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Edinburgh International Film Festival · 2021

Edinburgh International Film Festival 2021

Film Fest On The Forth

Programme

8 films · 8 reviews

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Brave

Review preview for Brave

While Brave may occasionally shy away from darker territory in order to retain its appeal for even the youngest of audiences, there are still plenty of 'big' ideas here for small minds to think about.

Amber Wilkinson · 4.5 out of 5
A princess gets more than she bargains for when she asks for a spell.

(Country: US; Year: 2012; Director: Mark Andrews, Brenda Chapman, Steve Purcell; Writer: Mark Andrews, Steve Purcell, Brenda Chapman, Irene Mecchi, Brenda Chapman; Stars: Kelly Macdonald, Emma Thompson, Kevin McKidd, Julie Walters, Billy Connolly, Robbie Coltrane, Craig Ferguson, John Ratzenberger)

Full review

The Illusionist

Review preview for The Illusionist

The Illusionist has a sense of humour, a sense of wonder, and a sense of place, and in combination that's enough to make it magical.

Andrew Robertson · 4 out of 5
A stage entertainer dedicated to a dying art finds his life transformed by a chance encounter with a young devotee.

(Country: UK, France; Year: 2010; Director: Sylvain Chomet; Writer: Sylvain Chomet, Jacques Tati)

Full review

Jaws

Review preview for Jaws

Jaws is a well-made, nuanced, gamble of a film that paid off handsomely and assured Spielberg's future.

Chris · 4.5 out of 5
A small seaside community dependent on tourism is terrorised by a great white shark with a hunger for human flesh.

(Country: USA; Year: 1975; Director: Steven Spielberg; Writer: Peter Benchley and Carl Gottlieb, based on the novel by Peter Benchley.; Stars: Roy Scheider, Robert Shaw, Richard Dreyfuss, Lorraine Gary, Murray Hamilton, Carl Gottlieb)

Full review

Moana

Review preview for Moana

The truth is, as much as Disney wants to inspire its young viewers, it also knows what sells.

Anton Bitel · 3.5 out of 5
A young woman goes on an adventure with a demi-god.

(Country: US; Year: 2016; Director: Ron Clements, Don Hall, John Musker, Chris Williams; Writer: Jared Bush, from a story by Ron Clements, John Musker, Don Hall, Chris Williams, Pamela Ribon, Aaron Kandell, Jordan Kandell; Stars: Auli'i Cravalho, Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson, Rachel House, Temuera Morrison, Jemaine Clement, Nicole Scherzinger, Alan Tudyk, Oscar Kightley, Troy Polamalu, Puanani Cravalho, Louise Bush)

Full review

Titanic

Review preview for Titanic

What raises Cameron's creation above costumed action spectacle is the quality of the writing and the chemistry of its juve leads.

Angus Wolfe Murray · 4.5 out of 5
An epic disaster movie, with added passion and icebergs. Re-released for its 25th anniversary.

(Country: US; Year: 1997; Director: James Cameron; Writer: James Cameron; Stars: Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet, Billy Zane, Kathy Bates, Frances Fisher, Gloria Stuart, Bill Paxton, Bernard Hill, David Warner, Victor Garber, Jonathan Hyde)

Full review

The Water Horse: Legend Of The Deep (The Water Horse)

Review preview for The Water Horse: Legend Of The Deep

Quite possibly the best of its kind.

Jennie Kermode · 3.5 out of 5
A lonely young boy discovers a magical egg and befriends the strange creature which hatches from it. Plus read our exclusive interview with Jay Russell.

(Country: US; Year: 2007; Director: Jay Russell; Writer: Robert Nelson Jacobs, based on the book by Dick King-Smith; Stars: Alex Etel, Ben Chaplin, Emily Watson, David Morrissey, Marshall Napier, Brian Cox, Craig Hall, Priyanka Xi) , Official site

Full review See: David Morrissey interview on The Reaping

Whale Rider

Review preview for Whale Rider

Deftly avoiding cliches, it interweaves traditional and modern elements so smoothly that one scarcely notices the contrast.

Jennie Kermode · 4 out of 5
Granddaughter of Maori chief in modern New Zealand suffers rejection for her gender.

(Country: New Zealand/Germany; Year: 2002; Director: Niki Caro; Writer: Niki Caro, based on the novel by Witi Ihimaera; Stars: Keisha Castle-Hughes, Rawiri Paratene, Vicky Haughton, Cliff Curtis, Rawinia Clarke, Tammy Davis, Grant Roa)

Full review

Whisky Galore! (Tight Little Island)

Review preview for Whisky Galore!

Commentators have dismissed Mackendrick's comedy about the islanders of Todday as stereotypical, patronising and tame, but it is outrageously funny and highly subversive.

Brian Pendreigh · 4 out of 5
Classic Ealing comedy where a group of Scottish islanders rescue and hide a shipwrecked cargo of whisky.

(Country: UK,; Year: 1949; Director: Alexander Mackendrick; Writer: Compton MacKenzie, Angus MacPhail, based on the novel by Compton MacKenzie; Stars: Basil Radford, Catherine Lacey, Bruce Seton, Joan Greenwood, Wylie Watson, Gabrielle Blunt, Gordon Jackson, Jean Cadell, James Robertson Justice, Morland Graham, John Gregson, James Woodburn, James Anderson, Jameson Clark, Duncan Macrae, Mary MacNeil, Nor)

Full review