The Amulet graphic novel is a popular and critically acclaimed series written and illustrated by Kazu Kibuishi. The story follows a young girl named Emily Hayes and her brother, Navin, who move to a house inherited from their deceased great-grandfather. In the basement, they discover a magical amulet that brings them into a strange and dangerous world known as Alledia. The plot revolves around their adventures as they navigate this newfound realm, uncovering ancient secrets and confronting powerful foes. The main idea behind The Amulet graphic novel is the journey of Emily and Navin as they face challenges and grow stronger while also unraveling the mysteries surrounding their family and the amulet. The series is known for its compelling characters, immersive world-building, and stunning artwork, appealing to both young adults and children.
Part of the reason behind that, I think, is director Breck Eisner’s handling of the action scenes: they’re incomprehensible. Unimaginatively staged and hyper-actively shot and edited, it’s impossible to follow what’s going on, and a relief when they’re over.
These two actors are simultaneously in the movie too little and too much their too-few scenes are the most entertaining in the film, but the appropriate amount of screentime for them to have in this dreck would, of course, be zero. As the Queen uses her powers against Kaulder, he grabs his sword and hurls it into the Queen s chest, where it combines with falling lightning bolts to destroy the Queen once again.
The series is known for its compelling characters, immersive world-building, and stunning artwork, appealing to both young adults and children. As the story progresses, Emily assumes the role of a hero and must make tough decisions to protect her family and friends. Kazu Kibuishi's artwork in The Amulet is highly praised for its attention to detail and unique style.
Vin Diesel plays an occult cop in ‘The Last Witch Hunter’
It helps to think of "The Last Witch Hunter" as a paranormal police procedural. Set in New York City, as cop shows often are, it's a story of a brooding investigator (Vin Diesel) trying to solve a crime involving an attack on his partner (Michael Caine). The main difference is the cop is 800 years old and the bad guys are witches.
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Why view it through the smudged and gritty lens of “CSI,” “NYPD Blue” and the like when it works reasonably well as comic book eye candy? Because, by fantasy standards, it’s also dully derivative, evoking everything from “Seventh Son” to the “Harry Potter” movies. As an episode of “Law and Order: Supernatural Victims Unit,” it at least gets the goofball kick it sorely needs.
Diesel plays Kaulder, a witch hunter born in Medieval Europe who is cursed with immortality by the witch queen he slays in the movie’s prologue (Julie Engelbrecht). Fast-forward to modern-day Manhattan, where he’s for all intents and purposes a police detective, tracking down witches who have violated the truce worked out with mortals — by manipulating the weather or some other magical infraction — and bringing them before a tribunal, at which point they do not get burned at the stake but locked up in an enchanted subterranean hoosegow. Much of Kaulder’s job seems to involve occult forensics: collecting, examining and interpreting dead flies, soil samples, bloody fingerprints and mystic runes written in window condensation.
AdvertisementAll that Sherlockian schlepping changes when Kaulder’s friend and Dr. Watson-like chronicler (Caine), a Roman Catholic priest from a secret order known as the Dolans, is attacked and tortured. As the old man lies near death, Kaulder must team with a new young priest (Elijah Wood) and a “good” witch (Rose Leslie), to determine who is behind the crime and what he or she wants. I’m not saying this premise isn’t ridiculous — it is — but from the skewed vantage point of a crime thriller, it’s kind of fun.
Share this article ShareAs Kaulder, Diesel does what he does, rumbling out lines of silly dialogue in his subwoofer of a voice. As far as acting goes, there’s not much. Kaulder is said to have been cursed, yet he seems pretty darn content with his life, sleeping with stewardesses, tinkering with antique watches — a metaphor for endless time? — and sipping fine liquor in his posh condo in between collaring magical malefactors. It’s not a bad life, and Kaulder seems far from the stereotype of the jaded alcoholic flat-foot, tortured by personal loss (as we’re meant to imagine he is, via the frequent flashbacks we’re shown of his dead wife and daughter, killed by a plague conjured by the witch queen).
As for action, the special-effects-laden fight scenes are ho-hum, incoherent and badly lit. It’s often hard to tell what some warlock or scorpion-like beast is doing and to whom.
The supernatural mystery genre is hot right now. “The Last Witch Hunter” joins “Grimm,” “Sleepy Hollow” and their small-screen ilk. Diesel doesn’t cut it as a defender of the human race against the forces of hell. But he’s not half bad as the next Sgt. Joe “Freaky” Friday.
PG-13. At area theaters. Contains some coarse language, action violence and scary images. 106 minutes.
I’m getting ahead of myself. Witch Hunter opens in unspecified medieval times, where a group of Vikings led by Kaulder (Vin Diesel) embarks on a raid upon a witch fortress. Though Kaulder saves humanity by killing the Witch Queen, she leaves him with the curse of (drumroll please)… eternal life!
The illustrations effectively bring the magical world of Alledia to life, capturing the readers' imaginations and enhancing their reading experience. The graphic novel format allows for a more dynamic storytelling, combining visual elements with dialogues and narrative descriptions. The Amulet graphic novel series has also been commended for its themes of bravery, loyalty, and the importance of family. The characters' growth and relationships are central to the narrative, showcasing the bonds and sacrifices made for loved ones. The story also highlights the consequences of power and the struggle between good and evil. Overall, The Amulet graphic novel is a captivating series that offers an exciting adventure filled with magic, danger, and personal growth. Through striking artwork and a well-crafted narrative, Kazu Kibuishi delivers a compelling story that resonates with readers of all ages..
Reviews for "The Amulet" and the Power of Imagination: How the Series Sparks Creativity"
1. Emily - 1 star
I really didn't enjoy "The Amulet Graphic Novel" at all. The plot was confusing and poorly developed, making it difficult to understand what was happening or why. The characters felt flat and lacked depth, making it hard to connect or care about their journey. Additionally, the artwork was underwhelming and didn't enhance the story in any significant way. Overall, I was extremely disappointed in this graphic novel and wouldn't recommend it to anyone.
2. Alex - 2 stars
While I had high hopes for "The Amulet Graphic Novel", I found it to be quite mediocre. The story felt cliché and predictable, offering nothing new or original to the genre. The artwork, while decent, didn't stand out or leave a lasting impression. I also found the dialogue to be wooden and lacking in emotional depth. It's a shame because I had heard great things about this series, but it just didn't live up to the hype for me.
3. Mark - 1 star
"The Amulet Graphic Novel" was a total letdown for me. The narrative was convoluted and fragmented, often leaving me confused and disengaged from the story. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked any real development, making it difficult to care about their struggles. The illustrations were decent, but didn't elevate the overall experience. I had high hopes for this graphic novel, but sadly, it fell flat in every aspect.