The latest in high-fantasy action retellings of folk fairytales, Jack the Giant Slayer thankfully kicks away any notion of maturity in favour of a big ole’ romp with giants. Notable franchise star Nicholas Hoult (X-Men: First Class, Warm Bodies) stars as farm boy Jack, who’s unwitting plantation of magical beans bridges the chasm between the ancient kingdom ruled by Ian McShane and the murderous realm of giants. Once the fair princess is captured by the monsters, it’s up to good sir knight Ewan McGregor, Jack and a deliciously dastardly Stanley Tucci to rescue her. Director Bryan Singer wisely eschews the “adult” re-imagining trap that clogged down similar films like Snow White & the Huntsman. Instead, Jack the Giant Slayer emboldens a fairy tale’s natural elements; grand conflict confronted by simple characters with wide-eyed amazement. It’s more The Princess Bride than Lord of the Rings, which is all for the best.
This article appears in Feb 28 – Mar 6, 2013.
