Original subtitles

(CRUMBLING)

(LAUGHING)

Good evening, everyone.

I am Max the Magnificent,

and tonight, you'll be truly astounded.

Here you see two ordinary, unattached rings.

Yes? But watch.

(EXCLAIMS)

(SIGHS)

And now I will magically unattach them.

(CRASHING)

I must have forgot to say the magic words.

From the light of Earth, the dark descends,

should they return, that all depends.

Who is this mortal that dare utter those words?

And now for my next trick, I need an ordinary, empty

hat.

(MAX EXCLAIMS)

Bravo.

(SPIRITS WHISPERING)

I am coming, my children.

And now I shall make this celery disappear.

From the light of Earth, the dark descends,

should they return, that all depends.

Those cursed words again!

(MUNCHING)

Listen, pest-head.

Told you not to use my camera.

(MAX EXCLAIMS)

(COLIN LAUGHS)

Ow!

I meant to do that.

What a clumsy dork.

You're such a dope.

I'd saw you in half, but then I'd have two dopey brothers.

MAX: From the light of Earth, the dark descends,

should they return, that all depends.

Wait until YouTube gets a load of this.

No.

Mom!

Where's my other magic cape? This one got torn.

If it's a magic cape, then why doesn't it fly up here?

If that's a brain in there, then why doesn't it work?

What?

Mom? Where's my other magic cape? You know, the good one?

Yes, I heard you. It's downstairs in the dryer.

Put the finishing touches on your magic trunk, O Max the Magnificent.

What happened to Max the Greatest?

Let's start with Magnificent and work our way up, okay?

Thanks, Mom.

Hey, Buster. Come here, Buster.

Come on, Buster. Sit. Sit.

Lie down. Roll over?

Speak?

Please?

You wanna go outside?

Yeah. You know that one, don't you?

Why doesn't he use the doggie door? It's right there.

I'm working on it.

Max. I just put up a new net.

Colin and I are gonna shoot some hoops, then we're gonna go for a run.

You should join us, buddy.

The only time noodle-leg runs is when I'm chasing him.

Hey. I can't risk a leg injury.

There's a dance after the Halloween Talent Show,

and I don't wanna disappoint all the lucky girls who begged me for a shot.

No girls talk to you.

Hey. Yesterday, I asked a girl to go to the dance with me,

and she said no.

I call that talking.

Look. I know you're not great at basketball or any sports.

But maybe you should get out there and pump up a couple of shots.

Practice.

After dinner, Dad, I'm gonna practice my magic a little more,

because I want my act to be the best in the show.

I'll tell you about magic. You know the best magic there is?

Colin remembering to flush.

Okay. It's somebody sawing someone in half.

Yeah, anybody can saw someone in half.

Yeah. But you have to put them back together again.

Magic.

Real magic is passing the three-mile mark, and you're hardly breathing heavy.

Magic's catching a tight spiral pass on your fingertips for a TD

or scoring a three-point shot right at the buzzer to win the big game.

Pure magic.

So, you know, sports. That's what I'm getting at.

You should get out there and mix it up with the guys.

Dad? If I hurt this magic wand hand,

it'll be a disappointing blow to all my fans.

So, it's not for me.

I owe it to them to not shoot baskets,

or run or jump or lift or crunch or curl or...

So, anything that doesn't have to do with those, I'll be glad to do.

Okay, well, if you change your mind, buddy.

Come here, Buster.

So, cape's in the dryer?

That's where it's at.

Honey, would you change out of your good shirt for me?

Don't we wanna keep that one nice?

Or I could just iron it again.

So, I'm gonna head there right now.

Sweetie, could you take all the clothes out of the dryer, not just your cape?

Okay. Come on, Buster.

(SPIRITS WHISPERING)

(SPIRIT SHUSHING)

You know, I should've said,

"Anyone could throw, shoot and make baskets,

"but not everyone can do magic."

(WHISPERING)

(WHIMPERING)

Hey. What you got there, boy?

What you got here?

Last week, it was those cool magic words,

you know, "From the light of Earth, the dark descends"?

Dog spit.

Don't you ever swallow?

You're like Grandma on Thanksgiving.

Para... Paranormal?

Don't

scream.

Okay. Okay.

Am I a man or a mouse?

I do like cheese.

Oh, no. No, no, no, no.

No, no, no.

No, no, no. No!

(WHIMPERS)

(SCREAMING)

Me. Just me. Okay.

(EXCLAIMING)

Here! Here, don't hurt me! Here! Take my dog! Take my dog!

You can take him.

Pants. Shirts. Underwear?

There's nothing to be afraid of.

(SPIRITS WHISPERING)

Has to be mice. Has to be mice.

(WHISPERING CONTINUES)

(SCRATCHING)

(SCRATCHES)

(EXCLAIMS)

Mom? Dad?

We have mice with really big hands!

(SCREAMING)

(COLIN GRUNTS)

(MAX SCREAMS)

Colin, knock it off. It's your brother.

That's twice as horrible.

(FOOTSTEPS THUDDING)

(SPIRITS WHISPERING)

(SCREAMING)

I am angered.

Mr. and Mrs. Roland have been banished for eternity.

But their children, Nicky and Tara, are still out there.

If they have knowledge of the chant, the expulsion spell,

and if they find the Cast Away Ring, whose stone has the light of three suns,

they could banish us to the depths of the Earth.

