' THE TWITS ' : CHILDREN'S ' FILM REVIEW

A film adaptation of Roald Dahl's classic children's book The Twits has been promised for more than two decades.

The Netflix animation plays to the strength of the beloved classic, while adapting it to present times. Dark humour, many pranks, twists and turns to ensure an enjoyable visual feast.

The film was written, directed and produced by the Oscar-nominated filmmaker Phil Johnston, also known for his animated films Wreck-it Ralph [2012] and Zootopia [ 2016 ].

The Twits is a fast paced, whirlwind animation that speaks to audiences of all ages.

In the contemporary adaptation, the vindictive Mr. and Mrs. Twit [ Johnny Vegas and Margo Martindale ] are just owners of a dilapidated amusement park Twitlandia.

In a reinterpretation from the original plot, the park is now located in America, and its attractions include rides made out of toilets. The derelict rides are powered by the Maggle-Wumps - colourful monkey-like creatures that are held prisoners by the Twits.

The Twits spread their spite towards each other all over their hometown. When Twitlandia gets shut down by the police, they choose to take revenge on the city.

Their evil scheming is uncovered by two unlikely heroes, orphans Beesha (Maitreyi Ramakrishnan) and Bupsie (Ryan Anderson Lopez), who set out to unmask the Twits and free the Muggle-Wumps from their misery.

The story leans on the original while reimagining it for global audiences, combining Dahl's dark humour with a contemporary tale of public deceit.

The Twits remain as intransigently nasty and detestable as in the original book, in keeping with Dahl's fairytale juxtaposition of good versus evil.

ANIMATION ARTISTRY : Some critics have taken issue with the Americanisation of the plot. But from an animation perspective, the film's craftsmanship and collaboration 3D animation expertise will warrant recognition.

The environment design is complex and visually eclectic. The lighting design, meanwhile, is successfully atmospheric and supports the moody and dark twilight present throughout most of the story world.

The World Students Society thanks Oliver Gingrich. The writer is Programme Lead BA [Hons]  Animation at the University of Greenwich in the UK.