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| The BFG (2016) |
The BFG (2016)
A girl named Sophie encounters the Big Friendly Giant 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.
Director: Steven Spielberg
Writers: Melissa Mathison (screenplay), Roald Dahl (based on the book by)
Stars: Mark Rylance, Ruby Barnhill, Penelope Wilton
Cast
Cast overview, first billed only:
Mark Rylance Mark Rylance ...
BFG
Ruby Barnhill Ruby Barnhill ...
Sophie
Penelope Wilton Penelope Wilton ...
The Queen
Jemaine Clement Jemaine Clement ...
Fleshlumpeater
Rebecca Hall Rebecca Hall ...
Mary
Rafe Spall Rafe Spall ...
Mr. Tibbs
Bill Hader Bill Hader ...
Bloodbottler
Storyline
Ten-year-old Sophie is in for the adventure of a lifetime when she meets the Big Friendly Giant. Naturally scared at first, the young girl soon realizes that the 24-foot behemoth is actually quite gentle and charming. As their friendship grows, Sophie's presence attracts the unwanted attention of Bloodbottler, Fleshlumpeater and other giants. After traveling to London, Sophie and the BFG must convince Queen Victoria to help them get rid of all the bad giants once and for all. Written by Jwelch5742
Details
Official Sites: Official Facebook | Official Roald Dahl Website | »
Country: UK | Canada | USA
Language: English
Release Date: 1 July 2016 (USA) See more »
Also Known As: Big Valley See more »
Filming Locations: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada »
User Reviews
A Flimsy, Effect-Reliant Effort Which Lacks the Magic of Dahl's Book and Spielberg's Preceding Films
5 July 2016 | by Sean Lamberger (Bradenton, FL)
Steven Spielberg's doggedly loyal adaptation of a Roald Dahl classic, sadly, doesn't have much oomph. It's the narrow tale of an orphaned girl, abducted and (eventually) befriended by a steep, thin, heart-of-gold giant, who goes on to discover they have an awful lot in common. Originally a short story that was later expanded into a full novel, I can't remember the book feeling nearly as thin and stretched as the film does. It's got a nice message, some vague warm-fuzzies, a fair piece of physical acting (unsurprisingly, given the cast's stage credentials), but the central relationship is missing some intangibles and the looming threat never actually seems all that important. Spielberg and company took the sugar-coated route, skipping much of the menace that might have earned the film a stiffer rating, and along the way they slashed out its teeth. The dreamy, surreal CG is problematic, too. Often the fairy tale renderings seem more sharp and textured than the live actors, as if they're occupying two different realities in the same space, and that took me out of the scenery on several occasions. Mildly entertaining, but too effects-reliant for its own good. The journey is about so much more than the shape and color of the paths we've walked.
A girl named Sophie encounters the Big Friendly Giant 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.
Director: Steven Spielberg
Writers: Melissa Mathison (screenplay), Roald Dahl (based on the book by)
Stars: Mark Rylance, Ruby Barnhill, Penelope Wilton
Cast
Cast overview, first billed only:
Mark Rylance Mark Rylance ...
BFG
Ruby Barnhill Ruby Barnhill ...
Sophie
Penelope Wilton Penelope Wilton ...
The Queen
Jemaine Clement Jemaine Clement ...
Fleshlumpeater
Rebecca Hall Rebecca Hall ...
Mary
Rafe Spall Rafe Spall ...
Mr. Tibbs
Bill Hader Bill Hader ...
Bloodbottler
Storyline
Ten-year-old Sophie is in for the adventure of a lifetime when she meets the Big Friendly Giant. Naturally scared at first, the young girl soon realizes that the 24-foot behemoth is actually quite gentle and charming. As their friendship grows, Sophie's presence attracts the unwanted attention of Bloodbottler, Fleshlumpeater and other giants. After traveling to London, Sophie and the BFG must convince Queen Victoria to help them get rid of all the bad giants once and for all. Written by Jwelch5742
Details
Official Sites: Official Facebook | Official Roald Dahl Website | »
Country: UK | Canada | USA
Language: English
Release Date: 1 July 2016 (USA) See more »
Also Known As: Big Valley See more »
Filming Locations: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada »
User Reviews
A Flimsy, Effect-Reliant Effort Which Lacks the Magic of Dahl's Book and Spielberg's Preceding Films
5 July 2016 | by Sean Lamberger (Bradenton, FL)
Steven Spielberg's doggedly loyal adaptation of a Roald Dahl classic, sadly, doesn't have much oomph. It's the narrow tale of an orphaned girl, abducted and (eventually) befriended by a steep, thin, heart-of-gold giant, who goes on to discover they have an awful lot in common. Originally a short story that was later expanded into a full novel, I can't remember the book feeling nearly as thin and stretched as the film does. It's got a nice message, some vague warm-fuzzies, a fair piece of physical acting (unsurprisingly, given the cast's stage credentials), but the central relationship is missing some intangibles and the looming threat never actually seems all that important. Spielberg and company took the sugar-coated route, skipping much of the menace that might have earned the film a stiffer rating, and along the way they slashed out its teeth. The dreamy, surreal CG is problematic, too. Often the fairy tale renderings seem more sharp and textured than the live actors, as if they're occupying two different realities in the same space, and that took me out of the scenery on several occasions. Mildly entertaining, but too effects-reliant for its own good. The journey is about so much more than the shape and color of the paths we've walked.
