The most difficult thing about reviewing new DVDs each week
is choosing just which title to write about. While you would love to write
about the best film being released it's not always a movie that's easily
accessible. So you do the next best thing. You write about the one that will be
easily found and probably rented by more folks than any other. So if you want
to know what the best release this week is read
what I've written about SOLOMON KANE.
That being said let's take a look at what will probably be
the big DVD of the week, JACK THE GIANT SLAYER. Directed by Bryan Singer, the
man responsible for the X-Men trilogy, SUPERMAN RETURNS, VALKYRIE and one of my
favorite movies, THE USUAL SUSPECTS, brings us a new take on the classic fairy
tale that I'm sure we all heard growing up. Trust me when I say this isn't your
grandpa's giant killer.
Jack here, played by Nicholas Hoult, is indeed a young farm
boy who has fond memories of his mother reading him the fairy tale but who now
finds himself living with his uncle and being forced to sell the family horse
to get money to fix their home. In town he bumps into a friar on the run from
the evil Lord Roderick (Stanley Tucci). The friar has stolen some magic beans
from Roderick in hopes of preventing him from using them to reach the legendary
giants as well as the crown that held them at bay from attacking folks here on
Earth. Before he can be caught he entrusts the beans to Jack and tells him to
take them to the Abby for safekeeping. Of course Jack's uncle gets mad and
tosses the beans at him, several of which fall through the cracks in the floor
to the ground in the midst of a terrible rain storm.
Back at the castle Princess Isabelle (Eleanor Tomlinson) is
set to marry Roderick, something she truly does not want to do. But as with all
medieval films it seems princesses are nearly always forced into a marriage
with someone they don't love to solve problems in the kingdom. This story is no
different and that evening Isabell runs away from home. Where does she end up?
At Jack's house of course.
Having met earlier in the day, when Jack attempted to save
her honor from some ruffians when she was in disguise, the two are drawn to one
another but realize that there is no way a princess may marry a commoner.
Before their attraction can kick in, the beans hatch and begin lifting the
house into the skies. Jack attempts to save Isabell but is tossed from the
house before he can do so.
The next day the king's men show, led by knight Elmont (Ewan
McGregor) head of the elite guard. The king sends Elmont along with Roderick,
several guards and Jack who insists on going along. They make the treacherous
climb up the beanstalk and find the land that was spoken of in fairy tales, a
land where giants actually exist. They also have the uncanny ability to smell
out the Englishmen who have made there way upwards.
The rest of the film answers the questions will they escape,
will Roderick find the crown and rule over all, will Jack and Isabell find a
way around their differences to fulfill true love and will the giants make
their way down the beanstalk to attack England? I could answer all of those
questions but there is more fun in watching them than reading here about those
answers.
The film moves along at a brisk pace, never slacking off or
becoming tiresome. The acting by all is well played with McGregor moving
comfortably into the swashbuckling hero role he began playing in the STAR WARS
films. Hoult does a great job as well as the impressionable Jack and Tomlinson
portrays the fair maiden in distress admirably. But while the acting is good
it's the special effects folks are waiting for in this movie.
Those special effects live up to all expectations. The
giants are all quite believable with each one having their own special
characteristics and quirks about them. In the lead is General Fallon, a two
headed creature bent on taking back the lower land they once ruled. The
beanstalk is also well thought out and offered up in its full glory.
In the end I can say that this film was an enjoyable time,
an evening well spent. It offered some new twists to an old tale, some great
acting, notable special effects and never attempted to become offensive with
gross out jokes or language. There are some violent moments that might bother
small children (people being eaten by giants) but I would say the whole family
could enjoy this one together. Unless you're the Addams family, in which case
you'll want to rent EVIL DEAD.
Click here to order.
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