78 reviews
I read a lot of reviewers comparing this movie with Harry Potter but I don't agree. The story is totally different, much weirder which was a good thing I thought. The only thing they have in common is that it is all fantasy and in this genre The Portable Door is an entertaining movie. It takes a while to understand what's going on but it's never annoying. Christopher Waltz always delivers, never disappoints. Sam Neil was also good in playing his strange character. The whole cast did a decent job making this movie interesting to follow. I can see some sequels in the future if it catches on. I'm up for it.
- deloudelouvain
- Apr 16, 2023
- Permalink
Paul Carpenter's day goes from a morning of disasters, with his toaster exploding and a random lecturer professing to know him, to a bizarre interview at JW Wells and Co, a somewhat unusual organisation.
This was one of those films that I was made to sit down and watch with the while family, an array of ages, the feedback was generally positive, personally I rather enjoyed it, despite it not really being my preferred genre.
I was told to expect something along the lines of Harry Potter or Extraordinary Beasts, in truth I could see no similarity at all, other than them being fantasy movies, family friendly fantasy that is.
Not especially exciting or particularly well paced, but oddly engaging and baffling, this film is so strange and weird, it just draws you in. You'll be scratching your head several times as you try to work out what's going on, just accept that it's slightly bonkers, and I think you'll enjoy it.
To summarise, it's very quirky, family fun, it's well acted and oddly engaging.
7/10.
This was one of those films that I was made to sit down and watch with the while family, an array of ages, the feedback was generally positive, personally I rather enjoyed it, despite it not really being my preferred genre.
I was told to expect something along the lines of Harry Potter or Extraordinary Beasts, in truth I could see no similarity at all, other than them being fantasy movies, family friendly fantasy that is.
Not especially exciting or particularly well paced, but oddly engaging and baffling, this film is so strange and weird, it just draws you in. You'll be scratching your head several times as you try to work out what's going on, just accept that it's slightly bonkers, and I think you'll enjoy it.
To summarise, it's very quirky, family fun, it's well acted and oddly engaging.
7/10.
- Sleepin_Dragon
- May 11, 2023
- Permalink
Why do people who have read the book ever bother to view a film they know from the outset they will hate because - insert whiny voice- "it's not like the book". Why not save yourself the agony.
As a counterpoint I have read the book, and thought this adaptation was most enjoyable. You can't really describe anything without spoilers. Ut it bowls along with a great sense of humour -mfor some of which paying attention is rewarded.
If you haven't read the books give them a go as there are seven in the series and explore the idea in greater details. This will be good should get round to making a sequel.
As a counterpoint I have read the book, and thought this adaptation was most enjoyable. You can't really describe anything without spoilers. Ut it bowls along with a great sense of humour -mfor some of which paying attention is rewarded.
If you haven't read the books give them a go as there are seven in the series and explore the idea in greater details. This will be good should get round to making a sequel.
- webjunk-62635
- Apr 12, 2023
- Permalink
This movie is a good one-time-to-watch film. You may bring your family to the cinema and you will spend a good time watching it in a relaxed atmosphere.
However, if you expect some mind-blowing plot or unexpected twists - this film will mostly disappoint you. In fantasy movies there is always a thin ice in terms of making the plot work in some "magical" world but you still believe it, and having some absurd world. This film is closer to the second variant. Sometimes you find yourself at the point when you think "OK, this seems to be stolen from Harry Potter", sometimes you are like "What the hell? What am I watching". This film is rather naive fairytale than a Lord of the Rings style saga, that you can watch over and over again and not feel yourself as a young kid forced to believe something just because it is said so in movie.
Thus, I would recommend going to watch this film. Just take it easy and turn off the movie critic inside of you :)
However, if you expect some mind-blowing plot or unexpected twists - this film will mostly disappoint you. In fantasy movies there is always a thin ice in terms of making the plot work in some "magical" world but you still believe it, and having some absurd world. This film is closer to the second variant. Sometimes you find yourself at the point when you think "OK, this seems to be stolen from Harry Potter", sometimes you are like "What the hell? What am I watching". This film is rather naive fairytale than a Lord of the Rings style saga, that you can watch over and over again and not feel yourself as a young kid forced to believe something just because it is said so in movie.
