When you’re a kid, the crayon is quite possibly the greatest tool of power you can wield. Its power is only limited by your imagination and the scope of that is limitless. Crockett Johnson’s book Harold and the Purple Crayon is based on this idea and the new feature film serves as a live-action sequel to this popular children’s book. Harold (Zachary Levi) uses the crayon to step out of the book and into the real world in search of his ‘old man’ or creator. Harold isn’t a toddler anymore, he’s a full-grown man, looking for the reason behind his creation.

Children’s stories, books and movies have universal wisdom that transcends the age of the viewer. We’ve seen movies like Inside Out, Soul and Toy Story franchise turn into modern classics beyond the prospects of their animated movie genre. Harold and the Purple Crayon tries hard to transcend into the realm of higher meaning and a universal message. While the idea of the magical crayon that can create anything is a good motif to convey the message that imagination is the most powerful tool possessed by humans. As we grow up, from innocent children to conscious adults, we tend to forget the importance of our imagination, our dreams and hopes.

While director Carlos Saldanha’s film tries sincerely to put this point across, the screenplay doesn’t quite grow out of the childish humour. There’s nothing wrong with the kiddish humour though. The gags and the jokes in Harold and the Purple Crayon are all spot on. But the movie just never manages to shake off Zachary Levi’s boyish-manly charm, something that even his recent Shazam films, couldn’t dodge either.

If you’ve grown up being a fan of fantasy books like Harry Potter, Lord Of The Rings and Game Of Thrones, you’ll be able to appreciate the witticism and the humour behind the character of Library Gary (Jemaine Clement). His machinations are the perfect foil for Harold’s innocence and naivety. But the screenplay doesn’t make good with the talents of Zooey Deschanel (playing Terry, looking completely unlike her usual self), Tanya Reynolds (Porcupine) and Lil Rey Howery (Moose). What’s also missing in this movie is a great soundtrack. The potential to create a memorable experience by taking adults on a nostalgia trip to their childhood is absolutely lost to music that just lacks the soul and the relevance.

Harold and the Purple Crayon has a very strong message. It’s just that the makers didn’t quite employ the full power of their imagination while writing and creating this movie. This has all the trappings to be an unforgettable experience. Pity that it barely scratches that surface.