The BFG (2016)

            Whenever people hear the term “family film,” what director usually comes to people’s minds? To me, it’s Steven Spielberg. The man who revolutionized the term “blockbuster,” and one of the many directors from the “New Hollywood” generation. While most of his work nowadays has been stuff that attributes to the academy crowd, there was a time in the late 70’s to early 90’s where his name attached would be something magical. Films like “E.T,” “Close Encounters,” “Hook,” and “Jurassic Park,” films that were full of so much imagination and wonder that just about anyone of any age could be in awe of. As far as I can recall, there hasn’t been too many attempts at rekindling that magic that people associate him with. Today, we’ll be taking a look at his newest film that might change that, in the form of “The BFG.”

            Based on the children’s book by Roald Dahl, the author of “Matilda” and “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” the film tells the story of a little girl, named Sophie, who is taken away to Giant Country, after spotting one in the middle of the night. The Big Friendly Giant is the smallest of the pack, and doesn’t carry the other traits that the giants are known for, such as stealing and eating humans. That’s all I can talk about in terms of plot.

            So, did I like this film? Yeah, I thought it was good. Is it on the same level as say “E.T.” or “Jurassic Park?” No, not really. But before we get into that, let’s talk about what was good about the film.

            For starters, the production value on this film is absolutely wonderful. The way you look at London (in what I’m assuming is the mid 1980’s), and the scenery of Giant Country really brings Roald Dahl’s book to life in such a detailed manner. Even with parts that look CGI, it still is impressive to look at, and is some of the best in a while. Not to mention, those scenes involving the dream catching or the mixtures, the motion capture imagery on the giants, it almost looks real. It’s nice to know that CGI can still be used very damn well if put in the right hands. This is easily one of the best looking films Spielberg has done in years.

            The performances were also very delightful. Mark Rylance and Ruby Barnhill have some incredibly good chemistry as the BFG and Sophie. The way they banter back and forth, whether it’s about the BFG’s speech patterns, how each views their worlds, and how they get along with one another as the film progresses is quite enjoyable. Seeing these two work off of each other is easily the best part about the movie.

            Now, what about the film did I not like? Well, when you watch the film, the BFG is the only one of the giants that actually has character to him. The rest of the giants are pretty much the same hulking buffoons, with the only stand-out being Jemaine Clement as the leader. I also didn’t seem that amused with the fart jokes that the film had, mostly involving the BFG’s drink. Granted, there were only two scenes that had it, but it does tend to stop the movie in its place, before we can actually move on. That, and my biggest problem with the film is with the second half. Don’t get me wrong, I didn’t hate it…I just felt that it lacked tension. It didn’t seem like that the obstacles that Sophie and the BFG had to face, and any that passed off as conflict were dealt with easily. Sure, there was the moment of the BFG exposing himself to the public, but it’s handled pretty quickly. Same with the climax. There’s a moment of conflict, but it’s handled like it was nothing, and everything goes as planned. Again, no tension.

            I know a lot of people will say that it was like that or similar to what they did in the book, to which I have to say I wasn’t too into the book as a kid, but let me reinstate my argument from the “Warcraft” movie: when you’re adapting something into a movie, you have to find a proper balance that satisfies both the viewers who know the source material and those who go in as a movie on its own. Granted, “The BFG” is a better movie than “Warcraft,” but that’s beside the point. I just felt like I needed a better balance.

            Overall, is “The BFG” worth seeing in theaters? Yeah, I’d say so. Despite the gripes that I had with the film, I do think it is worth recommending. The look of the film is very imaginative, there are some really funny bits, and the performances by Mark Rylance and Ruby Barnhill alone are outstanding. I could definitely see kids today enjoying the heck out of this film, possibly having fond nostalgic memories about it in their older years, and that’s fine by me. It may not have been as good as I was expecting it to be, but with what I got, I was still satisfied. Give it a watch and see what you think.

Rating: 7/10