The opening moments of Harold and the Purple Crayon 2024 movie showcase charming hand-drawn animation reminiscent of the 1955 classic children’s book by Crockett Johnson. This nostalgic touch highlights why the story has remained beloved for nearly 70 years. In the original tale, Harold is a young boy who creates a magical world with his crayon. Unfortunately, in the new live-action/animated adaptation directed by Carlos Saldanha (known for Ferdinand, Rio, and Ice Age), Harold has grown up. Despite the star power of Zachary Levi, the film is unlikely to achieve the same timeless appeal.
Over the years, many attempts to adapt the book into a film have involved notable talents such as Maurice Sendak, David O. Russell, Will Smith, Steven Spielberg, and Spike Jonze (whose version could have been particularly interesting). This current adaptation has faced multiple delays, originally slated for release last winter and summer.
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Harold and the Purple Crayon 2024 movie
The Bottom Line: Very much colors inside the lines.
Release date: Friday, Aug. 2
Cast: Zachary Levi, Lil Rel Howery, Benjamin Bottani, Jemaine Clement, Tanya Reynolds, Alfred Molina, Zooey Deschanel, Pete Gardner, Camille Guaty, Ravi Patel
Director: Carlos Saldanha
Screenwriters: David Guion, Michael Handelman, based on the book by Crockett Johnson
Rated: PG, 1 hour 32 minutes
About Harold and the Purple Crayon 2024 movie.
This New Harold and the Purple Crayon 2024 Movie, In the screenplay by David Guion and Michael Handelman, Harold, eager to explore life beyond his animated world, draws a door labeled “Real World” and steps through it. He emerges as the adult Harold, played by Levi, who looks somewhat out of place wandering around a city park in a onesie. He is soon joined by his cartoon friends Moose and Porcupine, portrayed by Lil Rel Howery and Tanya Reynolds (of Sex Education), respectively.
Without their creator to guide them, Harold and Moose set off in search of their “old man,” resulting in some comedic mishaps with elderly gentlemen. Harold’s crayon comes in handy as he draws them a bicycle built for two. They soon meet widowed single mother Terry (played by the always charming Zooey Deschanel) and her young son Mel (Benjamin Bottani, who exudes cuteness). In a contrived plot twist, they invite Harold and Moose to spend the night in their garage.
Naturally, Harold and Mel bond, with Mel relating to Harold because he has an invisible friend named Carl. Together, they try to find Harold’s creator, leading to various comedic situations where Harold uses his crayon to create numerous objects, including a plane carrying a message for old men to call Terry’s phone number.
Adding to the chaos is the film’s antagonist, Gary (Jemaine Clement, stealing scenes with his humor), a librarian infatuated with Terry who has written a 700-page fantasy novel unlikely to be published. When Gary discovers Harold’s crayon, he uses a stolen piece to pursue his romantic and literary ambitions, culminating in a parody of Sergio Leone’s spaghetti Westerns in an elaborate drawing duel in a park.
Harold and the Purple Crayon 2024 movie official trailer
While young children, the film’s primary audience, will likely enjoy the antics, adults might find themselves reaching for their phones due to the juvenile humor. Levi, familiar with this genre from his role in Shazam!, proves adept at playing an overgrown boy, though he might want to consider different roles to avoid typecasting. Howery adds humor as Moose, though the concept doesn’t fully deliver. Reynolds shines with her quirky portrayal of Porcupine.
In the end, everything resolves nicely, narrated by Alfred Molina in a reverent nod to the original book’s author. The film includes subtle homages to the Tom Hanks classic Big, acknowledging its influence. However, one might hope that future adaptations keep Harold within his enchanting cartoon world. Harold and the Purple Crayon 2024 is really colorful Check out the thriller above. What do you think?
