Sometimes I wonder if film makers have ever heard the expression ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’. Remakes are the bread and butter to modern Hollywood, with original ideas seemingly thin on the ground of late, and one of the movies that no one seems to be able to leave along is The Secret Garden. There have been four film adaptations of the classic story, well, four official versions. There’s no need to mention that 2017 weird as hell steampunk version. Oh dear.

I think that most people are probably familiar with the story. Orphaned Mary Lennox is sent from the luxury of a life in India to the dark and secretive home of the uncle she has never met. Left alone and desperate to escape the strict housekeeper, she explores the grand houses ground and discovers a long lost garden and the secrets begin to reveal themselves.

I grew up loving the 1993 version starring Kate Maberly as Mary, John Lynch as Lord Craven and Andrew Knott as Dickon. So when I heard that they were remaking it, my first thought was ‘please don’t, there’s nothing wrong with that version’. The global pandemic moved the release of this 2020 adaptation from the silver screen to Sky cinema and all I can say is thank God for that as I’m glad I didn’t pay cinema prices to watch this.

Young actress Dixie Egerickx plays the role of Mary Lennox, and whilst she does it well, I just couldn’t warm to this version of the character. With little growth or character development, she remains spoilt, stubborn and just a little annoying throughout. Her chemistry with Edan Hayhurst as Colin and Amir Wilson as Dickon never completely feels naturally, which is a real shame as it is these relationships that gave the 1993 version its charm.

With Julie Walters and Colin Firth starring as Mrs Medlock and Lord Craven respectively, this film can boast of some real Hollywood royalty. That being said, neither are likeable characters. Walters’ Medlock is harsh, strict and cold with many of her actions much more child abuse than housekeeping. Firth’s Lord Craven could be an interesting character if it was given the time to develop, but instead all you are left with is questions. Why does he hide his shrine to his late wife away? Why doesn’t he tell Colin about the past? And that’s before you even mention a fire that seems to happen for no reason and do nothing to change the story.

The look of the story has been given a 2020 makeover, with plenty of flashbacks and special effects. It all looks lovely and magical, but it’s all a bit ridiculous really. If the secret garden had a lake, huge trees, fields and rocks, it wouldn’t be much of a secret, you’d be able to see it for miles. By trying to add something new, it’s lost all of its charming magic. This over the top magical garden has replaced the simple animal filled walled garden of the past and it just doesn’t feel right. The film’s plot is slow, with brief moments of drama shoehorned into something that simply doesn’t hold your attention.

To conclude, this 2020 remake of The Secret Garden is a classic example of when something really should have been left alone. It promises wonder, magic and adventure, but delivers a slow paced wonder through a simply unbelievable world that leaves too many questions unanswered.