Harold and the Purple Crayon Movie Review: Is it Kid-Friendly and Worth Watching?

Is Harold and the Purple Crayon Suitable for Kids?

Harold and the Purple Crayon is best suited to families with children aged 7 and above. The movie has a rating of PG, with age suitability not recommended for under 7s, and parental guidance suggested for children aged 7-8 years. It includes mild fantasy violence and scary scenes, which may disturb younger children.

Furthermore, the film contains several scenes that could scare or disturb children under 5 years, including the appearance of a scary-looking spider and transformation scenes that might frighten them. Children aged 5-8 years may also be disturbed by themes such as the death of a parent and other frightening imagery.

Even for children aged 8-13 years, there are disturbing elements, such as Harold’s realization about the death of his creator. This may resonate deeply with young viewers. Other than these noted scenes, there is nothing of concern for children aged over 13 years.

Central Messages

The central messages of Harold and the Purple Crayon emphasize believing in oneself and harnessing imagination, making it a fantasy adventure story with good messages. However, due to some scary scenes, it is deemed unsuitable for children under 7 years, warranting parental guidance for those aged 7-8 years.

Additional Insights for Parents

Parents Need to Know: Aged-up picture book adaptation has peril, fight scenes. The movie opens in full animation, with a narrator explaining that Harold has grown into a man, alongside his faithful sidekicks. Despite the charming cast and fantastical crayon creations, this adaptation can’t quite secure its footing because of the aged-up main character. The comedic pratfalls remain appealing to younger viewers, but adults and teens may be put off by Harold as a grown-up man-child.

Although the movie’s crayon creations are fun and imaginative, the premise of aging Harold ultimately doesn’t work in a way that stays in keeping with the joy of the book. Kids may find Harold’s Peter Pan-like nature amusing and will likely delight in Moose’s physical humor, but the overall film is just OK. It’s recommended for kids aged 7+ due to age-appropriate jokes and excitement, but parental discretion is advised because of mild action and thematic elements.

Overall, Harold and the Purple Crayon is a good watch for kids and adults, alike. The visual effects and the art design are wonderful, and lovers of books and the color purple will be amused.

Content Details

There’s not much sexual innuendo within Harold and the Purple Crayon. Gary, the librarian, has a serious crush on Terry, and there’s a scene towards the end of the movie where there’s some talk of dating.

Additionally, there’s some light conflict when Harold’s creations begin to dissipate due to doubt and being misunderstood. There’s occasional chaos when Harold innocently creates things that do not necessarily make sense in the real world. For example, he creates a reality where a little kid is flying in an airplane in a store without realizing that it could damage the store.

Some moments may frighten smaller kids when creative power gets into the wrong hands. For example, Gary the Librarian becomes obsessed with power and makes unwise choices when he gets control of the purple magic crayon.

However, there is some bullying in a school setting that provides a wonderful opportunity for discussing this topic with school-age kids.

In summary, Harold and the Purple Crayon is a fantasy adventure story with a lot of good messages, but some of the scenes are quite scary. Despite its wacky humour, it is not appropriate for people under the age of 16. Children under 7 should not watch it due to violence and scary scenes, while children aged 7–8 should have parental guidance because of violence and scary elements.

Overall, Harold and the Purple Crayon is a good watch for kids and adults, alike. The visual effects and the art design are wonderful, and the storyline can appeal to kids and adults. It’s playful and emotional.

