Review of Jack the Giant Slayer (2013) by Midlands M — 19 Oct 2013

Let's get this out of the way for starters - Bryan Singer needs to make better films than this. We need more X-Men and The Usual Suspects and less terrible movies like this one, Valkyrie (a complete misjudgement in my opinion) and the turgid Superman Returns.

In the vein of the similar Snow White and the Huntsman, this traditional folk fairy tale has been given a bit of Hollywood gloss combined with new CGI giants and a few "wacky" quips. Nicholas Hoult plays Jack whose magic beans create the humungous stalk before embarking on a climb to save the kidnapped princess.

Although the giants are great once they come to ground, and have more personality than The Hobbit's dwarves, their sky-home in the clouds suffers from Attack-of-the-Clones-itis (regular readers will know my hatred of that film) where humans are placed in entirely CGI landscapes and suddenly I am removed from the movie entirely.

Just stop it! One to enjoy with the family methinks and although the disgusting giants are a highlight, Singer should avoid these (rather expensive) flights of fantasy and get back to solid storytelling with a message.

6.5/10 Midlands Movies Mike.