Directed by : Steven Spielberg
Written by : Melissa Mathison
Starring : Ruby Barnhill, Mark Rylance, Jemaine Clement
Release Date : June 30, 2016
First, a full disclosure about my knowledge of "The BFG." I never read the original 1982 book written by Roald Dahl, nor have I seen the 1989 animated movie that adapted it. In all honesty, besides the fact this is directed by Steven Spielberg, I didn't really have any true interest in what appears to just be a silly fantasy children story. To my pleasant surprise, I found this movie charming enough to like. Considering the premise, there isn't even much in the way of scariness, and it all feels a little too innocent, with a tone that is definitely on the whimsical fantasy variety. Basically, it's safe enough for kids to see.
The movie focuses mostly on two characters. Sophie; as wonderfully played by Ruby Burnhill, is the precocious young girl, who acts as our audience surrogate for the plot. BFG; as he is called by Sophie, is the big friendly giant that took her from an orphanage and brought her to giant country. Mark Rylance does a stand out phenomenal job as BFG, and his chemistry with Sophie is the true heart and appeal of the movie; despite the fact he did technically kidnap her. The story also plays with themes about loneliness, self-worth, as well as a commentary against bullying, which is covered by their common enemy in the bigger but meaner giants who love to eat people.
While there's definitely an interesting story that is told here, there isn't really much in the way of pure excitement and joy that wowed me. In terms of how it looks, the world of giant country may look great, but there's no fooling anybody that the gigantic characters are just CG creations, and that fact distracted my suspension of disbelief multiple times. Thankfully there are genuine moments in the movie that were spectacular to see and grabbed my attention. Like BFG's amazing ability to hide in plain sight, or this elaborate massive brunch that brings with it some nice levity.
In a cinematic world of epic franchise story telling, and over the top extravaganzas, "The BFG" may come off as being too simple, or not engaging enough for some people. While I did find several things to like about the movie, it just didn't capture my imagination like I would have liked it to. It might just be like a dream that I can just as easily forget about.
loveditenjoyedit IT'S OKAY itsmehitsterrible
