Thursday 28 February 2013

Jack The Giant Slayer (2013) Review by Shivom Oza – Mood Slayer!

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

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