"James and the Giant Peach" is a neat film...one I enjoyed watching. However, I strongly recommend you think twice about letting younger kids watch it...or, perhaps you should watch it with them. Why? Because the film is pure nightmare fuel, thanks to a script by the master of childhood trauma, Roald Dahl! And, if you aren't sure, see the film yourself first and then judge whether or not it's appropriate for your kids.

The story is a combination of live action and stop-motion, done, according to IMDB to cut costs as stop-motion is quite expensive. The introduction is very sweet and shows James with his loving parents. Then, out of the blue, you're told that he's now an orphan as a giant sky rhino ate them!! And, as a result, he goes to live with two aunts who make Harry Potter's family, the Dursleys, look like candidates for sainthood!

There is an escape from this hellish existence when a giant (and I am talking BIG) peach grows on the aunts' property. It turns out to be a magical one...infested with nice hugs who accompany James across the ocean to New York City!! Along the way, there are a lot of songs and brushes with death...or near-death!

So is it any good? Well, the stop-motion animation is gorgeous and it's not surprising since it was directed by Henry Selick, the guy responsible for "THe Nightmare Before Christmas" was well as the wonderful films from Laika Studios (such as "Coraline" and "The Box Trolls").

Overall, a wonderful adventure film with only two problems. The film is closed captioned EXCEPT for the songs. There are no captions at all for the songs...which is crazy since it's a musical!! Additionally, as I mentioned above, the film is incredibly scary...you just have to see it to see what I mean. Had it been a tad less trauma-inducing, I could have scored this one a 9 or possibly a 10!

True, it isn't as good as the book, which is a childhood favourite of mine, but it is still a delightful and charming film. The look of the film is splendid, with bright colours in most scenes and some very memorable scenes such as the killer sharks, and the peach was stupendous. The script is very clever and funny, especially with Centipede, who has some truly hilarious lines. The performances are exceptional, Paul Terry is very appealing as James and Pete Postelthwaite delights as the mysterious man, who is responsible for changing James's life forever. There is also a terrific voice cast, including Simon Callow, Richard Dreyfuss, Susan Sarandon and David Thewlis who breathe fresh air into the screenplay, but it is certainly Miriam Margoyles and Joanna Lumley as the ghastly aunts who steal the show. I do however have two complaints of the film. I did find Randy Newman's songs forgettable, and they occasionally mar the film's pacing, and Paul Terry's singing voice just was a bit weak. Other than that, it is a delightful film, with an 8/10. Bethany Cox

Back in 1996 my six year old nephew recommended to me in no uncertain terms that I ought to see James And The Giant Peach. It took over 20 years but I finally got to see it. My nephew was quite correct and perspicacious.

This film is a wonderful fantasy adventure that more than little kids will enjoy. It's based on a Roald Dahl story and the film is a mixture of live action and animation.

Young James loses his parents and goes to live with a couple of maiden aunts who are a mean pair, making Cinderella's stepsisters like a couple of Girl Scouts. One day like Jack got those magic beans, James got some magic seeds and a peach blossomed on a dead tree. And it grew bigger and bigger until it was as large as a house and was dimensionally like the rabbit hole Alice fell into.

That's what happens to young James played here by Paul Terry and most winningly. Fruit can be the host to many creatures and the animated creatures are given voices by such people as Susan Sarandon, Richard Dreyfuss, Simon Callow and more. The group goes through a lot of adventures living in a giant peach that is used for transportation and living quarters.

The film got an Oscar nomination for Best Musical Scoring. It will be one eternal kid's fantasy for kids of all ages. My nephew knew how to pick a winner.