"Earwig and the Witch" is a children's fantasy novel written by Diana Wynne Jones. It tells the story of a young girl named Earwig who is orphaned as a baby and grows up in an orphanage. Unlike the other children in the orphanage, Earwig is not eager to be adopted and prefers to stay at the orphanage where she holds a position of power and influence. However, her life takes an unexpected turn when she is adopted by a witch named Bella Yaga and her familiar, Thomas Major. The main idea of the story is the transformation and growth of Earwig as she navigates her new life with the witch and familiar. The story explores themes of friendship, family, and finding one's place in the world.
So keeping that in mind, along with the fact that we're talking about Ghibli, a studio that can do no wrong, I loaded up my review copy of "Earwig and the Witch," (courtesy of GKids) and sat through the latest offering from Goro Miyazaki, son of the legendary animator Hayao Miyazaki.
Companies like Pixar and DreamWorks turn out some really amazing 3D CGI art, but given the choice between that and a traditional 2D animated movie, I ll take the latter every time. Headstrong, mischievous yet hardworking and a brilliant actress to boot presenting herself as an innocent charming young girl , the one thing I like about Earwig is her character design.
The story explores themes of friendship, family, and finding one's place in the world. Earwig's interactions with Bella Yaga and Thomas Major challenge her previous notions of power and control as she learns to adapt to her new surroundings and discovers her own strengths and abilities. Throughout the narrative, Diana Wynne Jones creates a rich and enchanting world filled with magical creatures and unexpected twists.
FILM REVIEW: EARWIG AND THE WITCH
I am a fan of the art of animation. I find the ability to create moving pictures from still images or objects fascinating. So much so, I studied it in Uni (and earned a BSc on it). When I was studying it, back in early-2010s, 3D animation was the default, with 2D only starting to get the appreciation it deserves, mostly thanks the increasing popularity of anime. Its during this time that I learnt something important about storytelling and the mediums you use to tell it. I can sum this lesson up with this – “You can forgive bad art, but you can’t forgive a bad story.” You can have the best artists to make your animated movie, but if the story is rubbish no one is going to watch it. Trust me. They are many examples of animations that have great art, but lousy story, and bad animations with great stories that make up for it. When I heard that Studio Ghibli (a bastion of 2D animation) was making a 3D animated movie, I was a bit concerned, initially. I seen too many CGI movies with “passable” stories. But, when I finally watched it, I wasn’t disappointed. In fact, it was pretty good. I give it a 7 or 8 out of 10. It had some of the Ghibli visual style, but it reminded me more of an Aardman CGI animation, liked Flushed Away or Arthur Christmas. This should not be surprising, as the story is set in England. The story involves Erica “Earwig” Wigg, a 10-year-old child of a witch who was left at a Children’s home as an infant. Think Minnie the Minx meets a pre-Hogwarts Hermione Granger. A bit of a bossy know-it-all who likes getting her way wherever possible. She has had a comfortable life in the home, until get gets adopted (against her will) by Bella Yaga (a well-proportioned stereotypical step-mother character, with wild blue hair) and Mandrake (a tall teddy boy demon-like being, who looks like a posher version of John Cooper Clarke). Bella adopts her to have “an extra pair of hands” in her potion workshop, which hadn’t been cleaned for decades. Yes, it’s a classic story about child slavery, with magic. Earwig is trapped in the house, as magic has sealed the windows and doors and they can move location, like in a house in a cartoon. Until her forced adoption she never knew she was a witch herself and (with some assistance from Thomas the cat familiar) learns how do her own spells that prove useful later. Adapted from the book by Diana Wynne Jones (who also penned Howl’s Moving Castle), and directed by Gorō Miyazaki (son of the Howl’s film director Hayao Miyazaki) this film has a good pedigree to live up to. And, I dare say, it has. The art may be a bit flawed to my taste, but the story makes up for it massively. P.S. I loved the illustrations during the end credits. Classic (2D) Ghibli.
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This entry was posted in: Film Tagged with: animation, Film, film review, Studio GhibliPublished by profgordonwallace
A computer animation and digital art graduate with an interest in . everything really. An experienced artist in multiple mediums with a scientific eye and brain. No stranger to a screwdriver.
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The storytelling is engaging, drawing readers into Earwig's world and allowing them to empathize with her experiences. The author skillfully weaves together humor, suspense, and moments of heartwarming emotion, creating a well-rounded and memorable story. One of the key aspects of the storytelling in "Earwig and the Witch" is the development of the characters. Both Earwig and Bella Yaga undergo significant character growth throughout the book, learning from each other and forming an unlikely bond. Jones expertly portrays their evolving relationship, showing how they influence and ultimately change each other for the better. The characters feel authentic and relatable, making it easy for readers to connect with their journeys and the lessons they learn. In conclusion, "Earwig and the Witch" is a captivating story that highlights the importance of self-discovery and the power of relationships. Through its engaging storytelling and lovable characters, it teaches valuable lessons about identity, resilience, and the complexities of human connections. Whether read aloud or enjoyed individually, this book is sure to captivate the imaginations of children and adults alike..
Reviews for "Analysis of the visual storytelling techniques in 'Earwig and the Witch"
1. Emma - 2/5 stars - I found "Earwig and the Witch" to be a disappointing read. The storytelling felt disjointed and lacked depth. The characters were flat and one-dimensional, making it hard to connect with their struggles or care about their motivations. The plot seemed rushed and underdeveloped, leaving me with more questions than answers. Overall, the story failed to engage me and left me feeling underwhelmed.
2. Michael - 1/5 stars - I couldn't get through "Earwig and the Witch". The storytelling was confusing and it felt like important details were left out or explained poorly. The pacing was off, with slow sections dragging on and the climax feeling rushed and unsatisfying. The writing style didn't resonate with me and I struggled to connect with the characters. It's unfortunate, but this book just wasn't for me.
3. Rachel - 2/5 stars - I was expecting a lot more from "Earwig and the Witch". The storytelling felt choppy and the plot didn't flow smoothly. The characters lacked development, making it difficult to feel invested in their journey. The story lacked depth and substance, leaving me wanting more. Overall, I was disappointed with this book and wouldn't recommend it to others.
4. David - 3/5 stars - While I didn't hate "Earwig and the Witch", I found the storytelling to be lackluster. The pacing was uneven and the plot felt predictable. The characters were uninteresting and failed to stand out. The story had potential, but it wasn't executed as well as I had hoped. Overall, it was an average read that didn't leave a lasting impression.