Thus, I would recommend going to watch this film. Just take it easy and turn off the movie critic inside of you :)
Paul Carpenter is desperately looking for a job. After a most unusual interview he ends up hired in a company, but he neither knows what they do nor does he even know his duties. Then, two lowly newcomers , Paul (Patrick Gibson) and Sophie (Sophie Wilde), at J. W. Wells and Co., a mysterious firm based in London, uncover a plot by their CEO to disrupt the ancient magical world with modern corporate practices. Nasty villains Humphrey Wells (Christoph Waltz) , the CEO of the company, and middle manager Dennis Tanner (Sam Neill) are disrupting the world of magic by bringing modern corporate strategy to ancient magical practices
There are some similarities to 'Harry Potter' and ¨Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them¨sagas in this solid fantasy with adventures, magic and imagination. ¨The Portable Door¨ is the first book in Tom Holt's J. W. Wells & Co. Series, made up of eight books: The Portable Door (2003), In Your Dreams (2004), Earth, Air, Fire and Custard (2005), You Don't Have to Be Evil to Work Here, But it Helps (2006), The Better Mousetrap (2008), May Contain Traces of Magic (2009), Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Sausages (2011), The Eight Reindeer of the Apocalypse (2023). Following a fascinating first 30 minutes the movie loses impetus as the writer struggles to spin it out towards two-hour length. Patrick Gibson and Sophie Wilde star in this magical film playing two interns become increasingly aware that their mysterious employers are anything but conventional, discovering the true agenda of the vast corporation; alongside the winner of two Oscars for best supporting actor Christoph Waltz (Django unchained) and Sam Neil (Jurassic Park) performing two charismatic villain chiefs. This likeable quartet of protagonists are well accompanied by a wonderful supporting cast, such as: Damon Herriman , Demi Harman, Rachel House, Miranda Otto, Chris Pang, Arka Das, and Jessica De Gouw.
It displays a thrilling and enjoyable musical score by Benjamin Speed. Likewise , a brilliant and colorful cinematography by Donald McAlpine. Along with stunning state-of-art special effects and creatures from Story Bridge Films and The Jim Henson Company. The motion picture was professionally directed by Jeffrey Walker though borrows heavily from other known stories. Craftsman Jeffrey Walker at his debut feature film, but he has directed a number of episodes of popular TV series, such as: The Artful Dodger, Bones, The Clearing , Blue heeler, H2o, Lambs of God, LA to Vegas, The Clearing, Home and away, Dance academy, The Elephant Princess, The young rock, Wild Boys , Angry Boys, among others. Rating: 6.5/10. Well worth watching.
There are some similarities to 'Harry Potter' and ¨Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them¨sagas in this solid fantasy with adventures, magic and imagination. ¨The Portable Door¨ is the first book in Tom Holt's J. W. Wells & Co. Series, made up of eight books: The Portable Door (2003), In Your Dreams (2004), Earth, Air, Fire and Custard (2005), You Don't Have to Be Evil to Work Here, But it Helps (2006), The Better Mousetrap (2008), May Contain Traces of Magic (2009), Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Sausages (2011), The Eight Reindeer of the Apocalypse (2023). Following a fascinating first 30 minutes the movie loses impetus as the writer struggles to spin it out towards two-hour length. Patrick Gibson and Sophie Wilde star in this magical film playing two interns become increasingly aware that their mysterious employers are anything but conventional, discovering the true agenda of the vast corporation; alongside the winner of two Oscars for best supporting actor Christoph Waltz (Django unchained) and Sam Neil (Jurassic Park) performing two charismatic villain chiefs. This likeable quartet of protagonists are well accompanied by a wonderful supporting cast, such as: Damon Herriman , Demi Harman, Rachel House, Miranda Otto, Chris Pang, Arka Das, and Jessica De Gouw.
