and The Purple Crayon.

I understand some people who have a close connection to the book aren't thrilled with the film. I don't know the book that well, so I was able to go into the movie with an open mind.

As a standalone story, it stands up as a fun and humorous feel-good kids film with great imagination.

Levi does a good job humanizing a very outrageous premise. He blends over the top behaviour you'd expect from a cartoon character with sincere heart. He really seems right in his wheelhouse here. Reynolds and Howery as Porcupine and Moose are great fun. And Clement is delightful as a funny antagonist you really enjoy rooting against.

As an adult viewer, you will certainly have to suspend your disbelief - even more than you would for other family fantasy films (the way they execute the leap from the "book world" to the "real world" was even more outrageous that I'd ever have expected) and the plot develops so fast it's hard to keep up with the leaps in logic. With that said, it settles in to a fun l, easy to consume, adventure.

My kids loved it and look forward to seeing it again. My wife, who is an educator familiar with the book, liked it very much as well. For me, it was a fun movie to enjoy with my family at the end of a school week.

Inside of his book, adventurous Harold (Zachary Levi) can make anything come to life simply by drawing it. After he grows up and draws himself off the book's pages and into the physical world, Harold finds he has a lot to learn about real life - and that his trusty purple crayon may set off more hilarious hijinks than he thought possible. When the power of unlimited imagination falls into the wrong hands, it will take all of Harold and his friends' creativity to save both the real world and his own.

What a fabulous story. It's quite unique, I can't think of another story like it. It's utterly engaging, perfect for people of all ages, and will especially resonate with those who have fervent imaginations.

Apart from the awful Zooey Deschanel all the cast is great and dare I say it...believable! I actually need a piece of purple crayon now to make my dreams come true!

Sadly it's not going to be a blockbuster, but I think this film will be extremely popular and remain a family favourite for a long time. I gave it a very solid 6, which would easily have been a 7 without Deschanel.

It was unique that they decided to use an adult version of Harold and Zachary Levi did an amazing job being that grown up child. OfCourse Levi has proved that he can play a man child as Shazam so not really the biggest range in acting, which is great cause I thought it was charming and funny.

The dude from Flight of the Concords plays Gary who was actually a perfect villain for a semi children's story and I do mean Semi. Some of the jokes in the film felt a little too grown up. I know children will get them but not sure if you should tell them.

A similar movie came out this summer called If, but i thought this movie's kind heart had a lot more value to it so i pick this over IF.