Main Themes Explored in Harold and the Purple Crayon

Main Themes Explored in Harold and the Purple Crayon

  • Deciphering Reality: The overarching theme of Harold and the Purple Crayon is deciphering reality. This theme invites children into a fun and active discussion about what it means to be real and how objects are given power through perception.
  • Perception vs. Reality: This line of questioning leads to the relationship between perception and reality. Questions arise: Must things be experiential to be considered real? Or can they exist solely in our minds? This is reminiscent of the debate between empiricists and rationalists in philosophical study.
    • Rationalists like Descartes believed that the reality of objects lies in our ability to rationally understand them.
    • In contrast, empiricists like Locke argued that physical interaction with objects grants them a sense of universal reality.
  • The Power of Objects: Harold seems to be in danger during part of the story, revealing underlying levels of reality. The feelings Harold has, either sensory or emotional, indicate that objects can hold power over their observers. This power designates a level of ‘reality’ compared to the surrounding world.
  • Existence and Observation: The story provokes thought about whether objects continue to exist when not observed. Physical properties, such as atoms and molecules, contribute to a sense of absolute reality. However, most people understand objects through subjective measurements rather than purely molecular representations.
  • Imagination and Creativity: Harold and the Purple Crayon explores themes of imagination and creativity through the journey of a young boy who creates his own world. This theme illustrates children’s desire for freedom from societal restrictions and their wish to express themselves without limitations.
  • Fears and Direction: Despite Harold’s adventurous spirit, the story reveals his underlying fears and need for direction. He feels obligated to follow the laws of the natural world, grappling with the limitations and uncertainties that come with being a child.
  • Inner Conflicts: The narrative highlights the contrast between a child’s creativity and their fears. For instance, Harold draws a dragon for protection but is frightened by the creature he created, symbolizing the conflicts children face in balancing creativity with fear.
  • Reliance on Authority: The story also reflects the reliance on authority figures, as seen when Harold draws a policeman for guidance. This underscores the theme of seeking reassurance from those perceived as knowledgeable, resonating with many children’s experiences.
  • Growth and Maturity: Ultimately, Harold’s journey signifies potential growth and the breakdown of mental barriers. It implies that he will learn to harness his imagination fully, free from childhood fears and limitations.
  • Childhood and Curiosity: There is an underlying theme of growing up. The ‘cartoon world’ represents childhood innocence, while the ‘real world’ symbolizes the complexities that come with maturity. The theme centers around childhood curiosity and the understanding that unfolds through imaginative exploration.
  • Resilience and Spirituality: In its simplest interpretation, the tale is about personal fortitude, grit, and resilience. However, its deeper message relates to how we rise after falling, emphasizing that it is more than just bouncing back; it’s about the journey of getting up.

Comparative Review: Harold vs. Other Adaptations

Harold and the Purple Crayon has a history of adaptations, including a short film, animations, and a short-lived series for HBO in the early 2000s. However, the latest film adaptation has faced criticism on several fronts.

Younger viewers may find the film moderately amusing. Nevertheless, the misguided decision to age-up its characters and set the story in live-action results in a movie that lacks the charm and subtlety of its beloved source material. The main problem is not that the decision to age-up Harold fails to honor the original book. Rather, it’s simply not much fun to watch adult Levi act like childish Harold. This gimmick quickly overstays its welcome.

Moreover, the film doesn’t utilize its most exciting element—the purple crayon of limitless power—often or inventively enough. In the book, the purple crayon was a regular crayon. The true power to create endless worlds and adventures resided in the imagination. In contrast, the movie presents the crayon itself as possessing power (even if imagination is still required to unleash it).

Despite the aged-up cast, Harold and the Purple Crayon remains a story aimed at children. From that perspective, there are some amusing moments that may please younger viewers, particularly when Harold is wielding the purple crayon. However, oddly, movie-version Harold’s creative vision is almost entirely limited to transportation devices (airplane, motorcycle, skateboard, roller-skates, a spare tire, etc.).

Additionally, there is an underlying theme of growing up. The “cartoon world” represents childhood innocence, while the “real world” symbolizes the harsher realities of adult life. At one point, Moose expresses his desire to return to the cartoon world: “We don’t belong here, with all this pain.” Although the real world seems to strip Harold of his innocence and imagination (at least temporarily), the film ultimately suggests that despite the hardships and pain, there is healing power and joy to be found in our imaginations, for both children and adults.