It displays a thrilling and enjoyable musical score by Benjamin Speed. Likewise , a brilliant and colorful cinematography by Donald McAlpine. Along with stunning state-of-art special effects and creatures from Story Bridge Films and The Jim Henson Company. The motion picture was professionally directed by Jeffrey Walker though borrows heavily from other known stories. Craftsman Jeffrey Walker at his debut feature film, but he has directed a number of episodes of popular TV series, such as: The Artful Dodger, Bones, The Clearing , Blue heeler, H2o, Lambs of God, LA to Vegas, The Clearing, Home and away, Dance academy, The Elephant Princess, The young rock, Wild Boys , Angry Boys, among others. Rating: 6.5/10. Well worth watching.
I haven't read the book so I can't judge this movie on that basis. It's a nice looking film with nice photography, there's no problem with editing or pacing. Its what you'd expect from this type of film. The cast was suitably solid but for me the highlight was Sam Neill: His was a stand-out performance, an absolute delight. He just stole every scene he was in and was loads of fun. However, the movie would have been better if not for serious problems with the sound mix. The music is so overwhelmingly loud it drowns out the dialogue to the point where you're struggling to discern what is being said over the sheer loudness of the music. You might as well turn subtitles on. How does such a serious blunder occur? It seriously detracts from what otherwise might have been a more enjoyable movie.
What fun. An enchanting film. An adult fairy tale and boy meets girl rolled up into one.
Paul's very bad day leads to an unlikely job opening at the prestigious, mysterious company, J Wells. He quickly becomes a favorite of the boss, but no one else on the hiring committee has anything good to say about him. As he proves his metal to both his new coworker and the company at large, we are taking on a fantastic journey. Imaginative sets help create magical scenes.
Christopher Walt makes a great bad guy. The cast includes Sam Neill, who always delivers. I'm sure the primary actors are up and comers, but I'm just not familiar with them from earlier movies.
Enjoy!
Paul's very bad day leads to an unlikely job opening at the prestigious, mysterious company, J Wells. He quickly becomes a favorite of the boss, but no one else on the hiring committee has anything good to say about him. As he proves his metal to both his new coworker and the company at large, we are taking on a fantastic journey. Imaginative sets help create magical scenes.
Christopher Walt makes a great bad guy. The cast includes Sam Neill, who always delivers. I'm sure the primary actors are up and comers, but I'm just not familiar with them from earlier movies.
Enjoy!
I love a good sci fi and fantasy film, so I decided to give this a try. I'm glad I did, because it wasn't bad, but it wasn't anything like I expected.
The British tend to like their buffoonery, and there was simply too much of it in the beginning. Sam Neill could never be described as cute but that's what they were trying to make him be.
The story was also difficult to follow. The Humphries had me completely baffled until very close to the end.
Considering Jim Henson was involved with this I thought the goblins were very poorly done. Also some of the sets were great but some of the characters not very well defined at all.
Overall I didn't hate it and I watched it from start to finish in one go. But it was very slow to start and just wasn't polished enough to understand, so by the end I only just realised what I had watched.
The British tend to like their buffoonery, and there was simply too much of it in the beginning. Sam Neill could never be described as cute but that's what they were trying to make him be.
The story was also difficult to follow. The Humphries had me completely baffled until very close to the end.
Considering Jim Henson was involved with this I thought the goblins were very poorly done. Also some of the sets were great but some of the characters not very well defined at all.
Overall I didn't hate it and I watched it from start to finish in one go. But it was very slow to start and just wasn't polished enough to understand, so by the end I only just realised what I had watched.
- Boristhemoggy
- Apr 9, 2023
- Permalink
This is a somewhat contradictory movie.
Unusually, I chose to watch it on impulse, out of the blue, with no prior knowledge of what it was about, other than it had an intriguing title and a good cast.
From the first few minutes and on to about 45 minutes, the script, apparent plot, and acting successfully draw you in.
Everything is set up for The Portable Door to be some intriguing, mind binding, psychological, thought provoking film for adults.
You are being taken from the seemingly innocuous streets of London to witness what goes on behind the doors of a mysterious company run by people, Waltz and Neil, whose stated intent is the secret control of the masses, and to sell that ability to the highest bidders.