(ALL MOANING)

My children, please.

I realize you are in eternal pain, but just try, please, to walk it off.

Now, there is a magician, Max the Magnificent.

You should see his ring trick. It's really something to behold.

He lives in this house and he has knowledge of the chant.

Have Tara and Nicky confided in him?

Are they working together?

I must destroy Tara and Nicky.

(ALL MOANING)

(SIGHS)

What, Frank?

Question?

(SPIRITS LAUGHING)

There are no questions.

Sorry!

Follow me!

(ALL MOANING)

Please try to keep up and stop moaning.

Five days from now, on Halloween night,

when I have my full powers,

this wall will come down,

and we will be free.

Free.

And if Max the Magnificent dares to stand in our way,

then he too will be destroyed.

(LAUGHING)

(FRANK LAUGHING HYSTERICALLY)

Please, Frank.

Sorry.

Tara? Nicky?

I will find you.

(SCRATCHING)

(PHEARS LAUGHING)

NICKY: Oh, man.

Nicky, why is it so cold?

It wasn't cold when we left the house.

And it's Halloween.

What happened to the Fourth of July?

You sure we're in Plover?

Of course. I recognize everything.

And then again, I feel so different.

Hey, excuse me! Can you help us? Hey! Excuse me.

That was rude.

Hey! My sister Tara was talking to you!

(ENGINE STARTING)

Oh, look, Ms. Wright! Ms. Wright!

Ms. Wright!

Ms. Wright! Ms. Wright! Over here!

No!

(TARA SCREAMS)

Did you see what just happened to us?

Uh-huh.

Stuff like this only happens in movies and TV to...

To ghosts!

(SCREAMING)

We can't be ghosts. We are not ghosts.

No one can hear us. And a car just drove through us.

No!

Ghost!

Ghost!

BOTH: Ghost!

(BOTH SCREAMING)

NICKY: I can't see you!

TARA: I can't see you!

(BOTH SCREAMING)

Hey, guys? I'm making a shopping list. Where's the celery?

It's the fourth bunch this week. Last week it was carrots.

Why don't you ask Max, the Munching Magician?

(CHUCKLES)

It just disappear?

Well, I am magic. Things just happen.

Speaking of weird things, anybody hear mice scratching on the walls?

They aren't mice. That's what I was trying to tell you.

A hand came through the basement wall.

(GIGGLES)

Look, mice don't have hands.

Well, then the wall has hands.

Colin, does that make any sense?

All right. After school, I'll go down there and check it out.

You? You're afraid of any weird sound.

The next weird sound you're gonna hear, me ripping your ear off.

(IMITATES RIPPING)

Okay. No more ripping ear sounds at the table.

Honey, move your backpack before somebody trips over it.

From the light of Earth, the dark descends,

should they return, that all depends.

You've said that about a thousand times. Where'd you get it?

I read it on something Buster found.

I figured it's some sort of awesome magic chant.

But there is more.

From the light of Earth, the dark descends,

should they return, that all depends when hands.

When hands? That's it?

Well, that's all Buster found.

Dork.

Buster is not a dork.

No, I think he meant you're the dork.

Hey.

He said it, I didn't. Get your bag.

MAX: From the light of Earth, the dark descends,

should they return, that all depends.

Yeah, I did it!

It's full of books. Okay, it's top-heavy, you dweeb.

That's the reason why it fell.

Max, pick your bag up with your hands.

Hey, Dad. Hey, Max.

Colin, big guy. Dad.

I see you're in a cape. Again.

Yep. Breaking it in for the talent show.

But how long does it take you to break something in?

I mean, you've been flapping around in that thing for over a week.

It's not like when Colin got his new football helmet on his head.

Now, that's something worth breaking in.

The helmet or his head?

You know, it's not just a talent show Halloween night. There's also a dance.

You're on the committee. I volunteered you.

Cha-cha? Come on. Get it. Get it.

This has to be child abuse.

I'd rather eat my own underwear.

You know how, with the snake...

Okay. I'm gonna go take a shower.

And then, I'm gonna take my athletic son to the doctor

to check out the ankle he tweaked running yesterday.

Gotta be in shape for football practice.

Right on, dude? Got you.

Okay, Colin, go get dressed.

He isn't limping.

BOTH: Hmm.

(GIGGLES)

Oh, glory, glory, glory.

(HONKING)

Does anybody hear that?

Yeah, it's the bus. Hurry up, babe, you're gonna be late.

HARRIETT: Max! Don't forget your jacket!

Don't forget your backpack!

COLIN: Don't forget your pants!

Hey!

COLIN: What a bozo.

How is the great magician, Max-o the Lame-o?

Oh, Billy. What a treat.

Thought you didn't take the bus.

We moved.

Great.

So now I can get beat up on the way to school instead of during school.

It'll save me healing time.

You know, I think I'll beat you up going to and during school.

Thanks. You're so welcome.

Well, being threatened sure gives me an appetite.

I do magic.

Now you see it.

Now you don't.

(ALL LAUGHING)

That's it. I've had enough of your bullying!

(ALL EXCLAIMING)

What did you say?

Can't get enough of your bullying?

(SCREAMS)

(ALL LAUGHING)

I was just kidding.

I thought our history teacher was trying to hitch a ride, you know?

Yeah? Yeah?

