The Disappointing Reality of “Harold and the Purple Crayon” Film Adaptation
As a devoted admirer of Crockett Johnson’s 1955 classic “Harold and the Purple Crayon,” the idea of a film adaptation always brought a mix of excitement and concern. The charm of Harold’s imaginative adventures has made the book a cherished gift for every newborn in my circle, complete with a purple crayon. Yet, the inconsistent quality of past adaptations of beloved children’s books left me wary. For instance, while Spike Jonze’s “Where the Wild Things Are” captivated audiences, the disastrous live-action “The Cat in the Hat” serves as a grim reminder of how wrong such adaptations can go.
Now, “Harold and the Purple Crayon” has hit theaters in a live-action format, and the result is, unfortunately, more akin to the latter. The film opens with a promising 2-D animated sequence that captures the essence of Harold’s original adventures, narrated by Alfred Molina. This sequence, however, lasts a mere 90 seconds before the film descends into a chaotic narrative that feels more like a poor imitation of “Jumanji” than a faithful homage to Johnson’s work. The movie superficially praises creativity but fails to demonstrate any genuine innovation during its lengthy runtime.
From Book to Screen: A Rocky Transition
After the brief recap of Harold’s classic story, we are introduced to a grown-up Harold (Zachary Levi), who continues to explore his animated world with friends Moose (Lil Rel Howery) and Porcupine (Tanya Reynolds), along with the ever-present narrator’s voice. When the narrator’s voice suddenly vanishes, Harold uses his magical crayon to draw a portal to our world, embarking on a quest to find him. What follows is a convoluted plot where Harold and Moose, inexplicably human at times, encounter Terri (Zooey Deschanel) and her son Melvin (Benjamin Bottani), who are grieving the loss of Mel’s father.
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Terri inexplicably allows these strangers to stay overnight, leading Harold to bond with Melvin, who has his own imaginary creature. Meanwhile, Porcupine is off on her own adventure, causing harmless mischief. The next day, while Terri is at work at Ollie’s — a place given undue focus compared to Johnson’s book — Melvin aids Harold and Moose in their search, leading to various slapstick scenes. They also meet Gary (Jermaine Clement), a creepy librarian and aspiring novelist, who reveals Harold’s true nature as a character from a book. This revelation sends them on a futile journey to Crockett Johnson’s house, which Google conveniently locates but omits crucial details.
A Dubious Endeavor
Transforming a 64-page book into a full-length feature was always ambitious, but even the most skeptical viewers might not have predicted such a dire outcome. Harold has been transformed from a beloved character into an irritating screen presence, thanks to a clumsy screenplay by David Guion and Michael Handelman. Their attempt to craft Harold into a charming free spirit, reminiscent of Buddy from “Elf,” falls flat, making him insufferable. Levi’s performance only exacerbates this, coming off as forced and unnatural under Carlos Saldanha’s heavy-handed direction.
The film suffers from a choppy narrative, lackluster visuals, and uninspired CGI set-pieces. The sentimental moments are unearned, and the portrayal of a librarian as the antagonist in a movie meant to celebrate children’s literature is particularly frustrating.
A Cynical Exploitation
Before criticizing me for not viewing this film through a child’s eyes, consider the apparent lack of effort from those behind “Harold and the Purple Crayon” to genuinely engage young audiences. The film seems more focused on capitalizing on a recognizable IP to attract families looking for alternatives to “Inside Out 2” or “Despicable Me 4” rather than honoring the original book’s legacy.
Ultimately, “Harold and the Purple Crayon” feels like a product created under the misguided notion that children will accept anything labeled as “family entertainment” as long as it’s loud and colorful. If you truly care about enriching your children’s experiences, skip this movie. Instead, invest in Johnson’s original book and its sequels. Trust me, they will appreciate it much more in the long run.
