The Glittersparks

The Glittersparks is a 2006 British family fantasy live action/animation hybrid film directed by Mike Newell and written by Steve Kloves. It is based on Pamela Wilson's 2001 children's book The Adventures of the Glittersparks. The film features Emma Bolger, Gary Oldman, Naomi Watts, and Tilda Swinton, with the voices of Emma Watson, Bonnie Wright, Kate Beckinsale, Thandie Newton, Rosamund Pike, and Keira Knightley.

The film rights to the book were originally given to StudioCanal in 2003, but in 2004, the studio dropped out of the project, forcing Sony Pictures to take over. In 2005, director Mike Newell and screenwriter Steve Kloves were hired for the project, fresh off of completing Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. Walden Media, who had also produced The Chronicles of Narnia, was brought on to produce the film. Sony announced that the film would be a mixture of live action and animation, and Framestore provided the CGI Glittersparks for use in the film. Patrick Doyle composed the musical score, and Delta Goodrem performed the song "Trust".

The film was released by Columbia Pictures on June 2, 2006. The film was a critical and financial success, grossing 250 million dollars on its 200 million dollar budget. Critics praised the film for being a faithful adaptation of Wilson's book. The film received nominations at the 79th Annual Academy Awards for Best Visual Effects, Best Original Score, and Best Original Song for "Trust", but did not win any of them. A video game adaptation was released on May 30, 2006, and was released for GameCube, PlayStation 2, Xbox, PlayStation Portable, Nintendo DS, and Game Boy Advance.

Plot:

In Sparkle Village, the minuscule, humanoid, fashion-loving Glittersparks have lived and thrived for thousands of years. The girls are preparing for the annual Fashion Harvest, and while everything is being prepared, share a quiet conversation in their dormitory. Devilshine, the sour and mean-spirited one of the bunch, gloats aggressively that she wasn't invited to the Harvest and gets into a fight with the others. The fight lends the girls out of the village and onto a dirt path. Suddenly, a minivan arrives and when the girls see fashion inside, they enter the backside of it. While checking out some of the fashion, the back door is slammed shut, leaving them trapped inside, and the minivan drives off.

The minivan arrives in the city of London and stops at a house. The Glittersparks exit through the backside and enter the house casually. They come across a bulldog and after a chase, end up in its digestive system. After escaping, they meet a young human girl named Samantha Burrows, who quickly appreciates them. After a while, Samantha and the Glittersparks get to know each other and become friends. Samantha's father, Mr. Burrows, discovers the Glittersparks in his house, unimpressed, planning to deliver them to a museum. News reports break out of the Glittersparks arriving in London, covered by Grace Crawford. Grace arrives at Samantha's house along with her crew. Samantha agrees to participate in the coverage, but is cut short by Mr. Burrows arriving in the room.

After being chased by Mr. Burrows, The Glittersparks convince Samantha to help them get back to Sparkle Village, but they must do it before noon. The Glittersparks and Samantha enact a plan to get the Glittersparks back home. Meanwhile, Mr. Burrows, desperate for earning money after the loss of his wife, makes a bargain with the museum to fund an exhibit for the Glittersparks. He scandalizes the Prime Minister of Britain into coordinating his plan, and sets a trap for the Glittersparks once they return to his house. During an escape plan, the Glittersparks thank Samantha for their help. However, Mr. Burrows comes in and snatches the Glittersparks, putting them in the trunk of his car, much to Samantha's disapproval. While being led to the museum, Devilshine grows a conscience and rescues the other Glittersparks, who escape and rendezvous with Samantha.

Mr. Burrows, having lost his sanity, swipes at the Glittersparks, but they escape with Samantha and climb atop Big Ben. Mr. Burrows follows suit and confronts the Glittersparks and Samantha on the face of the clock. While trying to catch the Glittersparks once again, Mr. Burrows loses his footing and ends up falling into the River Thames below. The clock strikes noon and the Glittersparks say farewell to Samantha, returning to Sparkle Village.

Cast:

Emma Bolger as Samantha Burrows, a young human girl who discovers the Glittersparks in her house and befriends them. She eventually help them in returning home.

Gary Oldman as Mr. Burrows, Samantha's overprotective father and the antagonist of the story who plans to deliver the Glittersparks to a museum.

Naomi Watts as Grace Crawford, a news reporter for BBC News who reports of the Glittersparks arrival in London.

Tilda Swinton as the Prime Minister, the leader of Great Britain who is scandalized by Mr. Burrows into helping him in his plan.

Featuring the voices of:

Emma Watson as Sparkable, the leader of the Glittersparks.

Bonnie Wright as Eyeshadow, the second-in-command of the Glittersparks.

Kate Beckinsale as Devilshine, the mean-spirited Glitterspark who eventually grows a conscience.

Thandie Newton as Shadeshimmer, the dark-skinned Glitterspark.

Rosamund Pike as Youthglim, the youngest member of the Glittersparks.

Keira Knightley as Swoonstick, the most attractive member of the Glittersparks.