(SCHOOL BELL RINGING)

So, Traci, are you serious about your parents grounding you?

I guess.

I mean, I can't believe I got a D in yesterday's science test.

I studied in between texting until midnight the day before.

Oh, my gosh.

No way! H2O stands for water?

I thought it meant "Hi to All of You."

Maybe you spend too much time texting.

Seriously, why would you say that?

(AUDIENCE APPLAUDING)

(AUDIENCE APPLAUDING)

And now, let's see if I can get my lovely assistant

to step back into my magic trunk.

From the light of Earth, the dark descends,

should they return, that all depends.

(AUDIENCE APPLAUDING)

From the light of Earth, the dark descends,

should they return, that all depends.

Hey, Traci. You know, I was wondering,

how would you like to be the assistant in my magic...

Excuse me. Excuse me. I'm sorry. Excuse me.

Excuse me. Excuse me. Excuse me.

(PANTING) Hey, Traci!

Yeah?

Hey.

I was wondering if you...

What?

I was... See you later, Max.

Wait! Wait, wait! Wait!

TRACI: Hey, guys.

Were you gonna talk to Traci?

It's my right as an American citizen.

I hereby waive all my rights.

Man, I'd mop the floor with you,

but I think this will do you more damage.

She's not gonna talk to you after she sees this, loser.

Hey, Traci! Come see the king of the losers.

Max?

Present.

(NICKY EXCLAIMS)

(TARA CHUCKLES)

I see you! I can see you!

Where'd we go?

We're home!

Our house!

(TARA LAUGHING)

Mom and Dad will know what's happening.

Or will they?

No one can see or hear us.

We're ghosts.

This is bad, Nicky, really bad.

Well...

Look on the bright side.

We were never able to do this before.

(NICKY SHRIEKING)

Nicky!

And here's something else I found out.

If you concentrate kind of hard, you can use your hands.

(EXCLAIMS)

That's weird. My hat just fell off.

Don't bother people. She didn't do anything to you.

Tara!

Concentrate! Go for it.

(BOTH LAUGHING)

I didn't know you were bald.

Well, I paid a lot of money for you not to know that.

Now see what you did? You ruined this guy's whole night.

Me? You're the one who told me to do it.

Now, stop having fun. This is serious.

Yes, sir, Mom.

If Mom and Dad can't see us, I don't know what we're gonna do.

D-O-Y-L-E.

Our name isn't Doyle. It's Roland.

Well, this is our house, isn't it?

It's our address.

That's our tree.

This is really scaring me. Daddy, Mommy!

This could be a good game.

Okay.

Who are they?

Where's our furniture?

Mom, Dad!

TARA: Mommy! Daddy! Where are you?

NICKY: Mom! Dad!

TARA: Daddy, come out! Mama! NICKY: Dad!

I am freaking out.

Let's nail these guys.

(COMMENTATOR CHATTERING ON TV)

Who are you?

(GRUNTING)

(CHATTERING ON TV CONTINUES)

Colin, use your hands.

I usually do. I must have fell.

My face is salty.

MAX: Dad?

Hey, don't do that again, doofus.

Do what?

But you know what I mean. The popcorn thing.

Colin, isn't it weird to eat something the size of your own brain?

Hey. We're trying to watch the game.

Dad, I forgot to ask, what's paranormal?

It's easy. It's two normals.

Okay, I'm betting everything I've got that that's not right.

And you win.

Paranormal is the study of ghosts and ghostly matters.

Some people have a real talent for it.

So if I studied Colin, it would be the study of para-not-normal?

(SCREAMS)

Come on, buddy. I'm trying to watch the game.

Dad?

We're not alone.

Of course we aren't. Colin's right here.

Yeah. I mean behind me.

I don't see anyone.

(EXCLAIMS)

He sees us!

You see us?

Uh-huh.

Okay, if you can hear us, say weenie-weenie-weenie.

Weenie-weenie-weenie.

Yeah, right, that weenie could bust your head open with one hand.

Where are our parents?

Who are your parents?

Buddy, they're your grandpa and your grandma.

Come on now.

Why are you living here?

Why are we living here?

We got a good price.

And the people who moved out like eight months ago, they just left.

Touchdown Vikings! Nice!

Yes! Yes.

It must have been you guys I heard this morning at the kitchen table,

you know, saying "Glory, oh, glory, glory."

BOTH: Lulu!

(TARA CHUCKLES)

Halftime. Bathroom break.

I got downstairs.

You had the closest bathroom last time.

Race you to go downstairs.

TARA: Lulu!

Oh, glory, glory, where have you kids been?

I came back every day to make breakfast, hoping you'd be here.

It's night though, not breakfast time.

Life's been a little strange lately.

TARA: This is Max.

So far, he's the only one who can see and hear us.

Glory, glory. So you can see us?

Yeah. Lucky me.

Would you like some eggs?

Sure. You probably make them better than Mom, even though you are dead.

What happened to us?

How long have we been gone?

A year, maybe two.

Where'd we go?

I feel so weak.

Maybe I should start working out.

This coming and going takes a lot out of a person.

Your parents. They found the tunnel.

They locked up all the evil ghosts.

But Phears, he plans on letting them all out on Halloween,

when he's at his full power.

You can't let him.

But we don't know anything about a tunnel.

How do we get there?

Only the living can go into the tunnel and return.

Only the living can help.

