Rainbow Magic: Return to Rainspell Island reviews
Review by on 23 Sep 2010
At 10.30am on a Sunday morning, the Festival was no-less packed than for its evening showings, although with a clientelle more of the glittery wing-wearing, wand-waving variety. Fuelled by sparkly pink cupcakes (courtesy of Alan the Goblin), the screening of the children’s film RAINBOW MAGIC: RETURN TO RAINSPELL ISLAND was received enthusiastically as part of the first Family Film Festival, which has also seen fancy-fress competitions, craft activities, workshops and facepainting sessions designed to introduce youngsters to the world of cinema. Directed in manga-style by Hiroshi Kawamata, the film tells the story of the fairies of Rainbow Island (based on the popular book series) and their attempts to thwart wicked Jack Frost in his plan to bring winter to the fairy world. The children certainly seemed keen, although compared to the recent trends of critically acclaimed children’s films such as SHREK and TOY STORY, RAINBOW MAGIC had rather less to entertain the latte-swigging adults in the audience. As a result, this was most definitely one for the children rather than fun for all the family, with the giggling fairies as saccharine-sweet as the icing on the cupcakes. However, with its free storybooks, goodie bags and the boundless enthusiasm of the Family Film Festival team (resplendent in their own magnificent, twinkling fairy wings), the Arts Picturehouse certainly pulled out all the stops for what will hopefully be the first of many such ventures.
Eleanor Rosamund Barraclough
Eleanor Rosamund Barraclough
Film details
Rainbow Magic: Return to Rainspell Island
CAMBRIDGE FAMILY FILM FESTIVAL
United Kingdom, 2010.
60 mins.
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