Another entry into the canon of largely-interchangeable fantasy scenarios dreamt up by emerging filmmakers in the cinematic form's virtual childhood, The Mysterious Retort does precious little to distinguish itself from a crowd of equally forgettable theatrical endeavours. A context-less "duel," of sorts, staged between a drowsy wizard and a shape-shifter, it warrants precisely the reaction another user granted it: 'What the fuck?'

What the fuck? Like so many Melies films, this is too dated to satisfy, but that "spider" is the most insane thing I've seen yet in one of his movies