"Only the living"?

But we're ghosts.

I don't wanna be a ghost.

LULU: Can't hear you, honey.

I'm fading again.

Testing one, two, three. Hello?

Are you this guy Phears?

No.

You seen a tunnel? No.

And I don't know anything about your parents.

I already have two, so I don't need anybody else's driving me nuts.

Was that your dad and brother in the living room?

Yeah. Why?

I'm asking the questions.

I'll show you what ghosts can do if they don't get the right answers.

(TARA GIGGLING)

Yes!

Yes! Yes! We did it!

What are you guys doing? And where's all our furniture?

Uh-oh.

That's my mom.

Hey, everybody. I'm home. Whoops, wrong house.

(SIGHS)

(DOOR CLOSING)

Okay. Confusing a confused mom, that's got to be off-limits.

No.

From the light of Earth, the dark descends, should they return...

Hey.

I've heard that before.

Yeah, well, the stupid chant's gotta be good for something.

Where's our mom and dad?

MAX: I already told you, I don't know!

Anyway, I'll help you. Just put everything back the way it was.

Please!

Okay. MAX: Thanks.

No!

A Mom look? You're giving me...

Doing it.

I just had the weirdest d�j� vu thing,

only I thought I was in the wrong house.

You know, Mom,

I think Buster needs to go for a walk.

He just went for a walk.

Well, I know, but he's been drinking a lot of water today,

so he probably has to go.

And that way we all can go for a walk.

I'm not going for a walk. I just got home.

Well, I don't mean "we."

I mean we, us, we.

I mean... I don't know what I mean.

Bye.

Nicky!

Thank you. You're welcome.

Stop. How'd you like to hit your head?

I can't. It's impossible. Look.

You okay?

Yeah, I'm fine.

I remember the words. "The light of Earth, the dark descends"?

I remember Dad saying them.

(NICKY LAUGHING HYSTERICALLY)

Whoa.

Anyway, I read them on a piece of paper Buster dug up.

Where'd he find it?

In the backyard.

Maybe Mom and Dad left us a note! We'll dig in the backyard.

I used to bury stuff back there all the time.

Are you guys serious?

Who's gonna explain the huge mess to my parents?

Don't worry. We always clean up after our messes.

Almost always.

MAX: All right. Look.

If you guys have to dig,

can you please wait until after my parents go to bed?

'Cause I don't want them seeing dirt magically flying around in the backyard.

We'll wait in the garage.

I wanna dig. Garage!

Okay, okay.

Thanks. You're welcome.

Bye.

Bye.

Come on, Buster.

Great. All I wanted was to do magic.

Now I've got ghosts!

I should have stuck to raising hamsters.

(WHIMPERING)

(CRUMBLING)

What is it, boy?

Buster?

I was gonna say, "Let's split," but this is ridiculous.

Max Doyle. Where are they?

(PANTING) They?

Do you think maybe we could be a little more specific?

And who are you?

I am Phears, the Animal Traveler.

Now, if you tell me where they are,

I might let you live.

There you go with that "they" again.

The children, Tara and Nicky.

Oh.

That "they."

I'm afraid I don't know anyone by that name. Sorry.

(SIGHS)

Max.

Would you like to see what happens when I get angry?

No, thanks.

Well, check this out.

(SPIRITS LAUGHING)

(SPIRITS LAUGHING)

Next time I'll tell them to make you feel the pain.

Tell Nicky and Tara that their parents are gone for good

and that all of the ghosts will soon be set free.

Okay. I'll tell them.

If you can tell them, then you know where they are.

You cannot hide them from me, Max.

We will meet again.

And if you tell anyone that you've seen me,

my cape-dwelling friends and I will haunt them

and make their lives unlivable.

Understand?

Tell no one, especially your parents.

I know where you live, Max.

When was the last time you saw your parents grovel for mercy?

At my cousin Skeeter's piano recital?

What?

Uh...

I mean, never!

I've never seen that happen. And I really don't want to, Mr. Phears.

So I won't tell anybody. No Mom, no Dad, no nobody.

From the light of Earth, the dark descends,

should they return, that all depends.

Don't ever say those words again.

Buster? Did you see any of that?

Or at least half of it?

Buster!

You're back, Buster. You're back.

Oh, my gosh, you're back.

This Max the Magician has the first part of Roland's chant,

the spell, our curse.

Take note. If Tara...

We have to find Mom and Dad.

Or Nicky...

We have to find Mom and Dad.

Or Max...

I have to find Buster's flea bath!

If any of these three brats find the second part of the chant

and the Cast Away Ring, they will send us to the depths of the Earth.

(ALL MOANS)

But I have a plan.

What if I could travel amongst them?

Move about in secret, disguised as one of them?

(ALL EXCLAIMING)

I must be certain of what these kids know.

And I am going to find out.

(LAUGHING)

Hey, Max.

You know, if you'd spend as much time jogging

as you did walking Buster, you'd be a regular miler.

Anyway, Mom says the dinner/dance/talent show is gonna be killer.

You're headlining, right?

Nicky's in your room.

Right? Yeah.

Yeah. Yeah, headlights.

Yeah, that's me. Deer caught in the headlights.

And I promise I won't do anything

that'll make a monster haunt you for the rest of your life. Yeah.

Well, that's considerate of you.

We promise the same thing, dear.

