Garfield
Dir: Peter Hewitt
2004
*
Back in 2004 I don't think we knew that we didn't want live action versions of our favorite old cartoon strips, anticipation was quickly followed by disappointment, at for original fans. Getting Bill Murray to do the voice was great, although he has since said he made a mistake and thought it was another film, he did a fine job but I couldn't get why Odie and other characters weren't animated too!? Apart from a few funny moments, this film turns away from any interesting story-line and replies purely on what they could do with their fancy computer animation. It should have been a 2D cartoon with the original animation. It's another example of 'just because you can, doesn't mean you should'. Even for a kids film (even though it should be for original fans) it is rather dull.

The Maiden Heist
Dir: Peter Hewitt
2009
***
The central idea is a sweet one but the story and plot is full of holes and pointless subplots, basically it's the worst kind of Heist film in that respect. It doesn't help that it was totally mis-sold as a real crime caper instead of the light-hearted comedy that it really is. The front cover of the copy I watched (the UK version) has a picture of all three actors holding guns, something that none of them did in the film. Why do that I wonder? No one is going to thank or trust you for tricking them into seeing something they don't necessarily want to see. The Heist or The Maiden Heist isn't a great Heist film but the idea and more importantly, the four main actors Morgan Freeman, Christopher Walken, William H. Macy and Marcia Gay Harden make it highly watchable and very likable. It's this likability that is so strong that you will forgive most it's flaws and enjoy, I certainly did anyway.

Zoom
Dir: Peter Hewitt
2006
*
Zoom is a cross between the X-Men, Sky High and The Incredibles but isn't anywhere near as good as either one of them. The script is awful. The story had a lot going for it but it concentrates too much on less important aspects of the story/situation rather than what the film should be all about. It's nice to see Chevy Chase again, shame it was in this though. Watch Tim Allen closely, you can see him slowly dying of shame in every scene. Watch Sky High instead or read a book, go for a walk, anything but this.

The Borrowers
Dir: Peter Hewitt
1997
**
I've always quite liked the idea and the story of The Borrowers and as much as I liked the cast and performances of this film, I was constantly confused and distracted by the mix of English and American. Where is this Anglo-American land? Do American kids not watch a film unless at least one cast member is from the United States? Do all English people drive Morris Minors? I wish. Style, if you can call it that, over substance. You can spot late 90's kids films a mile away.