1. docfeelgood

   9

   Just came from seeing this with my kids. Was not too violent. Kids had a total blast and so did I. Total fun! An Oscar winner for best picture? Never, but who cares! This was totally enjoyable.… Expand

   • Helpful? 4 of 5 users said Yes.
2. blakewilson

   8

   If you were to combine The Lord of the Rings' story with Robin Hood's personality and The Chronicles of Narnia's fantastical whimsy, you'd get Jack the Giant Slayer. With thrills, spills, and chills, Jack is a good adventure film that successfully modernizes its' fairy tale basis while lovingly nodding towards the classic tale.
   
   Great visuals and acting by the cast, with the stand-out being Ewan McGregor, who brings an Errol Flynn-like personality to Elmont. There's a few good messages also on embracing responsibility, bravery, and self-sacrifice. As far as a family movie night is concerned, Jack the Giant Slayer is a very mild PG-13, but I wouldn't recommend it for children under age 10. For while there is no on-screen blood or gore (the head-chomping is off-screen and the effects are seen from a distance), it still could spark a nightmare or two for younger ones. There's also a bit of mild language and giants are seen having gross habits.
   
   For a more detailed review, visit www.moviestakenseriously.blogspot.com… Expand

   • Helpful? 1 of 1 users said Yes.
3. Mab_987

   7

   I admit I didn't expect much going into this, given the mixed reception. But I actually left very entertained. The story is loosely based on the old tale of Jack and the Beanstalk and while it for the most part stays true to it, it doesn't feel like some lazy copy from fairy tale book to movie script. But at the same time it didn't feel like a pathetic try-hard attempt to make a fairy tale "edgy" a la Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters. It hits a nice middle ground that's able to work well on its own merits. In other words the story isn't a rehashing or butchering but rather a reimagining. The characters, while not particularly unique or original, do work in the roles they're given. Even if the whole lower-class-guy-meets-upper-class-girl thing is kinda done-to-death, especially when the latter is royalty, and you know very well how the story's gonna end in that department. Also I like the idea of there being practically a whole other world within the beanstalk, rather than just an hour of climbing, which I feared the movie would be at first. It makes for a lot of great visuals and action scenes. Speaking of which, the fight scenes are very well-written/performed. Some notable ones (no spoilers) are the one with the giant chef and the one between Jack and Roderick in the stream. The giants, aka the "villains", have a nice design to them. And while I wouldn't say the CGI was amazing for them (especially in the close-ups) it worked well enough. Though they were clearly the most "cartoony" part of the film. One other thing I appreciate is how just when you think there's a cheap linear storybook ending about 3/4 in, it (somewhat realistically) continues in a way that would otherwise leave a massive plothole. And I think it pays off quite nicely, with the final battle making for a great scene that really hooks you in, ending on a creative and kinda funny note, depending on your sense of humor. Overall Jack the Giant Slayer exceeded my expectations and was very entertaining, albeit with a fairly predictable storyline and main character arch. It's not a tear-jerker or a laugh riot but more of just a fun adventure. I'd give it a 77/100. It probably won't end up my favorite movie of 2013 but it is for now.… Collapse

   • Helpful? 1 of 1 users said Yes.
4. hoops2448

   4

   Yet another fairy tale re imagining that sounded interesting but upon execution left much to be desired but oddly enough not in the ways you would expect. When Jack (Nicholas Hoult) is given some magic beans by a monk he thinks hes been swindled but then the resulting beanstalk causes his house to ascend into another realm along with a princess he must travel up to rescue her and prevent the giants from coming down. As a film its a puzzle because it seems like the film's climax seems to be in the wrong place with the 3rd act disappointing the first two. Bryan Singer loves telling stories about outcast heroes and Jack is a gripping protagonist as he is someone you genuinely like, hes a charming, naive oddball of a hero. On his adventures he is joined by Elmont (Ewan McGregor), a knight sent to rescue Princess Isabelle (Eleanor Tomlinson) and it is clear that McGregor relishes his character's comedy. The films best quality is its ever mutating tone while managing to stay interesting and family friendly. The film is stuffed full of comedy to provide levity to a story that is filled with dark elements. The giants are dark and twisted but they are also entertaining in their large bumbling way. While the comedy tone makes for a fun watch, the movie lacks depth or any kind of real emotion or heart and when the film shifts in the 3rd act to allow for a stereotypical finale it loses its unique character. It's one of the few films that has an epic final battle and it isn't really as good as the conclusion at the end of the 2nd act. The visuals are outstanding with the land the giants inhabit being both beautiful and menacing. The giants themselves look gruesome but with individual personas to entertain, the chef giant is a particular highlight. Overall its an inventive and funny film but never really grips you to your seat in the way an epic should and the final act disappoints both in terms of gravity and tension making for another flat ending.… Expand

   • Helpful? 0 of 0 users said Yes.

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