Something Wicked This Way Comes

Even though Ray Bradbury and director Jack Clayton were grossly upset with what Disney did to this film prior to release I have to say it is one hell of a fantastic yarn. The two had worked together back in the Fifties when Clayton was producing MOBY DICK and it's certainly nice to see them do so again thrity years later. Dealing with a dark carnival (the book from whence the story comes) with an even darker secret this is a story about the young and the old and the juxtaposition of the two is executed to precision here. While Jonathan Pryce is fantastic as Mr. Dark, the master of ceremonies if you will of this wandering band of mystics, it is Jason Robards who delivers a career performance. It's both light fare and dark subject matter at the same time but it is pure Bradbury and will delight all age groups.