Movie Breakdown: Earwig And The Witch

Pre-Screening Stance:

Studio Ghibli has decided to dip their toe into the world of CG animation, and I am here for it. Granted, we all sort of have to be because it’s Studio Ghibli and they’ve earned ultimate benefit of the doubt status, but you get what I’m saying.

Post-Screening Ramble:

The final moment of Earwig And The Witch comes in so fast and furious that I spent the first chunk of the credits double checking that it was an actual movie and not the first episode of a series. There’s stuff about 12 witches who are chasing someone, but that’s never given any context. Why are they after this person? Did this person defeat them? Did she just simply elude them? I have no idea. Also, the woman they’re pursuing – by the way, it’s the titular character’s mother – used to be in a band called Earwig and its dissolution seems to be important, but you never find out why the break up happened. Honestly, if a more half-baked movie comes along in 2021, I will be very surprised. Even the CG looks like it had only reached the late-90s part of its rendering process when they pulled the plug and sent it off for distribution. Nothing, and I mean nothing, about Earwig And The Witch looks like it came from Studio Ghibli.

Here’s the worst part – I was actually fairly into the movie right up until it abruptly ended. Sure, it’s not as easy on the eyes as a CG movie in 2021 should be, but it has some neat character designs (a man known as The Mandrake is wonderfully done). And while you learn practically nothing about its characters, the little girl at its center, Earwig/Erica, is a weirdly endearing brat, and it’s pretty fun watching her bend everyone to her will.

Unfortunately, I can’t recommend Earwig And The Witch because it’s essentially an 80-minute idea and not a complete film. However, if you’ve got young kids, they’ll probably be into it (even with the open ending). The movie will land on HBO Max this Friday, February 5.

One Last Thought:

The Kacey Musgraves-voiced version of Don’t Disturb Me – the main tune from the movie – has yet to make it online, but you can jam the original now via Spotify. I think it’s pretty catchy.