So I was expecting a first-class fantasy from one-of-a-kind writer, director and ex- Monty Python star Terry Gilliam, creator of astonishing cult classics like The Adventures Of Baron Munchausen, Twelve Monkeys and The Brothers Grimm. 

Happily, Gilliam has exceeded my most optimistic expectations. 

His fi nest fi lm so far, The Imaginarium Of Dr Parnassus is a wild and wonderful fantasy that’s thoroughly entertaining and a superb tribute to its star Heath Ledger. 

The actor sadly died in January 2008 while filming Dr Parnassus, which could have floored a lesser film-maker.  

Not Gilliam, though, who turned Ledger’s character into a multiple personality able to be played by other actors. 

So Johnny Depp, Jude Law and Colin Farrell rallied round to portray different facets of charming outsider Tony, who joins the extraordinary travelling theatre troupe with its magical mirror operated by Christopher Plummer’s Dr Parnassus. 

But Parnassus is not the showman he appears to be.  Years ago he made a dire deal with the Devil (creepily played by Tom Waits) who is now on his way to collect his prize – the soul of Parnassus’s adored 16-year-old daughter Lily Cole. 

Gilliam tells his riveting story of good versus evil with boundless imagination using magnifi cent movie magic to take you through the mirror into mesmerising unexpected weird worlds where anything can – and does – happen. 

Gilliam’s imagination knows no bounds. Monks sit suspended in space on flying carpets, a gondola passes a floating cow, astonishing visions of hell are conjured up and a giant policeman rises out of the ground. 

But the story always comes first. And what a consistently surprising tale it is, perfectly performed by a classy cast including Verne “Mini-me” Troyer, Peter Stormare and Maggie Steed.  

They, Gilliam and co- writer Charles McKeown held me intrigued, enthralled and excited.

THE IMAGINARIUM OF DR PARNASSUS (12A)

VERDICT: 8/10