Halloweentown High

While “Halloweentown High,” released in 2004, isn’t the cleverest of films with monsters and knights acting as symbolism for civil rights, it does succeed in completely realizing the character of Marnie who is no longer a student and now just a matriarch of other students wanting to migrate over to the human world. Kimberly J. Brown is as good and lovable as the character of Marnie who decides to take the role of playing civil rights leader by wanting some of the monsters from Halloweentown should be allowed to attend a human school when talking about diversity and equality. The deal is by Halloween if she hasn’t made progress, her powers will be taken away. This gives a more open debate for new characters, all who have their own likable traits and habits. One is a goblin, another is a werewolf, another is a wood nymph, etc. Marnie plays their protector this time supervising the new exchange students, and falling in love with a new kid named Cody, played by Finn Wittrock.

Surprisingly their relationship is actually entertaining as Marnie has trouble balancing her responsibilities with the exchange students, her grandma Aggie and her new relationship with Cody, while also trying to find out who is the new threat for the students of Halloweentown. Felix Vasquez said in his review, “The metaphors don’t end as the new villain is the Knights of the Silver Dagger, a group of KKK-like extremists devoted to killing the monsters and snuffing out magic, potentially thwarting Marnie’s attempts to strive for equality and bringing both worlds together. Brown really makes this character her own providing an enthusiasm and whimsy that makes her one of the more attractive fantasy heroines of the Disney gamut.” Debbie Reynolds is always good in her role of Aggie, the unusual witch also trying to adapt to her surroundings and help Marnie’s mission.

Vasquez noted, “As mentioned the symbolism is clunky most times (Can brother Dylan (Joey Zimmerman) learn to accept crush Natalie the Pink Troll (Olesya Rulin) for her personality and not be bothered by her pink skin and long hair?), but the movie does manage to be rather entertaining with the mysterious new villains making their threats upon the students and trying to find a way to keep this plan from fruition. “Halloweentown High” is definitely one of the weakest of the four, but Brown and Reynolds truly manage to keep the story afloat and the writers manage to blend the magical elements with the real world elements very well with a lizard bag, a portal locker, and some other assorted gags that twist the premise in to something more teen oriented in the end.” One of the more obvious flaws of this film is that Halloweentown is not seen and we only see a glimpse of the big pumpkin.

Whether it’s low budget or doesn’t have the need for it, Halloweentown is missing in the film, and we’re never really told why these monsters want to attend a human high school. Even though the film is titled “Halloweentown High,” the monsters attend a human school. Vasquez noted, “This allows for goofy far-fetched moments completely out of character which include Aggie making a monster face in front of her class with little reaction from anyone, and some rather hilarious social commentary disguised as comedy. The moment where the exchange students frown and groan at the portrayal of monsters at the local Halloween shop is pretty funny and clunky to say the least. While it is an interesting attempt to add depth and relevance to their plight, it’s a cheesy moment nonetheless that really clubs us over the head with its morals.” You will also find it really stupid and have a facepalm moment when you find out that werewolves are actually vegetarians.

Sophie, played by Emily Roeske, is not in the movie so much which is sad seeing how her character was developed so much in the last movie and only appears in a couple of scenes and remains in the background for the remainder of the film, and Luke is also not in this film and never mentioned or appearing, which also sucks seeing that he was a very entertaining character. Vasquez said, “I was also never quite clear as to why the council of Halloweentown would want to take the Cromwell’s magic. Isn’t it embedded in their genetic code or something? How does that even work?” Even Marnie’s mom, reprised by Judith Hoag, still has her magic despite being against it so she can have a normal life with her husband. It’s really weird and just weak to continue the story in a rather weak movie. Vasquez noted, ‘In the end it really tries to twist the original premise for “Halloweentown” but with its lack of the actual town, key characters, plot holes, and some truly annoying PSA’s shoved down our throats, I’m not in any rush to see this ever again.” Brown and Reynolds know how to keep these movies going at a nice pace, so if you want the last dance of these two good actresses in this franchise, this is your best bet.

Sorry to say, but this shows the franchise is going downhill. If you find any enjoyment in them, great, but I don’t. If you liked the second movie, I would have to say avoid seeing this one because you will not like it at all. However, if you want to see it because you like the franchise, then be my guest. If you end up liking it, great, but for anyone else, they will find this entry to be pretty dull.

Alright everyone tomorrow is exciting because I will be looking at the next Kim Possible movie in “Disney Channel Original Movie Month.”