While we've had a number of Steven Spielberg movies over the last few years, we haven't had a real Steven Spielberg style movie in quite some time. You Spielberg purists will know exactly what I mean. Thankfully that drought has started to subside a bit now with the director's take on Roald Dahl's The BFG.
Here, one of cinemas most iconic directors, delivers a movie bursting with heart and charm. In a way only Spielberg can really deliver. For those unfamiliar with the book, 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 he much prefers to eat disgusting looking vegetables, instead of children. Together, they embark on a pretty insane journey that is full of thrills, spills and some wonderful humour.
Visually, The BFG is nothing short of incredible. The giants themselves are worth the price of admission alone. Full of personality and bursting with some incredible flourishes, ILM (along with WETA Digital) have really raised the bar here, combining stunning motion capture and stunning animation. In fact the CG characters are so convincing that after a few minutes you'll really believe in Giants. The emotion that is conveyed through the eyes and facial ticks of The BFG are phenomenal, which are all the work of Mark Rylance. Spielberg himself thinks it’s the most ambitious motion capture of a character that any film has ever done.
Ruby Barnhill does some pretty impressive work, especially considering she was acting against green screen and blokes in funky looking motion capture suits. No mean feat for an adult, let alone someone who has just hit their early teens. And then you realise she carries the entire movie on her shoulders. The supporting cast sound like they had alot of fun mo-capping this and Mark Rylance in particular is incredible.
However, the story on occasion seems to drag it's feet and feels a little lethargic in places, it's a small gripe. The BFG really has a giant heart which it wears well and truly on its sleeve. While Steven Spielberg has certainly matured as a film maker over the years (we'll probably never see him do something like Jaws, ET or Jurassic Park again) his take on the much loved Roald Dahl book is one of the most touching and heart warming movie experiences you'll see this year. Wonderful!
Here, one of cinemas most iconic directors, delivers a movie bursting with heart and charm. In a way only Spielberg can really deliver. For those unfamiliar with the book, 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 he much prefers to eat disgusting looking vegetables, instead of children. Together, they embark on a pretty insane journey that is full of thrills, spills and some wonderful humour.
Visually, The BFG is nothing short of incredible. The giants themselves are worth the price of admission alone. Full of personality and bursting with some incredible flourishes, ILM (along with WETA Digital) have really raised the bar here, combining stunning motion capture and stunning animation. In fact the CG characters are so convincing that after a few minutes you'll really believe in Giants. The emotion that is conveyed through the eyes and facial ticks of The BFG are phenomenal, which are all the work of Mark Rylance. Spielberg himself thinks it’s the most ambitious motion capture of a character that any film has ever done.
Ruby Barnhill does some pretty impressive work, especially considering she was acting against green screen and blokes in funky looking motion capture suits. No mean feat for an adult, let alone someone who has just hit their early teens. And then you realise she carries the entire movie on her shoulders. The supporting cast sound like they had alot of fun mo-capping this and Mark Rylance in particular is incredible.
However, the story on occasion seems to drag it's feet and feels a little lethargic in places, it's a small gripe. The BFG really has a giant heart which it wears well and truly on its sleeve. While Steven Spielberg has certainly matured as a film maker over the years (we'll probably never see him do something like Jaws, ET or Jurassic Park again) his take on the much loved Roald Dahl book is one of the most touching and heart warming movie experiences you'll see this year. Wonderful!