These two undeniably had something of a Herculean task in trying to give the material enough substance for a full-length feature film. Unfortunately, even at a relatively brief 80 minutes, ‘Harold and the Purple Crayon’ simply doesn’t have a whole lot to it in that regard. What we ultimately have is a film that wants to ignite the imagination as much as Johnson’s classic books but sadly ended up needing more imagination of its own.

Ultimately, this leaves us with a film that lacks the imagination required to truly engage the audience and do justice to the classic books. Harold’s journey is one of independence. He navigates the world with just his crayon and his imagination, relying on his own instincts. This shows children the importance of trusting themselves and becoming self-reliant as they explore the world around them.

Furthermore, Crockett Johnson’s beloved 1955 storybook becomes one more adaptation of a children’s classic that swaps in formula for magic. As was obvious from the film’s marketing campaign, Harold and the Purple Crayon is not a direct adaptation of the book.

Lastly, Harold and the Purple Crayon is often compared to other classic works that encourage imagination and exploration, such as Maurice Sendak’s Where the Wild Things Are.

How Harold and the Purple Crayon Celebrates Imagination

Harold and the Purple Crayon is a colourful celebration of the imagination, best suited to families with children aged 7 and above. Imaginative and adventurous, Harold can create anything he likes, simply by imagining it and drawing it with his purple crayon. The movie is a fantasy adventure story with a lot of good messages, but some of the scenes are quite scary.

The main messages from Harold and the Purple Crayon include:

  • Believe in yourself.
  • With imagination you can make your life whatever you want it to be.

Values in Harold and the Purple Crayon that you could reinforce with your children include:

  • Courage
  • Curiosity
  • Loyalty
  • Teamwork
  • Friendship
  • Empathy
  • Kindness to strangers

Harold is determined to find his ‘old man’ – the author who created him. When Harold draws himself into the real world, taking with him his close friends Moose and Porcupine, he sets out on an adventure he couldn’t have imagined. Finding the ‘old man’ proves to be a much more difficult task than Harold had realised.

Harold and the Purple Crayon belongs to a pantheon of books that exhort children to follow their imaginations. In this, Harold is brother to Alice, Dorothy, Lucy Pevensie in ‘The Chronicles of Narnia,’ Max, who goes ‘Where the Wild Things Are,’ and a long, long list of others. Yet, like the best of these books, there is a deeper, more complex and novel message in Johnson’s work about why an imaginative journey is worth the effort.

The thing he uses to protect his dignity and the thing he’s protecting that makes him dignified are the same: his one-of-a-kind soul. Crockett Johnson was worried about these dangers, too. Harold and his cadre were fighting for the liveliness in their—and our—lives. They were fighting for the thing that makes us most human: our capacity to be spontaneously inventive.

Moreover, Harold offers an important message about connection and community: when you do something that sets you apart, you are part of something. You are not alone when you bring the uniqueness of you into the open. Johnson urges you to pick up your crayon not only to sanctify your life but as your means of connection to the world around you.

Harold, the character in the story, embodies the boundless realms of imagination and creation. He uses his purple crayon to explore new worlds of his own design, representing childhood innocence and the desire to be oneself. The story encourages dreaming, curiosity, exploring, adventures, and creativity.

With a simple plot and illustrations, Harold and the Purple Crayon draws out its reader’s sense of adventure and creativity. The purple crayon serves as a metaphor for imagination itself—the ability to bring to life anything one can dream of, highlighting the power of imagination.

In its simplest interpretation, Harold and the Purple Crayon is a tale of personal fortitude, grit, and resilience. Yet, the message is deeper, focusing on how we get up and navigate through challenges, emphasizing the importance of imaginative journeys.

Audience Reactions to Harold and the Purple Crayon

Critics and moviegoers can’t seem to agree on Harold and the Purple Crayon. As a result, the new release is posting very different and divisive scores on Rotten Tomatoes. At the time of this writing, director Carlos Saldanha’s family-friendly film registers only 29% on the Tomatometer against 35 reviews.