Yeah. And if Buster splits open, it's okay.

It's a new trick I taught him. Yeah.

Fetch would have been fine.

Well, I'm gonna go to bed now. Good night.

BOTH: Splits open?

Nicky, what are you doing, man?

Your brother is weird.

He lip-synchs songs into his web-cam.

Okay.

Let's not even get into what he does with karaoke iTunes.

I didn't know ghosts slept.

Yeah. Being dead can wear you out pretty fast.

What was that big box your mom was working on?

My magic stuff. I'm gonna use it in the show on Friday.

Tara told me about Phears.

It's pretty weird he didn't even notice she was behind him.

Well, everything's been pretty weird lately.

Why should that be any different?

Yeah, well, I'm going to bed.

Nicky!

It's my old room. I'll be good.

Are you sleeping on the floor?

Well, this way I don't have to make my bed in the morning.

All right.

So, I went out shopping today.

I picked up this book on wizards, shamans and sorcerers.

MAX: Mom! Yeah.

Uh...

It looks kind of weird.

It does?

I thought the drawing on the cover was cool.

Anyway.

This morning I got to thinking about those magic words you're always saying.

What's interesting about this book is that

there all kinds of expressions and chants just like that in here.

Sounds like one of these guys casting a spell,

a spell designed to defeat evil.

Just thought maybe you could find some more magic words for your act, you know.

Might be fun.

Mom?

Do you think you might wanna spend the night in here tonight with me?

Honey, I haven't done that since you were a baby.

Yeah, but don't you notice something strange about the room?

You mean besides you wanting to sleep on the floor instead of in your bed,

and your being in your school clothes instead of in your pajamas?

No.

Oh, okay. Never mind. Sorry.

Honey, go brush your teeth, get on your pj's.

Okay.

Pancakes in the morning. Sleep warm in your bed.

I love you.

Love you, too, Mom. Night.

Magic.

Ghosts. Demons?

Splitting dogs?

Why can't I just be a normal kid

who only has to worry about how many zits to cover up?

I've got to do this.

What?

Where's Tara?

(MOANS)

Rise and shine.

Morning.

Did I startle you?

Oh, no.

Why would I be startled when the first thing in the morning I see

is a head popping out of a toilet?

Look.

I've given you guys my house, my dog, my bedroom and even my bed.

So there's one place that has to be off-limits, and this is it.

Okay.

Tara wanted me to tell you that I went dirt-diving this morning,

and I couldn't find any more pages.

Where is Tara?

Inside your computer. What?

Hey, weren't you just in the... Never mind.

Whoa! Hi, Max!

Hi, Nicky!

(TARA WHOOPING)

Tada!

Morning.

When I woke up this morning, I found this in your room.

Wow. It's our mom and dad.

The book mentions all these parapsychology websites.

So I decided to go on the Internet.

No, I decided to go in the Internet.

That's so awesome!

I was looking for anything about my parents.

Being on the inside, I got into pay sites and no-access files.

A classified studies file at Duke University

mentioned that our parents were writing a report there on...

That's the paper I found.

This paper was never seen.

Something happened to our parents before they got the chance to publish it.

It's titled Transportation of Evil Paranormal Entities.

Paranormal entities,

like ghosts, vampires and ghouls

and Phears!

Whoa. I bet it was never seen because Phears tried to get rid of it.

Or your parents.

Tara?

I really miss Mom and Dad.

Nicky.

(SNIFFING)

You been in a toilet?

Yeah.

JOHN: Have a good day, Max!

I will!

HARRIETT: I'll bring your magic trunk to school, honey.

Okay. Thanks!

We're staying close to home in case Lulu comes back.

She might have more to tell us.

Yeah, and I wanna look for the tunnel.

When he finds it, we need you.

Oh, yeah. 'Cause only a living person can enter, right?

TARA: What? Scared?

You won't go in the tunnel?

No.

It's just Billy. He's always punking on me in front of the other kids.

What a bully.

Just once, I wish I could use magic to send him into space during school time.

I can't pass this up.

Me neither.

(TARA LAUGHING)

Morning, loser.

Morning, Billy.

(TARA LAUGHING)

(ALL LAUGHING)

How do you like this? You really like this.

Back into the computer!

Searching for the tunnel.

You're welcome. Bye.

Hey, Max. Can I talk to you in private?

Yeah.

So I hear you're looking for an assistant for your magic act.

I might say yes to something like that.

You're talking to me?

About your assistant, I mean, my assistant?

I mean, I'd love to have you do it.

Calm down. I said "might."

Well, what'll it take to change "I might" to "I will"?

Well, first of all, you have to promise not to hang around me too much.

It's not good for a senior to be seen with an underclassman.

You got it. I promise.

Secondly, I want my name to be clearly stated in all advertising materials.

And it has to be the same size as yours.

Done.

And fourthly... Thirdly.

Right. Thirdly,

I understand you're capable of dealing with advanced senior science class.

And I might need your help for a midterm paper.

Well, I'll be glad to help. Anytime, anyplace.

Okay.

But remember, this is advanced senior science class,

so it might get a little tricky.

Let them trick away. Don't forget, I'm Max the Magnificent.

That's so sweet of you.

Beauty is, you don't have to water them. They're artificial.

I hope you don't have artificial hay fever.

Okay. Rehearsal here after school.

Got it.

Now I've gotta get to class.

