Fee Fye Foe Fumm

(photo from http://jackthegiantslayer.warnerbros.com/gallery.php)

I am putting on my Movie Review Hat again today.  No, I have no special credentials qualifying me to do movie reviews. But, I do see movies sometimes. Maybe that is all you need to qualify for this job.

Last night Mike and I went to see Jack the Giant Slayer. It is the "real" story behind Jack and the Beanstalk. Does that sound like a dumb idea for a movie? I don't think it is doing that well nationwide, maybe because people pre-judge it. I don't know but I thought it was an excellent movie! I gave it a 4.5 out of 5. I judge movies, not against each other, but against what I presumed they meant to be. I presume this movie meant to be adventuresome, with some sweet romance stirred in. Like all fairy tales, it is meant to have really, really bad guys and really, really good guys. It does just that. I don't really even have a reason for holding back that .5 as I can't think of how I would want this movie to improve.  I just don't give out perfect scores I guess. 

One thing I have to tell you about Jack the Giant Slayer is that it is a magnificent piece of cinematography! I'm not kidding! The giants were very detailed and believable. The scenery was stunning! The action was astonishing! In this day and age of digital photography and all that entails, it must be hard to do anything new with cinematography. I think this movie incorporated the work of some very talented artists to get the effects they managed. They managed to give the feel of dirty, dark giant abodes to magnificent royal palace scenes. Most of the movie takes place outdoors, though, and it is so, so beautiful! You have to see it to know what I mean. I think you will be impressed!

And the characters... this movie is packed full of them! There are good guys and bad guys and subdivisions among them. Do you know what I mean? For example, obviously the giants are the bad guys. Even among the giants, though, you get to see some character development. They are all gross but some are more so than others. I have to say, seeing a giant pick his nose and eat it while preparing his meal (pigs-in-a-blanket as well as human-in-a-blanket) was almost more than I could handle!

The princess was, of course, beautiful and kind. That is exactly how a fairy tale princess must be, you know. The main hero is, naturally, Jack. You'll like him. He has his weaknesses but of course finds courage from deep within, born of his love for the princess. There are other good guys in this piece as well. Some are very brave, putting the needs of others above their own. Some are quirky and funny. I like funny the best!

This is NOT a movie for little kids. I was horrified as we left to see that a couple brought their preschoolers. It is too realistic and scary in a lot of places. It's not really grown-up scary...well, maybe it is. I did cringe a lot and hide my eyes quite a few times. You know what I mean, though, it isn't real-life kind of scary. With little kids, though, real-life is all too close to make-believe-life and the lines get blurred. It could definitely be nightmare-inducing. Just don't risk it with the little children.

Excluding little impressionable children, though, this movie is one that can entertain a wide variety of folks. Old children and teenagers would likely enjoy it... although the teens may have to hide their enjoyment as it may not be considered cool to like a fairy tale movie. I think a lot of men would like it for its grittiness and action. They'd likely enjoy the funnier moments as well. Deep down they will like the romance but like the teens, they'd have to hide that enjoyment.  Sometimes it is hard to find a movie that a couple will enjoy but this one fits that calling. It has a little something for everyone. So, if you are looking for a bit of entertainment, something that turns out well in the end, give this movie a chance. I really don't think you will regret it.

Click right here to see a trailer.