Film Review: The BFG

"Yes, two adult tickets for The BFG, please."

Interesting sentence, both in of itself and one to start a film review with. But there is a point, I promise.

Little while ago I reviewed a recent Disney film and marvelled (kind of) at Pixar and Disney's skills in combining kid and adult friendly gags into the one plot coherent film.

But there is another way of this, making a simple film wonderful for all ages, without all the drama of balancing out the jokes for two different age groups and simply putting an one size fits all.

Generally helps when the source material is written by Roald Dahl or Dr Seuss (Theodore Geisel), as their storytelling has been entertaining the world over since it was published.

Roald Dahl, who wrote the book The BFG, had given the beautiful story a touch of the whimsy and the magical. A sense of anything might happen.
So it makes sense for the director and the screenwriter of this film adaptation to be the same team up who brought the film ET to life, Steven Spielberg and Melissa Mathison, respectively.

Taken from someone who has heard the original story many times, they have done a brilliant job, all round, on every aspect. The level of detail is breathtaking and definitely rewarding, in not just the story itself, but in the design in production, sets and the giants themselves. The special effects are beautifully done, and help in making the story what it is.

The casting is perfect too, Mark Rylance especially, could not have picked anyone better. Ruby Barnhill as Sophie is a delight. Also part of this wonder, Jermaine Clement, Penelope Wilton, Rebecca Hall, Bill Hader and Rafe Spall.

And naturally, to complete the magic, John Williams brings his considerable talent to the score.

Comments

  1. This quote comes from another whimsical film adaptation, this time from the words of Lewis Carroll.

    “Cheshire Cat: All this talk of blood and slaying has put me off my tea.
    The Mad Hatter: Well. The entire world is falling to ruins and poor Cheshire's off his tea.”

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