However, it seems that cinemagoers are enjoying Harold and the Purple Crayon way more than critics. This has resulted in a polar-opposite audience score of 91% on Rotten Tomatoes. One verified audience member (Ashley) writes: “The entire movie kept you laughing and smiling.” Another (Jean Ann) adds: “Wonderful adventurous movie to kids and adults alike. Very imaginative and creative with a happy ending. A must-see for all families.”

A film’s CinemaScore captures a crowd’s reactions as they leave the theater right after watching a movie. Notably, Harold and the Purple Crayon’s terrific A- CinemaScore is much more in line with the aforementioned Rotten Tomatoes audience score of 91% rather than its 29% Tomatometer.

Interestingly, the movie is officially a box office flop, having made only $9 million in its global opening. Despite this, it has a strong 92% audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes against just a 25% critic rating. Critics have called it bleak and boring, but audiences overwhelmingly see it as a fun family movie.

Many viewers found the film enjoyable. One person stated, “Although it wasn’t the movie I wanted for Harold and the Purple Crayon, it was definitely a family movie and quite enjoyable.” Another added, “I took my grandkids to watch this and I loved it just as much as they did! It was probably the best kids movie I’ve seen in years.”

Furthermore, some reactions emphasize the simplicity of the film’s acting. One commented, “People need to chill out about the acting. It is a kids movie. There used to be a plethora of kids movies, but nowadays they barely get made, and they’re usually way over the heads of the audience they’re trying to service. This one was down to earth and easy to understand.”

Noteworthy is the perspective that the film’s poor reception is related to marketing. One viewer reflected, “I liked it and my kids loved it! I’d say it was a flop because of poor marketing.”

Overall, Harold and the Purple Crayon is a well-made movie that captured the attention of a variety of audiences. Oftentimes when movies are too long, the film’s occasionally geeky sensibility and off-kilter humour might appeal to certain sections of the adult audience too.

However, despite the mixed reviews, the children found this movie exciting and enjoyable. The jokes were age-appropriate, and it is definitely recommended for kids 7+.

Understanding the Age Rating for Harold and the Purple Crayon

Harold and the Purple Crayon is rated PG by the MPAA for mild action and thematic elements. The violence includes:

  • Scenes where an elderly man strikes people with his cane.
  • Reckless driving incidents.
  • A flying dragon trashing a school.
  • A magical duel where men draw weapons.
  • Instances of magical mayhem, including the creation of giant caverns filled with fire.

However, the film is not suited to preschool-aged fans of the simple story. It is geared towards elementary-school-aged kids, who are young enough to overlook the multitudinous plot holes, dodgy digital effects, and painful acting. One issue that will keep preschool viewers away from this film is its violence.

Parental guidance is recommended for younger viewers. The film contains various violent scenes such as:

  • An old man hitting Harold with his walking stick.
  • Chaotic store scenes with items being knocked over.
  • A puma attacking something.

Additionally, it involves sad scenes, like Mel’s dad passing away and Harold learning about the death of Crockett Johnson, which may be concerning for younger audiences.

Moreover, adults, especially those with Christian backgrounds, might be offended when Gary the librarian paraphrases Christ and states, ‘Upon this rock I shall erect my kingdom.’ This odd line in the film may not sit well with religious viewers.

Despite its wacky humor, it is recommended that viewers be at least 16 years old. Some children may find enjoyment in the film; one parent noted that their kids loved the scene where Harold held the purple crayon, put it in dog poop, and told his dad it was a purple cake bar.

Ultimately, creativity and imagination shape reality in the 1955 children’s book Harold and the Purple Crayon, written and illustrated by Crockett Johnson. This classic story centers on Harold, an imaginative 4-year-old boy, and his magic purple crayon, through which he can create the world as he imagines it.

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