Die Kleine Hexe (The Little Witch)

A novice witch (Karoline Herfurth as Kleine Hexe), full of pluck and curious mischief, abounding with energy and playful vigour, seeks to attend the communal Walpurgis Night, even though she lacks the requisite age.

She's only 127.

But she still feels it's in her best interests to clandestinely attend, ignoring the counsel of her loving raven (Axel Prahl as Abraxas), who advises caution with reliable amiability.

She's bored and can't resist the lure of good times however, and soon finds herself engaged in outright revel, doing her best to cavort at ease, underneath the enchanting night sky.

But she's discovered, and reprimanded severely, forced to engage in voluminous study, under threat of the loss of her powers.

She's too light of heart for the others, yet wants to fit in regardless, but has trouble spreading fear and contempt, as she's coldly encouraged to do.

Abraxas warns her.

And her actions are under surveillance.

But warmth and good cheer still spellbindingly animate, as if kindness were resolute, and understanding crystal clear.

A spirited apprenticeship.

Enriching good deeds.

Die Kleine Hexe (The Little Witch) briskly excels at conjuring mirth and wonder, unconcerned with traditional role play, enamoured with innocent charm.

Tasks can indeed be clad in bemusement, and rigour as fabled as distress or scorn, but slowly and surely hard work endeavours, to bewitch the belittlingly thorned.

If you're not fond of Kleine Hexe and her raven, the film may seem a little (or way) too much, but if you appreciate their wondrous candour, it overflows with bizarro amour.

He's a cutey.

Grown weary with the passage of time.

Focusing too intently on Hexe's relationship with the older witches may have resulted in too much conflict, even if the ending's far too easy.

As it stands, Hexe's goodwill and daring affably adjudicate, even if she struggles beneath a grouchy unamused cloud.

Not Abraxas, the other witches.

I thought it was going to be a cartoon when I bought my ticket, but was still pleasantly surprised by the sets and costumes.

Not as well balanced as the Harry Potter films in terms of magical diversity, old witches bad, young witches good, but perhaps such a comment is well beyond the film's target audience, which may have been no older than nine, at least younger than 11, although really, what's a postmodernist to say?

I thought it might be a new European Secret of NIMH or Last Unicorn.

And wish ravens could talk.

Alright film.

Overflowing with fun.

Character driven.