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A girl named Sophie encounters the Big Friendly Giant who, despite his intimidating appearance, turns out to be a kindhearted soul who is considered an outcast by the other giants because, unlike them, he refuses to eat children.
Leave it to Steven Spielberg to bring us a new fresh and exciting story with beautiful animation visuals to capture our attention. We shouldn’t be surprised though. Throughout his life, he’s always brought a new idea to the screen. He’s never been afraid to take a risk and telling a great story and even though we were skeptical, he still managed to amaze us and keep our attention throughout the entire movie.
Spielberg has worked with several companies but his collaboration with Disney on “The BFG”is a first. The story however, is from the mind and imagination of Roald Dahl, and author of several successful children stories.
The stories from the mind of Roald Dahl will always and forever be very unique and different stories. “The BFG” is just that. It’s an adventurous fairytale with plot twists and unexpected friendships, breathtaking visuals and exciting new worlds which not only beckon the main character, but the audience, as well. John Williams strikes gold again with a soundtrack that is scented with the same whimsical vibes present in “Hook.”
“The BFG” remains “classic” in that its sole purpose is to tell a good, captivating story and does not rely on a fast-paced story structure like many modern children’s movies of today. Looking at “The Adventures of Tintin,” Spielberg’s last animated project, the pacing of the stories are worlds different, although the animation is equally as brilliant. Tintin is a ship-rocking, fast-paced jazz orchestra, bouncing off the walls and skipping off roof tops, while BFG is a soft, emotional orchestra, gliding smoothly and quietly across the moonlit lake without a care in the world.
That being said, this is not a buckle-up for the road type of movie. This is a relaxing experience that will delight, entertain, and in one particular sequence, make you laugh so hard that you won’t be able to gasp for breath! It emphasizes the power of courage, the importance of friendship and experiencing new worlds that in turn, change our own.
It stands tall and unique as a film in a category of its own and deserves to be appreciated and enjoyed as such. It doesn’t take much to stand out, either. How many movies have been made about the relationship between an orphan girl and a giant? And that only scratches the surface.
So even though the movie isn’t fast-paced, it most definitely is not boring or dull. The storytellers will keep your attention throughout and I admire their approach. Dahl and Spielberg told the story through the eyes of Sophie, a young child with open eyes and a receiving heart. Through her innocence, her excitement for life and for helping others, we experience the story through the child’s point of view, and no matter what, that’s always a refreshing perspective.
“The BFG” is a different story, and a different movie. It won’t be like anything you’ve ever seen or experienced before, which is true of the main character, too. So step into the big, burly hands of the gentle giant, and let him take you on a trip of a lifetime.
In theaters Friday, July 1st