Burton's confusion but initial happiness in getting a strange job in this mysterious company is well portrayed, as is his discovery of his hitherto unknown 'other world' abilities.
It feels like a very dark, sci-fi, adult Alice in Wonderland equivalent, with The Portable Door being the entrance to anywhere possible, as per the rabbit hole.
Then, just as you sense this film can really take off into deep and intriguing mind games, something happens.
To me it suddenly changes direction, backs away from being grown up, and the second half goes completely the opposite, dumping all the careful build-up, the mystery, the intrigue, and the subtlety of leaving you wondering where is this going!
And for me that is why it seems the whole first half, of potentially a great attention grabbing movie, appears to be dumped in the bin.
It's as if halfway through making it, the director was told that the studio had now given permission for a good CGI budget to be available.
So now they had to spend it.
And that is why, the film suddenly changes from an interesting subtle mind drama to an all out, in your face, no mystery, flashes, bangs, wallops, villain chasing goodie with loads of odd other creatures hanging around kids fantasy movie.
So the last half hour or so is what you expect to see anywhere else, and therefore the end result is pretty obvious from way out, rather than being a last minute cliff-hangar.
I enjoyed the first half, but disappointed with the second half.
So much potential for a really intriguing film, and then it all reverts to a flash, bang, wallop, CGI action film, which chucks all the great acting of Waltz and Neill early on, out of the window.
IMPORTANT!!!
Right at the end of the last credits featuring all the CGI creators etc.., there is a clip of a final scene showing Burton, as the character Carpenter.
What happens in that scene is strangely a precise summary of what I have written above - so much potential, but at the end not much achieved.
So do watch right to the end.
It's a fitting summary added by the Director - very telling!
Unusually, I chose to watch it on impulse, out of the blue, with no prior knowledge of what it was about, other than it had an intriguing title and a good cast.
From the first few minutes and on to about 45 minutes, the script, apparent plot, and acting successfully draw you in.
Everything is set up for The Portable Door to be some intriguing, mind binding, psychological, thought provoking film for adults.
You are being taken from the seemingly innocuous streets of London to witness what goes on behind the doors of a mysterious company run by people, Waltz and Neil, whose stated intent is the secret control of the masses, and to sell that ability to the highest bidders.
Burton's confusion but initial happiness in getting a strange job in this mysterious company is well portrayed, as is his discovery of his hitherto unknown 'other world' abilities.
It feels like a very dark, sci-fi, adult Alice in Wonderland equivalent, with The Portable Door being the entrance to anywhere possible, as per the rabbit hole.
Then, just as you sense this film can really take off into deep and intriguing mind games, something happens.
To me it suddenly changes direction, backs away from being grown up, and the second half goes completely the opposite, dumping all the careful build-up, the mystery, the intrigue, and the subtlety of leaving you wondering where is this going!
And for me that is why it seems the whole first half, of potentially a great attention grabbing movie, appears to be dumped in the bin.
It's as if halfway through making it, the director was told that the studio had now given permission for a good CGI budget to be available.
So now they had to spend it.
And that is why, the film suddenly changes from an interesting subtle mind drama to an all out, in your face, no mystery, flashes, bangs, wallops, villain chasing goodie with loads of odd other creatures hanging around kids fantasy movie.
So the last half hour or so is what you expect to see anywhere else, and therefore the end result is pretty obvious from way out, rather than being a last minute cliff-hangar.
I enjoyed the first half, but disappointed with the second half.
So much potential for a really intriguing film, and then it all reverts to a flash, bang, wallop, CGI action film, which chucks all the great acting of Waltz and Neill early on, out of the window.
IMPORTANT!!!
Right at the end of the last credits featuring all the CGI creators etc.., there is a clip of a final scene showing Burton, as the character Carpenter.
What happens in that scene is strangely a precise summary of what I have written above - so much potential, but at the end not much achieved.
So do watch right to the end.
It's a fitting summary added by the Director - very telling!
- cliverfoskett
- Dec 28, 2023
- Permalink
Good book, c**p film. I've read many Tom Holt books and thoroughly enjoyed them, including "The Portable Door" but this film bares almost no resemblance to the book.
