NOTE: This article is a republication- Source: Kirkus Reviews (David Rapp).
Be on the lookout for Kirkus’ in-depth columns on the films Knock at the Cabin (based on Paul Tremblay’s horror novel The Cabin at the End of the World, premiering Feb. 3) and Marlowe (based on The Black-Eyed Blonde by Benjamin Black, aka John Banville, premiering Feb. 15). Here are four more book-to-screen adaptations coming in February:
Feb. 3: The Amazing Maurice (theatrical film premiere)
This animated film is an adaptation of the late Terry Pratchett’s 2001 children’s novel, The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents, which received a Kirkus star. The book is part of Pratchett’s sprawling comic-fantasy Discworld series, but it tells a simple tale that doesn’t require prior knowledge of its complex fictional universe. (It also happens to the be first adaption of a Discworld novel to be released as a theatrical feature film.) In it, feline Maurice, human boy Keith, and a group of intelligent rats plan to run their usual scam on the town of Bad Blintz: After the rats overrun the place, Keith will do a pied-piper routine—for a fee. This time around, though, the group runs into unexpected human and supernatural threats. The trailer for the film promises a faithful take on Pratchett’s work, and the fine voice cast certainly makes it worth a watch; it includes House’s Hugh Laurie as Maurice, Station Eleven’s Himesh Patel as Keith, and Game of Thrones’ Emilia Clarke as Malicia, the daughter of Bad Blintz’s mayor.
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