Jack The Giant Slayer

Something giant is about to happen

Jack the Giant Slayer is an exciting adaptation of the classic fairy tale. It is a mix of action, adventure and the interesting characters that grace the screen.

The film has taken the original tale of Jack and the Beanstalk and enhanced it in order to create a film that has more action (and giants). The story itself is good, as it flows relatively well, with a few bumps and almost-hits it generally dwindles throughout the whole viewing until the intense third act that enhances the whole film to a glorious level of excitement and adventure. One problem that this tale does feature, is that it seems as though the makers of the film could not decide as to whether it should be a film for children, with quirky jokes and elements of fun in the adventure...or a film for more grown-up viewing, with gritty characters and grotesque battle scenes.

The casting for this film was done brilliantly. Nicholas Hoult thrives as the curious and nervous, yet courageous Jack. Ewan McGregor is delightful and intriguing as the brave, smart guard; Elmont. Eleanor Tomlinson plays Princess Isabelle, a main and pivotal character to the whole tale, yet as she did not perform to the high standard of the other actors, she gets lost in the different levels of the film. Other characters, although minor, still make an impact to the overall film, each being played (or voiced) wonderfully from actors such as Ian McShane, Bill Nighy, Stanley Tucci and Eddie Marsan.

The CGI effects of the film are good, yet not as powerful as some visuals that we can see in other films that have been released recently. The effects of the giants themselves are exquisite, everything from their facial expressions to the scenes of them bounding across fields are astounding. Yet other scenes, including the actual growth of the beanstalk, are yet to be desired in the terms of magical CGI effects.

Overall, I feel that despite the good and bad points that I have noted, the film should have been either a PG; with childish jokes and fun charm, or a 15; with a darker look at the brutality of the giants wanting to be rid of all mankind. If it had been done in either way, it would have been more effective and powerful as it would not be constantly undecided and constantly changing throughout the film.