Jack the Giant Slayer
Starring: Nicholas Hoult, Eleanor Tomlinson, Ewan McGregor, Stanley Tucci,
Directed By: Brian Singer
Reviewed by Danielle Muir

[rating: 3/5]

I could make a comment about how original ideas seem few and far between these days but at least this one’s trying to create something exciting for the kids.  Jack and the Beanstalk is a staple fairytale fed to all wide-eyed imaginative children – ingrained in their memories, lying subdued until a re-imagining such as this brings nostalgia back to the surface.  But does this new film service the new generation of kiddies that it appears to be aiming for?  Jack the Giant Slayer is an entertaining retelling catering for kids and tweens needs (ageing Jack up with heartthrob Nicholas Hoult) – however a handful of graphic deaths (perhaps not to forget the elder audience) seem to impinge on the chances it has of parents being worry-free.

Jack the Giant Slayer has all the elements of a film full of wonderment – a beautiful, vibrant world of colour, actors hamming it up in their characters, a likeable protagonist, an innocent love story and an intriguing motive behind the ‘villains’ – the giants.  Because they’re trying to appeal to the younger market, elder audiences may find that the events that transpire are a presented in a slightly inoffensive and beige manner, but there’s still enough there to maintain the interest.  There’s been a couple of changes to the original fairy tale – instead of being a child, Jack is on the cusp of adulthood (can’t really have a decent love story or an attractive lead if it’s a kid, right?) and living as a simple farm boy with his bitter uncle.  Selling his horse to a monk on the run in exchange for some magic beans, he arrives home to his enraged uncle who storms out.  Simultaneously, the oppressed Princess of Cloister Isabelle has hightailed it from the castle, and being pelted by rain seeks shelter in Jack’s cottage.  Everything’s going swell until the bean that accidentally slipped through the floorboards gets a little moist…

This film is full of good-old-fashioned adventure – and everything takes its time to properly unfold instead of rushing to the flashy parts.  We’ve got enough time to be acquainted with our characters and really enjoy that the actors are having great fun.  Hoult as Jack fits the bill physically, and certainly has enough charisma to carry the film, however comes off a little too try-hard awkward in parts.  Together with the immaculate Elmont (MacGregor having the time of his life) they make a likeable team of do-gooders off to save the Princess whose now trapped at the top of the stalk.  The giants make for interesting villains, as it’s their previous oppression by humankind that makes them so hungry for revenge.  And when the diabolical Stanley Tucci gets his hand on one very special crown – it makes you question the nature of who is in the right – up top or down below?  It’s always nice to be given more food for thought.

The visual effects are great, the giants are very imposing and obviously an eyesore (otherwise we may – gasp – sympathise for them) and there’s a great battle scene at the end that completes this rollicking adventure.  However, as mentioned before, I was confused by the small number of overly violent deaths that seem jarringly adult compared to the rest of the film – i.e. one giant is set alight in burning tar.  Not really children’s fare.

Jack the Giant Slayer is a great adventure meant for the younger audiences, however there’s fun and frivolity to be had for all ages – just don’t take it too seriously and go along for the ride.