If you're going to make a film of a popular book, and you've bought the rights etc try and make a slight effort to follow the storyline, other than the title and the characters name it is unrecognisable from the source. I hate that, why not change the protagonist names and call the film "knock knock" and thereby evade my undying hatred!
This is actually a terrible children's film because firstly it not based on a children's book, and secondly it encourages children to watch second rate films rather than read first rate book!
If you're going to make a film of a popular book, and you've bought the rights etc try and make a slight effort to follow the storyline, other than the title and the characters name it is unrecognisable from the source. I hate that, why not change the protagonist names and call the film "knock knock" and thereby evade my undying hatred!
This is actually a terrible children's film because firstly it not based on a children's book, and secondly it encourages children to watch second rate films rather than read first rate book!
I'm baffled a bit by the other reviews and was nearly going to not give this movie a go but I'm so glad I did! I watched with the whole family and even though it was longer than most movies my kids would sit through, they loved it.
It was so odd in times that it actually made the movie more fun to watch- there were several times we were laughing out loud at the fantastic weirdness of it all!
I'm someone who watches a movie almost every night and visits the cinema weekly and found this a really enjoyable watch so I would definitely give it a go if you're thinking about it and don't worry, all those things that seem odd in the beginning end up making sense in the end!
A great film - well done!
P.s I didn't find the movie that dark, there are a couple of scenes that might be a bit scary that my youngest (5) was a little worried about initially, but ended up being fine with.
It was so odd in times that it actually made the movie more fun to watch- there were several times we were laughing out loud at the fantastic weirdness of it all!
I'm someone who watches a movie almost every night and visits the cinema weekly and found this a really enjoyable watch so I would definitely give it a go if you're thinking about it and don't worry, all those things that seem odd in the beginning end up making sense in the end!
A great film - well done!
P.s I didn't find the movie that dark, there are a couple of scenes that might be a bit scary that my youngest (5) was a little worried about initially, but ended up being fine with.
I wanted to like this film, I really did. Sadly it comes across as a sort of 'Fantastic Beasts' but without the charm, fun and warmth.
It's difficult to engage with the characters when none of them are likeable, and the acting is just flat. Maybe the actors are a.i generated... that would at least explain the lack of emotion, commitment of passion.
The story despite having a good premise wanders around and doesn't really engage. I suspect the book is probably better.
It could be that I'm the wrong demograpic for the audience they were aiming for, perhaps young teens our low double digit kids will like it but for me it's a miss.
Shame, I think there could have been a good film in there.
It's difficult to engage with the characters when none of them are likeable, and the acting is just flat. Maybe the actors are a.i generated... that would at least explain the lack of emotion, commitment of passion.
The story despite having a good premise wanders around and doesn't really engage. I suspect the book is probably better.
It could be that I'm the wrong demograpic for the audience they were aiming for, perhaps young teens our low double digit kids will like it but for me it's a miss.
Shame, I think there could have been a good film in there.
The start of the movie hits you with some Hitchhiker's guide through the galaxy vibes. It is by no means even close to that work, lacks Adams' sarcastic spin, but it develops a charm of its own. Quirky would be the way to describe it. Oh, I got a better one. Imagine first two Harry Potter movies but for adults.
Paul gets a job at a company that's not what it seems. People are... well, strange. Gradually, he discovers that the company handles coincidences via magic. The employees use magic to create coincidences which lead people to something. Like the Adjustment Bureau but less serious. Paul is given an intern position and is tasked with finding a door that was lost by the CEO. The door, as the title suggests, happens to be portable. It can get you anywhere you want to go. Paul and his colleague Sophie use the door to have some fun, travel around the world, visit various places, all to service their gradually developing affection towards one another... and then the plot of the movie kicks in.
It's a charming, wonderful little foray into fantastical world of weird magic.
Paul gets a job at a company that's not what it seems. People are... well, strange. Gradually, he discovers that the company handles coincidences via magic. The employees use magic to create coincidences which lead people to something. Like the Adjustment Bureau but less serious. Paul is given an intern position and is tasked with finding a door that was lost by the CEO. The door, as the title suggests, happens to be portable. It can get you anywhere you want to go. Paul and his colleague Sophie use the door to have some fun, travel around the world, visit various places, all to service their gradually developing affection towards one another... and then the plot of the movie kicks in.
