2/5
Stars
The fantasy-adventure film is based on the
'Jack the Giant Killer' and 'Jack and the Beanstalk' fairy tales.
Although the performances by the cast
members are up to the mark, the screenplay and the ghastly visual effects
terribly let the film down. The iconic fairy tale is not well replicated in the
film.
Jack (Nicholas Hoult) is a young farmer
living in the countryside. Jack has grown up on the legends about King Eric
destroying the Giants and keeping them at bay till his last breath. He is so
fascinated by this fairy-tale that he believes it to be true that Giants exist.
On a stormy night, when the young
adventurous princess Isabelle (Eleanor Tomlinson) lands at his doorstep, a
catastrophe occurs. Earlier in the day, Jack had traded his horse for a few
beans, and had been promised a handsome amount of money the next day. However,
during the barter deal, Jack was warned to not let the beans go anywhere near
the water.
But, coming back to the night, one of the
beans comes in contact with the rain water and suddenly, you have stalks
creeping out of the ground. The creepers elevate Jack’s house as well and
keeping growing higher until they are out of sight. Jack tries to rescue the
princess, who has been trapped inside the house, but he suffers a massive fall.
All the king’s men gather around Jack the next day to inquire about the
princess’ whereabouts.
Soon, Jack and a few of king’s trusted men
begin their quest to get the princess back to the kingdom. And then, on the top
of where the creepers end, the Giants surface!
The film highlights all the bad parts of
the legendary fairy-tale. Moreover, the parts which were good are kind of
squandered in the big-screen adaptation. After a point, you stop bothering
about Jack, Isabelle or the people who have to bear the brunt of the Giants’
fury. As for the giants, one word that strikes you looking at their appearance
and behaviour is ‘gross’! They don’t look scary at all! The writing and the
visual effects terribly let this film down. Bryan Singer doesn’t quite make the
cut with this film.
A promising premise turns out to become a
yawn-fest!
Shivom
Oza