Jack the Giant Slayer (2013)

If there is one surety in movies these days, it’s that Hollywood is determined to suck dry any and all fairy-tales until we've seen it all and, like any fad-thing, got bored and moved on. While it’s nice to see our old childhood fairy tales reincarnated for our adult eyes to enjoy, it’s a sad inevitability that what we once loved we will begin to hate. (Hollywood will never learn, will it?) Given this little tirade it would be fair to assume that I didn't enjoy the film, and while this is not the case, I would warn those who prize originality over anything else in a movie there going to spend money to see, that this may not be the film for you. I’ll dispense with my minor irritation though and get on with the rest of this review…

The film is pretty faithful to the original tale, with the added bonus (and Hollywood obligation) of a damsel-in-distress sub-plot which serves as the reason for the escapade into dangerous-giant-territory. Here Jack is played by the goofishly-charming Nicholas Hoult, who brings to life our fairy-tale fool with an ease reminiscent of his starring-turn in About a Boy. Of course the story has changed and the actor has grown, but the performance is just as grade-A and the awkwardness and wit we saw in that film can be seen in JTGS. Hoult manages to bring life to this character and his quiet heroism is an endearing aspect of this otherwise somewhat stiff and disappointing film.

What I disliked about this film I am not quite sure, the cast was stellar with starring turns from Ewan McGregor and Academy Award nominee Stanley Tucci, and the CGI with which our dastardly giants came to life was quite extraordinary, but something in this film fell flat. I think perhaps that can be attributed in part to the screenplay, which tried to be funny, but only in a very broad and cliched way. There’s only so much good acting and a visually-convincing set can do, in my opinion. 

The CGI and other special effects are a fantastic and enjoyable aspect of this otherwise lack-luster film. It will certainly have  its younger audience cowering behind the sofa. I mean just look at that guy. Yuck, huh?! 

The screenplay is the backbone of any good film, just think about your favourite lines from your favourite movies. Sure the actors said them in a certain way and a certain piece of music was playing as it was said, but it’s all down to the pen and the paper. The impression I get from this film is that the writers were so determined to create a swashbuckling-beast-of –mish-mashed-genres and fairy-tale legends that they were too broad with the entire thing. Tucci’s character, for example, is glaringly stereotypical as the buck-toothed villain with the skinny sidekick to boot. I know stereotype is an expected aspect of any fairy-tale legend, but here the writers had a fantastic opportunity to add something new and exciting to the legend, and failed to deliver. Perhaps they should have taken a note out of director Tommy Wirkola’s book and took our beloved Jack and the Beanstalk legend in a similar direction as Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters.

The film isn't entirely disappointing and I wouldn't write it off completely, especially if you’re looking for something which will appeal to a younger audience, however if you were hoping for an original take on this fairy-tale classic then look elsewhere. Not to say that I didn't chuckle in parts and root for our hero throughout, but I just wasn't convinced by the general tone and execution of the film.

All-in-all a fantastic set of actors, especially the eponymous hero played by ever-charming Hoult, but a somewhat disappointing production which failed to raise itself to epic heights (no pun intended).

To cut a long story short…
Would I recommend this? To a younger audience, I would. But the late teen and adult demographic will come away from this film with a feeling of indifference. 
A film ramblers star rating? 

That's it for now folks...