On Friday, September 30th,  20th Century Fox released the new Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children movie, directed by Tim Burton. The movie stemmed from the three-part young adult novel by Ransom Riggs.

In the first book, the reader is introduced to the main character Jacob, or Yakob. After his grandfather dies by an attack from “wild dogs,” he becomes curious about his grandfather’s mysterious past. He and his father take a trip to Wales to find the orphanage where his grandfather said he stayed. After exploring the now dilapidated orphanage, Jacob accidently stumbles through a small cave, leading back to the building. But the building is beautiful, still built, and filled with life! He goes on to meet new friends, who are very special, or more like peculiar. He goes on a journey with his new peculiar friends, fights monsters called Hollowgasts, and finds love!

The movie depicts only the events of the first book out of the three-book series. Subsequent books in the series are Hollow City and Library of Souls.

Director Tim Burton is also known for films such as Beetlejuice, Big Fish, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. His first work was The Island of Doctor Agor, made when he was just a young adult at the  age of thirteen. Burton is known for his often dark or macabre story lines and whimsical style in which he brings fantasy to life.  Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children is no exception.

I enjoyed and recommend both the movie and the book. Burton kept the movie quite close to Random Riggs’s intentions, just changing a few of the characters’ powers and ages. The movie was well made, including an elaborate and eye-catching setting and effective development of the characters’ personalities. Alma Peregrine, played by actress Eva Green, stayed true to her character from the book: sometimes sassy, sometimes fierce, or even scary. Emma, played by actress Ella Purnell, stayed true to her character as well, skeptical of romance near the start but slowly getting more comfortable. Audiences may be drawn to the film for the casting of talented and well known actors including Oscar nominee Samuel L. Jackson, Oscar winner Judy Dench, Golden Globe nominee Rupert Everett, Golden Globe nominee Allison Janney, and Oscar nominee Terrence Stamp.  The special effects were well done, making the fantasy world seem real. Audiences will feel suspense at key points in the film. I would rate this movie 9/10.

For fans of the fantasy genre, whether you read the books by Random Riggs or see the film, you will be entertained.