The BFG (2016)

Genre

Adventure | Fantasy

Director

Steven Spielberg

Country

USA

Cast

Mark Rylance, Ruby Barnhill, Penelope Wilton, Jemaine Clement, Rebecca Hall, Rafe Spall, Bill Hader, Michael Adamthwaite, Daniel BAcon, Chris Gibbs, Adam Godley, Paul Moniz, Jonathan Holmes, Olafur Darri Olafsson, Marilyn Norry, Chris Shields, Matt Frewer, Geoffrey Wade

Storyline

A girl named Sophie (Ruby Barnhill) encounters the Big Friendly Giant (Mark Rylance) who, despite his intimidating appearance, turns out to be a kind-hearted soul who is considered an outcast by the other giants because, unlike them, he refuses to eat children.

Opinion

Roald Dahl's "The BFG" is just another of those books I didn't read as a kid, still I was very interested in seeing this film because of Steven Spielberg and Mark Rylance. However, because of the reviews I've read, I didn't have great expectations so it really surprised me.

Although it is nothing like the typical Spielberg's movie, "The BFG" is a quite charming and engaging family film.

According to many of the reviews I read the problem with this film is the plot. There is none. Well, actually there's one, but it's very simple, not so exciting and it is pretty flawed. Also, two hours are a lot of time to tell that little story. But frankly I didn't care (I would have loved seeing stronger villains though).

"The BFG" is not one of those movies you watch for the plot, but one of those you just watch to escape from our world, and as such it works just fine. I'd say it's a magical film from dreamers, and if you are one of those, you're going to enjoy it. 

And it's all about the interactions between Sophie, a 10-year-old orphan, and her unlikely friend, the Big Friendly Giant, that make the film quite funny as well - some of the jokes are very childish though. Also the chemistry between Ruby Barnhill and Mark Rylance is quite good.  

The CGI could have been better. Occasionally stunning and with some shots that seem very real, sometimes is unfortunately mediocre, just like when the Big Friendly Giant carries Sophie in his palm.