The BFG (PG)
Director: Steven Spielberg
3/5
Synopsis
A girl named Sophie (Ruby Barnhill) encounters the Big Friendly Giant (Mark Rylance) who, despite his intimidating appearance, turns out to be a kindhearted soul who is considered an outcast by the other giants because, unlike them, he refuses to eat children.
Review, by Jason Day
My expectations of this film conjured pleasant childhood memories, seeing as the devouring of Roald Dahl books was practically on my middle school's curriculum back in't day (1986-1990) - and I'm really showing my age there!
The BFG was never one of my firm Dahl favourites. I liked the crazy language the titular character (Big Friendly Giant) uses ("gobblefunk" is the official phrase), but I preferred my Dahl a bit darker and crueller, like The Twits or Matilda.
But even though I wasn't expecting much with this Spielberg directed big screen version, I was pleasantly entertained.
It's by no means a classic, missing out on the can't-go-to-sleep-until-I've-read-one-more-paragraph charm of Dahl's work, surprising considering the previous magic Spielberg has worked on film for children. It also takes its sweet time to get going, but the kid's will be enchanted and Rylance voicing the giant in delicious West Country tones and newcomer Barnhill as his precocious new friend make a great double act.
For more, read the full review: http://bit.ly/29ZkN5U
Cast & credits
Producers: Frank Marshall, Sam Mercer, Steven Spielberg.
Writer: Melissa Mathison.
Camera: Janusz Kaminski.
Music: John Williams.
Sets: Rick Carter, Robert Stromberg.
Mark Rylance, Ruby Barnhill, Penelope Wilton, Jermaine Clement, Rebecca Hall, Rafe Spall, Bill Hader, Ólafur Darri Ólafsson, Adam Godley.
