CAST: NICHOLAS HOULT, EWAN MCGREGOR, STANLEY TUCCI, BILL NIGHY, ELEANOR TOMLINSON, IAN MCSHANE, EDDIE MARSAN
DIRECTOR: BRYAN SINGER
SUMMARY: Jack the Giant Slayer is a re-imagination of the popular fairy tale, Jack and the Beanstalks. Long ago, in the kingdom of Cloister Albion, a group of monk decided to use a magical bean in order to meet their God. Unfortunately, the giant beanstalk led them not to heaven but to a land of giants. Tasting the flesh, blood and bones of humans, the murderous creatures seek more people beneath their homes. In order to defeat the giants, the King of Cloister forged a crown made out of the heart of a fallen giant. The piece of jewel enables the bearer to control the creatures. King Erik drove them back to their place. The giants bid their time and vowed to seek revenge against the descendants of the king. Centuries have passed and the magical kingdom is threatened once more after a simple farmer, Jack (Hoult) got hold of the magical beans and accidentally misplaced one of the seeds. To make matters worse, the princess, Isabelle (Tomlinson) is a prisoner of the giants. Jack, with the help of the knight Elmont (McGregor) tries to rescue the princess from the clutches of the giants and something more sinister – a corrupt human.
- The first fifteen minutes or so of the film discusses a made-up historical background of the magical beans. It is an obligation for the on-going trend of re-imagined tales to convince the audience their re-imagined tales. Think of us as famish fishes and the backgrounder as a fat, fresh and delicious bait. Once it captures our attention, the film reels us in – hook, line and sinker. BUT IS IT REALLY DELICIOUS? NO. WE WERE SIMPLY HUNGRY.
- Re-imagined kid stories are sometimes cool, sometimes fun and most of the time preposterous; but these movies are never exceptional. Substance takes a backseat and instead and special effects take over. From time to time, the movie elicits real thrill, especially in the second half, but like riding a roller-coaster, the blast ends when it stops. This happens because of its thin plot.
- As for the cast, Hoult and Tomlinson acquit themselves but the spotlight belongs to McGregor and Tucci. The latter in particular is such a delight. Think of his role as a cartoon version of Alan Rickman’s Sheriff George of Nottingham. McGregor looks like he’s having fun in the movie and it shows on-screen as he nailed his punchlines, perfectly.
- All throughout the first half, the characters are often reminded that battle with the giants is real and it ONLY became a legend with the passage of time. Well, there is an epilogue and it kind of ties with its EARLY constant reminder. Go back and read the gist because there is a clue on the epilogue. I liked the epilogue. I consider it a CROWNING JEWEL. Dammit. Spoilers.
- Jack and the Beanstalk symbolizes acquiring wisdom after hurdling tribulations. Jack the Giant Slayer is about a boy who confronted his fears (and giants!) in order to rescue the girl he loves. We can all agree, the movie could have tried to substantiate its narration. It is quite unfortunate the filmmakers put premium on special effects. Though, the second half of the movie has enough thrills to entertain the audience.
RATING: B-
