Something Wicked This Way Comes Review

MPAA Rating: PG
Released: 1983

Something Wicked This Way Comes was an early 80's horror flick produced by Disney. Disney making a horror movie… has hell frozen over? As hard as it might be to believe, the company responsible for fuzzy cartoon films and putting Florida on the map as a family vacation destination did indeed release a bona fide horror flick about a dark carnival that rolls into a sleepy country town.

Jim Nightshade (Shawn Carson) and Will Halloway (Vidal Peterson) are neighbors and best friends that live in an idyllic southern town: Greentown, Illinois. It's a quaint and friendly little town with an interesting cast of characters, but unfortunately there's not much excitement to be had for these two youths. That is, until, the Dark's Pandemonium Carnival rolls into town during the cover of night.

Excited about the prospect of a carnival, the two buddies chase the train carrying the carnival rides, wagons and equipment to watch it being constructed, but to their amazement when they catch up with the train they notice the carnival has already been fully built within minutes!

This isn't the only oddity surrounding the festival. As the town gathers and celebrates at the carnival, strange things begin to happen. Peoples' dreams and wishes begin to come true, such as a man winning some cold harsh cash, an old woman transforming back to her days of youth, and more. But there is also a dark side to the carnival spearheaded by ominous Mr. Dark (Jonathan Pryce): people around town are disappearing!

Under the cover of night Jim and Will sneak into the carnival and stumble across one of its shocking secrets. When their intrusion is discovered, the youths flee through the darkness of night, pursued by the supernatural proprietor as well as his equally menacing henchmen.

Now the future of Greentown rests in the hands in these two kids as well as Charles Halloway (Jason Robards), Will's father, a kindly old librarian and a man battling with some personal demons of his own. Can the unlikely trio save the town from the clutches of Mr. Dark?

As might be expected from a horror film released by Disney, Something Wicked This Way Comes is perfectly acceptable for all but the youngest children. There is no vulgarity and very little bloodshed – the movie relies on a solid storyline originally penned by author Ray Bradbury and the strength of some impressive actors.

Although it's a family horror movie, Something Wicked This Way Comes contains some genuinely creepy moments (particularly a scene involving hundreds of spiders) and an absorbing storyline. By no means is it a kid's movie – adults should enjoy this movie as much as the younger crowd.

Something Wicked This Way comes gets thumbs up in the acting department. Jason Robards brings his normal dignity to the movie, Jonathan Pryce is suitably sinister and Vidal Peterson and Shawn Carson provide convincing performances, particularly for child actors. There's quite an assortment of secondary characters in this film, and each are eccentric yet lovable in their own ways.

The slasher crowd will probably find Something Wicked This Way Comes to be too light on horror and visceral thrills for their tastes, but unless you're a hardcore horror buff don't let the Disney affiliation deceive you. While this movie may be entirely appropriate for families, Something Wicked This Way Comes is not just another children's film.

Movie rating: 8 stars

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