It was only a matter of time before Hollywood's dollar-driven gaze turned to a big screen version of the 1960s TV comedy starring Elizabeth Montgomery.

The original pitch was a simple yet highly effective one which saw Montgomery's Samantha determined to ditch her supernatural powers for a crack at normal life.

Here Kidman winningly dons the white witch's cape, gamely playing Samantha as a naïve yet less-than-subtly resourceful witch when the situation demands it.

Ferrell is Jack Wyatt, an obnoxiously self-centred Hollywood hitter whose career is on the slide after a disastrous movie outing.

Encouraged by his scheming manager, he accepts the role of Samantha's husband in the modern remake of the 40-year-old comedy.

However, to ensure his screen spouse doesn't steal this celebrity thunder, he rigs for the unknown Sam to get the part after running into her in a coffee shop.

Things go swimmingly... until she realises she is being used by the manipulative Wyatt and plans a suitably hex-citing revenge.

Directed and co-written by Nora Ephron - who penned When Harry Met Sally - this is a veritable cauldron of fizzing gags and bubbling humour.

The device of setting the action on the set of the film remake could have been an over-elaborate flop - but it soars like the proverbial witch's broomstick.

Kidman's performance, which displays more than a nod to a breathless Marilyn Monroe, is a sparkling delight, showing she's no slouch at light comedy.

However, it's Ferrell, a precociously gifted comedy actor who's been ill-served with some disastrous roles, that's really given the chance to shine.

This performance - a perfectly-timed tour de force - is up there with Anchorman as a side-splitting testament to what he's capable of.

The script - written by Nora and Delia Ephron - is a fast-firing cascade of sharp one-liners and the support - particularly Michael Caine's randy warlock - lend broad appeal.

Great fun.

Tim Evans.