Jack the Giant Slayer
From: Warner Bros Pictures
Release Date: March 1, 2013
Category: Action/Adventure, Fantasy
Director: Bryan Singer
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
The beloved fairy tale Jack and the Beanstalk gets the big-screen treatment courtesy of director Bryan Singer and screenwriters Darren Lemke, Christopher McQuarrie, and Dan Studney in this fantasy adventure about a naïve farm boy who attempts to rescue a beautiful princess from a race of vengeful giants. When Jack inadvertently opens a passageway that allows giants to cross into our reality, the towering titans stake their claim on the world of humans. Should they succeed, Jack’s kingdom will be but the first of many to fall. Now, in order to save his people and rescue a noble princess, Jack must summon every ounce of bravery to drive out the invading giants.
Jack the Giant Slayer was a fun movie. You all know I like twists on traditional tales and although I don’t think I’ve ever featured “Jack and the Beanstalk” as one of my Thursday Tales, it’s a story most of us know. In this version, though, there are many giants and they are ready to attack when the beanstalk connects the two lands.
Jack is a good hero. He’s not overly muscled, he doesn’t have any magical weapons. He’s clever, as Jack should be, and determined, and, of course, in love with princess. The princess is not a traditional damsel in distress. Yes, she needs rescued, but she’s fairly useful and resourceful herself.
I can’t say it’s a “good” movie. The characters, for the most part, are shallow, and the plot straightforward. But it’s enjoyable and I especially liked how some comments or thoughts are echoed by different characters throughout the film. The good guys are good, the giants evil. Almost main characters get killed off with little fanfare. Of course it has a happy ending, and the bad guy gets his just punishment. It is a fairy tale after all. It’s a good family movie, at least for families whose kids are older. (It’s rated PG-13 for intense scenes of fantasy action violence, some frightening images and brief language.) There’s some violence but nothing overly-graphic, in my opinion, and I like the rather sweet, innocent romance. It’s one where we all left the theater smiling.
We did see this in 2D rather than 3D. First, it’s a little cheaper, and to be honest, I’m just sick of 3D.
Did you see it? What did you think?
3D sucks.
..will watch it on DVD 🙂
It sounds like fun!
I was umm’ing and ahh’ing about this film but I am thinking now I might check it out..I fee the same way about OZ it terms of it being entertaining!
I’m hoping Oz is still at our theater this weekend. It’s another I’d like to see.
I was surprised that I really enjoyed this one . . . but enjoy it I did! We also saw it in 2D (I’ve never been a big fan of 3D — makes me sick) a few weeks back, and I found it fun and engrossing. The effects were pretty cool, too.
3D gives my mom a headache, which is another reason we avoid it.
Good review Carol. I would recommend seeing it if you’re looking for a mindless action flick and you just want something to do for over an hour and a half.
And sometimes that’s just what I want. I actually prefer movies that don’t make me think too much.
A film I really want to see but alas will probably have to wait until its out on DVD. Not a fan of 3D, because of my ear condition it knocks me off balance, leaving me feeling sick and dizzy, I’m always worried that this type of film will concentrate more on the special effects than on telling a great story.
Yeah, it’s definitely heavier on effects than on “great story.” But I thought it was fun.
I will undoubtedly watch this – but probably on DVD. It looks like one of those movies that’s reliant more on effect than substance which is a bit of a shame. Hey hum.
Lynn 😀
Avatar 3D gave Jason a migraine. Now we can never go to another one! Don’t think I’d care too much for this one. We are watching Puss in Boots right now and a big part of the storyline was the beanstalk!