It's a charming, wonderful little foray into fantastical world of weird magic.
- grimmfilment
- May 3, 2024
- Permalink
This is so bad that I don't think the person who wrote the screenplay is aware of, or even read, the book that it's supposed to be based on.
I honestly don't have anything good to say about it.
I have read the book a couple of times, so I feel like I know the characters. The people in this bear absolutely no recognisable characteristics to those in the book.
Even the way the actual portable door is used, which in the book makes sense, in this pile of steaming manure is stupid.
I really wish I could sue someone for the time I wasted on this dross.
Even if you haven't read the book, avoid this poop.
So bad!!!
I honestly don't have anything good to say about it.
I have read the book a couple of times, so I feel like I know the characters. The people in this bear absolutely no recognisable characteristics to those in the book.
Even the way the actual portable door is used, which in the book makes sense, in this pile of steaming manure is stupid.
I really wish I could sue someone for the time I wasted on this dross.
Even if you haven't read the book, avoid this poop.
So bad!!!
- richiexrv-23724
- Apr 7, 2023
- Permalink
- jaysmith-54204
- Apr 8, 2023
- Permalink
- jaykhanmoviefilm
- Apr 25, 2023
- Permalink
'The Portable Door (2023)' is really bizarre, and I'm not just talking about it's purposefully peculiar plot. Instead, the piece is strange when it comes to its pacing and plotting. Its story doesn't really come into its own until it nears its conclusion, leaving most of the runtime dedicated to the bumbling protagonist's extended introduction to the potentially interesting world of work he stumbles into. There are several ideas here that are relatively intriguing, but almost none of them are developed to any real degree. The affair sort of just throws everything at the wall to see what sticks, but nothing does. Although the actors are all doing their best with the material (especially Sam Neill and Christoph Waltz, both of whom are in this far more than I expected them to be), most of the movie is simply boring. Its finale devolves into near-incomprehensible nonsense stuffed with unconvincing effects work and ham-fisted resolutions. It's somewhat baffling, to be honest, and its execution makes it far more confusing than it ought to be. Ultimately, this is a total dud. It isn't entertaining on any real level, despite not being particularly egregious. It simply isn't noteworthy in any positive way.
- Pjtaylor-96-138044
- Apr 17, 2023
- Permalink
This film of almost two hours could be an excellent film if, inter alia, it were shortened to not much more than ninety minutes-though some scenes particularly at the beginning, were unnecessarily rushed.
For example, a lengthy episode of our two leads wandering into some very attractive places, several times, and then just sitting therein admiring the view could be a much shorter but more entertaining montage.
A cynic might call this a live-action remake of Monsters Inc. As far as the conceit of a door which leads people into other places goes.
Despite its being co-produced by the Jim Henson Company the goblins looked ugly but charmless.
For example, a lengthy episode of our two leads wandering into some very attractive places, several times, and then just sitting therein admiring the view could be a much shorter but more entertaining montage.
A cynic might call this a live-action remake of Monsters Inc. As far as the conceit of a door which leads people into other places goes.
Despite its being co-produced by the Jim Henson Company the goblins looked ugly but charmless.
- therealinformal
- Apr 10, 2023
- Permalink
- frank-liesenborgs
- Apr 6, 2023
- Permalink
Out of work Paul (Patrick Gibson) somehow managed to get himself a paid internship role at a mysterious company lead by the deeply strange Christopher Waltz and Sam Neill. When it is discovered that he has certain gifts, Waltz gives Paul a secret commission to locate a portable door, hidden somewhere in the building. All is not what it seems though and joined by new friend / colleague Rosie, a vast and dangerous adventure begins.
Whilst there are clearly Harry Potter influences here, this charming, fun and sometimes witty family adventure manages to stand on its own 2 feet. It isn't a big effects picture, but it's full of good set pieces, has a good story and Gibson is a strong lead with Waltz and particularly Neill, who is very funny in this, providing great support. Good fun.
