The Mumbo Jumbo (2000)

The Mumbo Jumbo (2000). 1h 22m

“This film does not work on so many levels. It would have benefitted from some additional editing; some scenes and jokes, instead of coming off as wacky British humor, just seemed tacked on or inappropriate. This film probably was aiming to be the next u0026quot;Time Banditsu0026quot; (which several of the crew worked on, and which was used as a point of comparison in early publicity) and missed the mark.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThe film canu0026#39;t seem to decide if it is aiming for kids or the adult market: the kiddie show fantasy plot doesnu0026#39;t meld well with references to SM, unfunny double entendres about giant vegetables (see above) and jokes about pubic hair. The film just doesnu0026#39;t hang together; there are a couple of plot holes and there was a dance number tacked on the end that really didnu0026#39;t belong there at all, though I did enjoy it. The music ranges from all right to saccharine and painfully low budget.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThat said, there are several very good British character actors in this, notably Joss Ackland and John Inman (of u0026quot;Are You Being Served?u0026quot;), who were a joy to watch, and the costumes are delightful, with good attention to detail.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eRichard Ou0026#39;Brien wasnu0026#39;t given much to do, but seemed to enjoy doing it, and Brian Blessed happily boomed his way through the film as the villain.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eOverall, this film is interesting as an oddity and is worth picking up if youu0026#39;re a fan of British character actors or any of the principals; the cast contains a former game show host and Page 3 girl; a former Dr. Who, and of course, the creator of the Rocky Horror Picture Show, so while you may be bewildered, you wonu0026#39;t be bored.”