Having powers is something that a lot of people wish for, especially when something goes wrong. Luna is a teenage witch who just wants things to go right. When she develops a crush on a boy in her class, she tries everything in her power to make him like her back, including putting a spell on him. However, this is when it all goes wrong. She messes up the potion and now has to turn to her mother and great-great-great-grandmother for help.
What I like about the storyline is that it includes fantasy along with modern-day issues typical of what some teens experience. For instance, Luna is a witch and has amazing powers and cool objects that allow her to embrace those powers. Her necklace is the object that gives her the ability to do spells. This is part of the very interesting fantastical and fictional part of the series. However, Luna also has a crush on a boy named Bryan, but doesn't know if he likes her back. This is the type of doubt that teenagers feel on a daily basis, and makes this series more realistic by including it. Not to mention, this series includes a scene where Luna and Bryan make a TikTok video. TikTok is definitely trending right now, so that is another good touch.
The camera work is good with lots of close-ups where we can see the expressions on the actors' faces. The sets all look very realistic, making the scenes stronger. The costumes are typical of what teens wear today and they match each character's personality. The grandmother isn't in the first episode, but the mom and Luna are. They are witches and this takes place in 2019. Luna, The Witch was filmed in New England, which can be very busy at some times of year. However, in this episode it's very quiet and not busy at all. The piano background music appears at the beginning and sporadically throughout. The visual effects are one of the things I like best about the show. In the first episode, after Luna botches the love potion for Bryan, Bryan blows up. This effect looks like an actual explosion. If witches were real, you would believe they had the power to do that. They are definitely believable. Something else that stands out to me are the opening credits. It has multi-color clouds with the actors' names on them. This drew my attention automatically and makes the show look very exciting.
The actors include Alexa Hartman, Wendy Hartman, Karen Ann Martino and Charlie Tacker. They are all quite good. When in scenes together, they relate to each other well and seem to have good chemistry. Alexa's performance at the teenage witch, Luna, is particularly believable. Charlie has very good timing when relating to Alexa. The production design and the editing also stand out to me. The sets look like an actual house, with photos of the characters (actors) on the wall, which I noticed. There is a scene when Bryan and Luna do a TikTok, which is very contemporary and the editing is great on that. The message of this series is to be careful what you wish for, and of the actions you take. Luna wishes for Bryan to like her back and puts a spell on him, but by doing so she makes him explode. This is very small, however Luna does put a potion into Bryan's drink and that is not something you want kids to replicate.
My favorite part of the film is when Bryan explodes. The animation here is fantastic and provides an excellent plot twist.
I give this film 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages I to 18, plus adults. This film would play well at a youth and family film festival because it's very kid and family-friendly, with a good story-line. Reviewed by Maica N., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic
Having powers is something that a lot of people wish for, especially when something goes wrong. Luna is a teenage witch who just wants things to go right. When she develops a crush on a boy in her class, she tries everything in her power to make him like her back, including putting a spell on him. However, this is when it all goes wrong. She messes up the potion and now has to turn to her mother and great-great-great-grandmother for help.
What I like about the storyline is that it includes fantasy along with modern-day issues typical of what some teens experience. For instance, Luna is a witch and has amazing powers and cool objects that allow her to embrace those powers. Her necklace is the object that gives her the ability to do spells. This is part of the very interesting fantastical and fictional part of the series. However, Luna also has a crush on a boy named Bryan, but doesn't know if he likes her back. This is the type of doubt that teenagers feel on a daily basis, and makes this series more realistic by including it. Not to mention, this series includes a scene where Luna and Bryan make a TikTok video. TikTok is definitely trending right now, so that is another good touch.
The camera work is good with lots of close-ups where we can see the expressions on the actors' faces. The sets all look very realistic, making the scenes stronger. The costumes are typical of what teens wear today and they match each character's personality. The grandmother isn't in the first episode, but the mom and Luna are. They are witches and this takes place in 2019. Luna, The Witch was filmed in New England, which can be very busy at some times of year. However, in this episode it's very quiet and not busy at all. The piano background music appears at the beginning and sporadically throughout. The visual effects are one of the things I like best about the show. In the first episode, after Luna botches the love potion for Bryan, Bryan blows up. This effect looks like an actual explosion. If witches were real, you would believe they had the power to do that. They are definitely believable. Something else that stands out to me are the opening credits. It has multi-color clouds with the actors' names on them. This drew my attention automatically and makes the show look very exciting.
The actors include Alexa Hartman, Wendy Hartman, Karen Ann Martino and Charlie Tacker. They are all quite good. When in scenes together, they relate to each other well and seem to have good chemistry. Alexa's performance at the teenage witch, Luna, is particularly believable. Charlie has very good timing when relating to Alexa. The production design and the editing also stand out to me. The sets look like an actual house, with photos of the characters (actors) on the wall, which I noticed. There is a scene when Bryan and Luna do a TikTok, which is very contemporary and the editing is great on that. The message of this series is to be careful what you wish for, and of the actions you take. Luna wishes for Bryan to like her back and puts a spell on him, but by doing so she makes him explode. This is very small, however Luna does put a potion into Bryan's drink and that is not something you want kids to replicate.
My favorite part of the film is when Bryan explodes. The animation here is fantastic and provides an excellent plot twist.
I give this film 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages I to 18, plus adults. This film would play well at a youth and family film festival because it's very kid and family-friendly, with a good story-line. Reviewed by Maica N., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic
"Luna's greatest power comes not from its fabulous display of supernatural witchery but from its tributes to the strength shared by a loving family and the can-do attitude of women amid even the most extraordinary crises." - Chris Hadley, The Snobby Robot
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