RATING: A

Kaleidoscope Entertainment presents a Two Daughters Entertainment/Nottage Productions film in association with Brooksfilms Productions and Cosmo-Giantwheel. Directed by Leon Joosen. Produced by Tony Nottage. Written by Martin Casella and Tony Nottage; based on the audiobook by Francesca Longrigg. Cinematography by Nick Cooke. Edited by Zuri Ainz, Tony Nottage, and Leon Joosen.

Starring the voices of Ewan McGregor, Alisha Weir, Andrei Shen, Terry Jones, Trevor Dion Nicholas, Jessica Henwick, Asa Butterfield, Stefan Ashton Frank, with Helena Bonham Carter, and Mel Brooks.

Based on the audio books, this animated family film brings twins to a magical world.

Twins Alfie and Elise live with their mother in a ramshackled house in the middle of the mountains. Their father, a soldier, has gone missing in action and as a result, things have not bode so well. With Christmas approaching, times have been tough. While Alfie and his mother try to make the most of things, Elise is still reeling from her father’s disappearance and acts out. 

The twins’ mother has gifted them with a wish watch, in which they would be taken to the Land of Sometimes. The mother tells them the story of how their father once found a magical world where all four seasons can be spent in a day. At first, the kids are skeptical. However, they soon find themselves in the Land of Sometimes and their greatest dreams are about to come true. When they meet the Wish Collector, they go on an adventure that will change their lives forever. 

Based on the audiobook by Francesca Longrigg, this is a fun family adventure that has the spirit of films like The NeverEnding Story with a dash of a character reminiscent of Willy Wonka himself minus the chocolate factory. There are also elements that bring to mind animated films like The Princess and the Frog and even a bit of Mia and Me or Luna Petunia if you will. 

The story of two polar opposite twins who have their own ways to cope with their father’s disappearance from the sea. Alfie, voiced by Andrei Shen, tries to make the most of things alongside his suffering mom, voiced by Jessica Henwick. However, Elise, voiced by Alisha Weir, acts out and acts a bit entitled at times, always complaining about their situation. It is when their mom talks about a story about the Wish Collector and the Land of Sometimes that brings their wishes to life.

What’s very interesting here is that the Wish Collector, voiced by Ewan McGregor, feels like a Willy Wonka-inspired character based on his mannerisms. He can be nice and sarcastic all within a matter of seconds. He is the one who gives the rules about the twins’ wishes, with the late Terry Jones voicing the Wish Watch, a sometimes mouthy artifact given to the twins by their father in need of emergency. There are a few supporting characters who briefly appear in musical numbers. They are a slug-like creature called the River Slouch Sling, whose number reminds me of Louie from The Princess and the Frog; and Mediocris, a fairy who has no rules voiced by the great Helena Bonham Carter. 

There is also an antagonist in the at-times over the top Guardian, voiced by Stefan Ashton Frank. He keeps spying on the twins and the Wish Collector in hopes to get his hands on the Wish Watch. However, the film gets interesting with a few twists in the story that makes the viewer question which characters are good and those who need to be questioned. There are some emotional moments in the film as well and may have someone shed a tear. 

The Land of Sometimes is fun, sometimes emotional, and a great animated family film. It may not be Disney or Dreamworks, but this is proof that even independently made animated films can be quite fun on their own terms!

The film is currently in theaters in the UK from Kaleidoscope Entertainment, and will get a US digital release on April 7 then on DVD and June 16 from Radial Entertainment.