I'll walk with you. Yeah.

(CRASHING)

Max?

I was looking for something. Yeah.

You're so funny. Yeah.

See you later. See you later.

What were you two guys doing down here?

Just some magic.

No tunnel there. No tunnel anywhere.

(SPIRITS WHISPERING)

(GROANS)

You asked for it.

Oh, yeah!

Lulu said that only a living person can enter the tunnel.

This must be it!

Tara!

Tara, come on!

What? I was in the computer tracing all e-mails from Mom and Dad.

There's thousands and thousands of them.

And I found something, an e-mail from Dad to Mom.

A wizard or magician can rescue victims banished as ghosts by the Lord of Evil.

Tara... A wizard or magician! That's Max!

Every word by the magician can...

Okay, okay. Tara...

Listen, okay? The tunnel, you know? I found the tunnel.

Really? Where?

It's right here. Come on.

(SPIRITS WHISPERING)

See? Told you.

(SHUSHING) I'm trying to hear what they're saying.

(SCREAMING)

Nicky!

Come on! No!

(BOTH GRUNTING)

Whoa!

Uh-oh.

Come on.

Help me!

Couldn't you, like, pull a little bit harder?

I'm trying. I'm a little girl!

I'd like my head back.

I'm working on it.

Help me! It's your head!

Would you come over here and pick up my head, please?

All right.

Tara, where are you?

Your head's on backwards.

It's the tunnel, Nicky!

I'll get Max.

I don't think they're gonna be very happy he's dropping in.

Well, hello. How did you get out of your cage?

(SCREAMING)

(GASPS)

Smaller is scarier.

TARA: Max! Yeah?

We found the tunnel.

Where? Your basement.

They weren't mice. They were paranormal things.

Yeah. And everything Lulu told us was true.

Hey, Max. I thought that we'd walk to rehearsal together.

Yeah.

(SIGHS)

Max, you have to go into the tunnel.

Not now. We'll talk later, okay?

Later? But we're trying to find my mom and dad.

And who's she? That's Traci,

my assistant.

Look, Tara. I need some really cool magic stuff,

things flying, disappearing, really awesome.

I wanna impress Traci, and I want her to be really amazed.

So, everyone on your bus is talking about how your magic pushed Billy around.

It was so simple. You see, I just unleash my full magical

(TARA LAUGHING)

powers.

Let me explain.

See, I have a unique gift that allows me to turn my face into a magnet.

I just used my face to open that locker door.

(TARA GIGGLING)

I better demagnetize.

No more locker doors.

No more locker doors.

You know, Traci, after the show there's a dance.

Oh, you wouldn't. This old hag?

She's wearing too much makeup.

No, she's not.

I'm not what?

Not going to the dance alone.

No. That never happens.

Usually some jerk from the football team invites me.

If you were free for just one dance, then maybe you could...

(MUMBLING)

That's cute. Cat got your tongue?

Come on. Let's go rehearse.

Yeah.

So what was that all about?

Pay attention to me.

You have to go into the tunnel.

Tomorrow, okay? We'll do it tomorrow.

Today, I'm rehearsing.

MAX: Hey, wait up!

Hey. Hey.

My trunk. Sweet.

Hi, honey. Hey, Mom. Whoa.

I brought your magic stuff over.

Thank you, Mom.

You're welcome, sweetie.

Mom, this is my new assistant, Traci.

Traci. Hi. Hi. Nice to meet you.

You're Max's assistant. Nice. Yeah. Thanks.

Hope Max has told you what you're getting in for.

I'm sure it will be all good.

Max, if we don't go now, it'll be too late.

No, it won't.

It won't?

No, no. Everything's fine. It's all under control, okay?

(SCREAMING)

Hey! Get down!

(TARA SCREAMING)

TARA: Max!

Hey! Stop! Give her back!

What? Give who back?

Ms. Doyle? Is Max always like this?

Yeah, he's always like this, but never really as much as that.

Tara!

(GRUNTS)

Max!

HARRIETT: Max!

Come on. Open the door!

Max, I think I hear someone calling.

TARA: Help, Max, help.

"Help, Max, help." He'll be right there, sweetie.

But first, he has to have some teeth drilled.

No, no, he doesn't. No, I'll take a haircut. A haircut's fine. Please.

(SPIRITS LAUGHING)

(DRILL WHIRRING)

I love that sound.

His bicuspids look spectacular.

We should take those out first.

Bring Nicky to me on Halloween night,

or we'll schedule a second dental appointment.

Have a sucker.

(LAUGHING)

(SPIRITS LAUGHING)

From the light of Earth, the dark descends,

should they return, that all depends.

Quiet!

Max! I've grown stronger.

Half of a spell just won't do the charm.

Remember, always floss.

I unfortunately never did.

(LAUGHING)

HARRIETT: Max! Open the door!

(SCREAMING)

MAX: Miss Wilson!

Miss Wilson? Miss Wilson. Miss Wilson? Do not fall.

Miss Wilson. Wait!

Okay, okay. Now fall.

(CRASHING)

I thought people always fainted backwards.

Who's Tara?

Who's this person we can't see?

She's just part of my magic...

Was part of my magic act.

Oh, nice.

(CAR HONKING)

Hey, honey.

Hey, what's up, magic man?

I'm just getting ready for my magic act.

I don't know. Doesn't really matter.

