Jack the Giant Slayer: A Movie Review

I’ve just returned from seeing the new movie Jack the Giant Slayer in Imax and 3-D. To see it in both these versions is to not only to see the movie, but live it as well. Inspite of tepid and bad reviews I must say I thoroughly enjoyed it. These same reviewers must be the same ones that call Bruce Willis’ Die Hard movies far-fetched. Of course they’re far-fetched; they are supposed to be. These reviewers are too hung up on reality and political correctness, and lack sense of humor and escapism.The story is loosely based on the fairy tales Jack and the Beanstalk and Jack the Giant Killer. It has great characters, great storyline, lots of action fabulous special effects and a happy ending; something for everyone.

The ancient war between humans and a race of giants is reignited when Jack, a young farmhand fighting for a kingdom and the love of a princess, opens a gateway between the two worlds

The beanstalk itself is something to behold as it grows and grows super gigantic and super wide that opens the kingdom where Jack lives on a farm to a world of giants. Not just one like in the fairy tale, but a whole army of them all at least 50 feet tall and ugly to the bone.

The film stars newcomer Nicholas Hoult as the young handsome Jack who leads an expedition in climbing the beanstalk to rescue the princess when the beanstalk takes the house she’s in at the time up to the giants’ land where she is being held captive. Hoult previously appeared in the romantic zombie movie Warm Bodies and his character here is much more lively and heartwarming and displays more personality.

One of my favorite characters is played by Stanley Tucci, who I’ve always liked. His Lord Roderick, an advisor to the king, is betrothed to the princess and later betrays her and the king when he usurps power through the ancient crown that has power over the giants. Tucci plays his role with a treacherous sarcastic wit and relishes in his evil.

There is plenty of suspense and close calls in fighting the giants and the CGI effects are overwhelming and really take you in.

I would not recommend it to children under nine years old as some of the giants are a cross between being terrifying and just plaine goofy, but if you like fantasy movies with a great story and special effects like I do and real escapism that you can take the family to I would highly recommend Jack the Giant Slayer.

• Nicholas Hoult as Jack, a young farmer who leads the expedition to rescue the princess.^[4] Hoult was selected from a short list of actors that included Aaron Johnson and Aneurin Barnard.^[5]
• Eleanor Tomlinson as Isabelle, the princess who is kidnapped by giants.^[3][6] Adelaide Kane, Lily Collins and Juno Temple also screen tested for the role.^[5]
• Stanley Tucci as Lord Roderick, an adviser to the king with designs on usurping power.^[3][7]
• Ian McShane as King Brahmwell, the princess’ father, who is none too thrilled about a union between his daughter and a farmer boy.^[8]
• Bill Nighy and John Kassir as Fallon, the two-headed leader of the giants. Nighy plays the big head and Kassir plays the smaller head.^[7]
• Ewan McGregor as Elmont, the leader of the king’s elite guard, who helps fight giants.