Nicole Kidman, Will Ferrell, Michael Caine, Shirley MacLaine
A clever concept stretches only so far. Which explains why this initially diverting film, derived from the long-running TV show Bewitched (1964-72), fails to keep its cotton-candy broomstick aloft to the finish line. Director-cowriter Nora Ephron (You've Got Mail) kicks off her Bewitched with an inspired idea: A real witch (Kidman, fetchingly winsome) is cast as Samantha, the housewife-enchantress, in a remake of the series.
Swell start, but where do you go from there? The movie has its nose-twitching heroine, Isabel, who in real life is trying to renounce her witchy ways and live as a human, fall for Jack Wyatt (Ferrell), the dim-bulb actor playing Darrin, her civilian hubby on the sitcom. Jack is a washedup egocentric movie star in constant need of reassurance. "He's idiotic," says Isabel, "yet I find him completely charming."
Uh, she got the first part right. There's zero charm to Ferrell's strident, let's-play-this-like-another-SNL-sketch performance. One keeps recasting the role while watching the movie. Could Jim Carrey have made it work? George Clooney? Caine is a total delight as Isabel's warlock father, harrumphing at her attempts to live as a mortal. MacLaine, portraying a flamboyant actress cast as Endora (Sam's flamboyant mother), is underutilized. While nowhere near as tiresome as The Stepford Wives, Kidman's foray into similarly nostalgic territory last summer, this Bewitched casts no lasting spell. (PG-13)
FAMILY
Lindsay Lohan, Michael Keaton
Reigning tabloid teen queen Lindsay Lohan's latest fast-moving romance, at least onscreen, is with a rambunctious 42-year-old. Not that anyone need worry. The object of her affection? A battered 1963 Volkswagen Beetle with an expressive fender and set of headlights. "What are you trying to do to me, you crazy little car?" she mutters early on, though viewers know these two are meant for each other.
Herbie: Fully Loaded is a middle-of-the-road contemporary refurbishing of the 1968 kiddie comedy The Love Bug. Same auto, new owner. Lohan plays Maggie, a recent college grad whose dad (Keaton) buys the battered Bug for $75 at a junkyard. Soon, the car is revving its engine and Maggie, who comes from a family of racecar drivers, is matching wheels with a preening NASCAR champ (Matt Dillon, having fun).
The surprise to Loaded is, despite a high octane soundtrack and mentions of ESPN, how old-fashioned it feels. It's the story of a plucky girl and her car, period. Lohan is coasting here, though in fairness the role doesn't require Sarah Bernhardt's skills. Kids will like the film ("She's going to win, I know she is," my 5-year-old companion assured me before the big race), and adults will enjoy their offspring enjoying it. (G)
Batman Begins
Director-cowriter Christopher Nolan (Memento) reinvigorates the Batman franchise by focusing on the backstory: why and how billionaire Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale) transformed himself into a costumed crimefighter. (PG-13)
My Summer of Love
Flawlessly observed coming-of-age tale follows a working-class teenager (Natalie Press) as she embarks on a friendship, then a heated romance, with a rich neighbor girl (Emily Blunt). Both talented young stars are clearly going places. (R)
March of the Penguins
Everything you always wanted to know about the chilly life cycle of Antarctica's Emperor penguins is explained—and shown—in a winning documentary. Morgan Freeman narrates. (G)
SITCOM TO SCREEN
As Hollywood recycles classic TV comedy series into movies, fond memories don't always equal boffo box office. Take a look at how Bewitched's predecessors fared in U.S. theaters.
$45.6 MILLION THE BRADY BUNCH MOVIE (1995)
$30.1 MILLION SGT. BILKO (1996)
$4.4 MILLION McHALE'S NAVY (1997)
$36.8 MILLION MY FAVORITE MARTIAN (1999)
$9.5 MILLION THE HONEYMOONERS (still in theatres)
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