This is a fun flick.
The actors do a good job. Delta Burke is excellent and Lynn Redgrave has many funny lines. The child actors did a good job as well. And while I usually don't care much about Howie Mandell, I think he struck the right note as the Sandman.
Yes, the sets are simple, but this is a fairy tale. Fairy tales are skin and bones--nighttime stories--they are not meant to be miracles of on-location production.
Maybe I'm old school, but I'll take a good story with good actors on a simple stage over fancy special effects any time. My wife and I watched Hansel and Gretel after we watched Cloverfield (with all of its special effects, including intentional shaky camera),and we thought H&G was way better.
Plus, there is no swearing, no boob or penis jokes, and no gratuitous violence. Not that I'm a prude, but I think they did a good job of preserving the message of the movie: magic resides in our dreams.
A fun film for the entire family.
Hansel & Gretel
2002
Comedy / Family / Fantasy / Thriller
Hansel & Gretel
2002
Comedy / Family / Fantasy / Thriller
Plot summary
If you go down to the woods tonight be sure of the biggest surprise of your life! When Hansel and Gretel's wicked stepmother leads them into the dark forest, the children find themselves in an enchanted world of magical creatures and hideous monsters. But when they stumble upon a house made of sweets things take a turn for the worse, as inside the cottage is an evil witch who's hungry. And Hansel and Gretel have a sneaking suspicion they might be on the menu! But will the ever-forgetful Sandman and the runny-nosed Boogeyman be able to save them?—Anonymous
Uploaded by: FREEMAN
Director
Top cast
Movie Reviews
A fun family film
cheap ugly looking kids movie
A father reads a bedtime story to his kids (Dakota Fanning). It's the story of Hansel (Jacob Smith) & Gretel (Taylor Momsen). While their father (Gerald McRaney) is away, the evil stepmother (Delta Burke) abandons the kids in the Magic Forest. They meet the Boogeyman (Tom Arnold) and a Troll (Bobcat Goldthwait). They befriend the Sandman (Howie Mandel) and a Wood Faerie (Alana Austin). They get lost in a storm and encounter a Witch (Lynn Redgrave) with her delicious house.
This is a cheap ugly looking movie. The sets are bad. The Troll and Boogeyman costumes are really ugly and cheap. I don't even know why they are needed for the movie. Howie Mandel is being a little wacky which is good. Alana Austin is sexed up with her short shorts and a gun? I don't know why the camera is lingering on her legs for this kids movie. The movie goes to Lynn Redgrave and that section is fine. Although I always thought the point of the story is that the kids got greedy.
Loved as a child
Really unhappy with all of the bad reviews! I watched this all of the time as a child and loved it. Probably wouldn't keep the interest of an adult, but surely a classic for Hansel & Gretel.