Whilst there are clearly Harry Potter influences here, this charming, fun and sometimes witty family adventure manages to stand on its own 2 feet. It isn't a big effects picture, but it's full of good set pieces, has a good story and Gibson is a strong lead with Waltz and particularly Neill, who is very funny in this, providing great support. Good fun.
- french-michaelfrench
- Apr 8, 2023
- Permalink
I always enjoyed watching movies that touches on the mysterious wizarding world just like the Harry potter series, but not this one.
The main goal of most movies is to entertain their targeted audience, which is a goal this one failed miserably to accomplish.
In summary the movie is about a mysterious magical company that hires the protagnist for a mysterious job that needs to be done ASAP, and it's up to you to figuer out what the hell is going on.
To put it straight and forward, the plot in general felt rushed with little explanation and the world building felt empty.
But i guess it's good if you looking for something to watch with family, no profanity, no nudity as far as i remember because it's pretty much a forgettable movie.
The main goal of most movies is to entertain their targeted audience, which is a goal this one failed miserably to accomplish.
In summary the movie is about a mysterious magical company that hires the protagnist for a mysterious job that needs to be done ASAP, and it's up to you to figuer out what the hell is going on.
To put it straight and forward, the plot in general felt rushed with little explanation and the world building felt empty.
But i guess it's good if you looking for something to watch with family, no profanity, no nudity as far as i remember because it's pretty much a forgettable movie.
In The Portable Door, a nebbish gets a job at a company where at first no one will explain what the company is or what he does at it. Turns out it's a sorcery shop and all the executives seem to be out to get each other.
It's all very light and amusing, with good performances. At the same time, it sometimes seems to be trying to hard to be quirky for the sake of being quirky, and in the second half things get a little jumbled and there were elements I couldn't follow and only figured out far past when they should have been clear.
I'd never heard of this movie when I found it listed on an airplane's entertainment system, and only watched it because I liked the title, but I did really enjoy it overall and would recommend it even if you're on solid ground.
It's all very light and amusing, with good performances. At the same time, it sometimes seems to be trying to hard to be quirky for the sake of being quirky, and in the second half things get a little jumbled and there were elements I couldn't follow and only figured out far past when they should have been clear.
I'd never heard of this movie when I found it listed on an airplane's entertainment system, and only watched it because I liked the title, but I did really enjoy it overall and would recommend it even if you're on solid ground.
This starts off feeling like an adult surreal, mind-bending, possibly psychotropic kind of affair - but quickly changes into something more family friendly.
After about fifteen minutes we are made aware that the world contains all sorts of fantasy type characters and it gets a bit more fluffy - the Jim Henderson tag should be a give away.
The main character is very good and not your typical hero and the supporting cast all do a great job - Sam Neil is obviously having a lot of fun here.
The story unfolds and interesting stuff happens until it all ends. Pretty much what a film should do.
As I was watching interesting characters stepped from behind the curtain then dash off again.
It gave me the sneaking feeling that this is actually a part of a series of books?
I was spot on - it looks like there are eight of them at time of writing.
This means that if you like this there are likely to be more on the way but it does mean this isn't a film that stands solely on its own and some scenes are clearly foreshadowing.
A good fun family film with some silly fantasy elements that kids will love and adults can relax to.
After about fifteen minutes we are made aware that the world contains all sorts of fantasy type characters and it gets a bit more fluffy - the Jim Henderson tag should be a give away.
The main character is very good and not your typical hero and the supporting cast all do a great job - Sam Neil is obviously having a lot of fun here.
The story unfolds and interesting stuff happens until it all ends. Pretty much what a film should do.
As I was watching interesting characters stepped from behind the curtain then dash off again.
It gave me the sneaking feeling that this is actually a part of a series of books?
I was spot on - it looks like there are eight of them at time of writing.
This means that if you like this there are likely to be more on the way but it does mean this isn't a film that stands solely on its own and some scenes are clearly foreshadowing.
A good fun family film with some silly fantasy elements that kids will love and adults can relax to.
- thekarmicnomad
- Apr 1, 2024
- Permalink