Oh, come on. This is a big day for you.

And strange. Very strange day.

Mrs. Murray was taken away in an ambulance.

Yeah, she just snapped.

And our son was chasing an invisible something.

Mom. It's okay. I'm just a little stressed out.

That's all. Stressed out?

Max, what have I been telling you for years?

Nothing relaxes a person like exercise.

Football, baseball, basketball.

I mean, just look at your brother, Colin.

Look how relaxed he is.

Nice.

Well, guys that only have to worry about which deodorant to use

usually are relaxed. What?

Come on.

Honey, I need to talk to you.

About Max.

All right. I'll tell you what, Max.

I want you to stay out here with Colin

until you score at least 10 points against him in a one-on-one.

What? Dad!

Yeah, yeah, I won't take no for an answer. All right?

No son of mine is gonna be stressed out

when all he needs is a little quality basketball time with his brother.

Now, get to it.

(MOANS)

Max!

Max, you've gotta get into that tunnel.

Where's Tara?

Look, I've got some bad news.

Yeah? Well, so do I.

You're never gonna make it to 10.

Look, Colin, I've gotta get inside. Now. It's important.

Hey. Forget it. You heard Dad.

You can't go inside until you make it to 10.

Fine.

Come on, Max. I'm gonna help you win this thing.

Okay.

(MAX WHOOPING)

What?

See you.

I gotta stop eating yum-dums.

What, so, what's your bad news?

Phears took your sister.

No! Yeah.

If I would have paid more attention to her at school,

then Phears wouldn't have been able to snatch her.

Dude, this is all my fault.

Listen.

It's not your fault that Phears is trying to snatch Tara and me.

We're the ones that brought you into this anyway.

Yeah, I guess whose fault it was doesn't matter.

But we've gotta save her.

So what are we gonna do?

Okay, listen.

You know how Lulu was talking about how there's a tunnel

and only living people can go in there?

Yeah.

Okay, well, there must be something in there that Phears doesn't want us to see.

You're right.

Something that'll help us defeat him.

Oh, yeah.

Come on. You're going in.

What?

Yeah. You have to go in. I'm dead.

MAX: What? Yeah, let's go.

MAX: What? Yeah.

But are you sure about this?

I mean, what if we're not ready...

NICKY: Yeah, let's go.

Okay, okay. I'm going.

I gotta stop eating peanuts, too.

Oh, wait. This is just a dream.

Not a dream.

No one in the world wants to go into this tunnel more than me.

Unless you do.

Are you afraid?

Afraid?

I don't know the meaning of the word afraid.

Fortunately, I do know the meaning of fear and petrified.

Okay. All I want you to do is run and jump through the wall.

You want me to jump into that wall?

Yes, you'll be fine. You'll pass right through.

I thought that only you could do that.

The fact that you're not a ghost is the only reason you can go in there.

Okay? Get ready.

One, two... Wait!

What if I can't find my way out of there?

Then I'll end up a ghost and I'll be no use to Tara.

You'll be fine.

One, two... Wait!

I have two more things to say.

What?

Don't let me do this.

One, two... Wait!

That was only one thing.

What's the second thing?

Please, don't let me do this!

Come on, man.

No! One, two, three.

Deep breaths. Deep breaths.

The worst is behind you.

Correction. The worst is in front of you.

Oh, boy.

If only I knew where she was.

TARA: I'm here.

(WHISPERING) Where?

Back of the tunnel. Go straight.

If only she could see me, too.

TARA: I can see you.

I need you to come to me. Now.

Are you crazy?

There's a whole bunch of people down there

that I usually try to kill in video games.

It's okay.

Just like when Nicky and I are in your world,

you're the only one who can see us.

Here, I'm the only one who can see you.

Now get over here. But be careful.

They can't see, but they might be able to feel you.

Tara. I'm here to save you. I made it.

I can't. Lulu's right.

Only the living can make it out of here,

until tomorrow night.

But that's Halloween.

I know.

That's when Phears is planning to release all these spirits.

So what can we do?

I want you to go back and do your show tomorrow night

and make sure Nicky is there helping.

You want me to do my show? But why?

You'll see.

And I want you to take this.

Find the ring inside and make sure you wear it tomorrow night.

It'll help your magic.

Now, get out of here before Phears gets back.

Just like you can see him, he can see you.

(GULPS)

(SCREAMS)

Stay away!

(SCREAMING)

I'm back.

I'm alive.

But my face hurts.

Well, what happened? Did you see Tara or what?

Yeah. She gave me this.

This is my dad's stuff. Phears must have been hiding it.

But why? What didn't he want me to see?

Let's find out.

Cool ring. I've never seen this before.

Tara told me about this.

You couldn't get Tara out of there?

She didn't want me to get her out.

She just said to do the show tomorrow night and be sure that you were there.

She said we'd find out why.

Are you sure?

Positive.

I think it has something to do with Phears and Halloween.

But she did say to be sure I was wearing this ring.

(MOANING)

(EXCLAIMS)

(SCREAMING)

(CRUMBLING)

(SPIRITS LAUGHING)

(ALL MOANING)

He plans on letting them all out on Halloween, when he's at his full power.

You can't let him.

(TARA SCREAMING)

A spell designed to defeat evil.

Only the living can make it out of here.

(SCREAMING)

(PANTING)

(SCREAMING) Boo!

