Just out on DVD, Disney’s first feature invents a whole new cinematic language. Slow in the dwarf scenes, overall lovely and terrifying and artful.

Above-average scary. Neat pacing. Best with a full house in big cities. Overheard: “this is dumb good,” “we’re gonna have to get the bootleg.”

Scary, weird, intricately detailed world. Great characters, human and otherwise. Kept stopping to scribble notes to myself - “so THIS is how you write a novel.”

Loved it at fifteen. Rereading at thirty: didn’t. Great energy and verve - but little more than drug use, sports prowess, lady-banging success.

The show at its best- Michael stupid and brilliant at once- impending catastrope averted in a fresh unexpected way - moment of happiness… then the catastrophe.

Comes damn close to being brilliant, but the relationships feel rushed and flimsy. Too much time setting up the story, not enough on the resolution.