(LAUGHING HYSTERICALLY)

Can I have a glass of water?

It's okay, Max. You were only dreaming.

Are you sure?

Yeah, man. I've been here the whole time.

Don't worry. No ghosts can get in here without me knowing about it.

Coming from a ghost, I'm sure that fixes everything.

KIDS: Trick or treat!

Do you remember when you were that little, honey?

No, just leave the candy. It's okay. Come on.

Don't wanna be late for your show.

So, we just do the regular act?

Whatever that is.

(COLIN SCREAMS)

(MAX EXCLAIMS)

Jeez. Man, what a wimp.

Are you gonna let him get away with that?

Forget it. We've gotta get to the show.

Now get in. I'll meet you at the school.

KIDS: Trick or treat!

(DANCE MUSIC PLAYING ON STEREO)

And now, ladies and gentlemen, to kick off tonight's entertainment,

I am pleased to present Max the Magnificent

and his equally magnificent assistant, Traci Walker.

(PIANO PLAYING)

(ALL CHUCKLING)

What do we do first?

I don't know.

Let's see what junk my mom put in the trunk.

Hey, pick it up.

(ALL MUTTERING)

And pour.

Enough!

(WHISPERING) What'd you do that for?

Well, you never told me to stop.

Aha!

A deck of cards.

And now for my next trick

I need my lovely assistant to stand next to me.

And what would you like me to do?

You're doing it.

(AUDIENCE LAUGHING)

And now I need a volunteer from the audience.

You, sir.

I want you to pick a card.

But wait, don't come to me. The deck will come to you.

(ALL GASP)

And now, sir, pick a card.

Now, show it to the audience.

Now, put it back in the deck.

And now the deck will come back to me.

Three of hearts.

Was your card the three of hearts?

What does any of this have to do with freeing Tara or my parents?

I don't know, brother. She just told me to do the act.

A cockroach?

Well, I guess we aren't the only audience watching the show tonight.

(ALL LAUGHING)

Okay. Let's move on to some levitating.

From the light of Earth, the dark descends,

should they return, that all depends.

(CHUCKLING)

Behold, on this the most evil of Halloween nights,

my legion of souls will walk again.

(LAUGHING HYSTERICALLY)

Oh, you want a little of this? How about you? You want some, too?

(SPIRITS LAUGHING)

(PEOPLE SCREAMING)

Mom, there's real ghosts out here.

Oh, honey, you know there's no such thing as ghosts.

Hey, leave my mom alone.

Come forward, my children. Forward!

Take your place eternally tormenting the living.

Enjoy.

(ALL SCREAMING)

Max!

Hey!

Hey! Nobody invited you to this party!

I crashed.

Now, I just need to find the last of the Roland brats,

and I'll be unstoppable!

Where's my sister?

How accommodating.

Let me go!

"Oh, let me go. Let me go."

(LAUGHING)

Let go of my brother!

(SCREAMING)

Max! Read the light! Read the light of the ring!

What? I can't read it, it's...

MAX: From the light of Earth, the Dark descends,

should they return, that all depends.

When hands point up to moonlit skies,

on ten-three-one, the darkness dies.

(RUMBLING)

(THUNDER CRASHING)

You got it, Max! Read it again!

From the light of Earth, the Dark descends,

should they return, that all depends.

When hands point up to moonlit skies,

on ten-three-one, the darkness dies.

Come on, everybody!

From the light of Earth, the dark descends...

Stop reading that cursed poem!

ALL: Should they return, that all depends! No!

When hands point up to moonlit skies,

on ten-three-one the darkness dies!

No! No! No!

Grab a hold of Max.

We have to be holding someone who's living!

No! Stop! All of you, don't send me back!

Don't send me back! No!

Grab a hold of our hands!

What?

What do you mean?

Wait!

(PANTING)

(ALL APPLAUDING)

(WHISTLING)

Max, I can't believe it.

You made this fundraiser the most successful one the school has ever had.

Thank you.

Max.

That was the most amazing magic act I've ever seen.

Son, I can't tell you how proud you made me.

I've been trying to get you into sports and to keep up with Colin and...

Forget it.

You really found your true calling,

and I want you to know I back you 100%.

You made this the best Halloween ever.

Thanks, Dad.

Everybody, everybody! This is my son up here.

TARA: You really have made this the best Halloween ever.

You guys made it. Phears didn't get you.

Thanks to you.

Come on. You guys are the ones who did it.

Now, with Phears out of the way,

we can really concentrate on finding your parents.

You know what? I can feel Mom and Dad.

They know we're looking for them.

And they believe we're gonna find them, too.

We got the ring. We know where the tunnel is.

And the evil ghosts are gone.

We can probably find more clues in there and that should lead us right to them.

This is so great.

You know, it's weird, 'cause I can feel them, too.

It's like they're leading us right to them. I know.

A little more investigating, and we should be hooking up with them soon.

Oh, my gosh, this is so great.

Oh, yeah. Listen, Max.

Go back there and enjoy some time with your family. You deserve it.

Yeah. We'll see you back at the house.

Okay. Don't worry.

Tomorrow, we'll dive head-on into this investigation.

The three of us, we make an awesome team.

And nothing can stop us now.

Yeah! High fives!

(CROWD APPLAUDING)

Bye!

(PHEARS LAUGHING)

Subtitles by LeapinLar