The second fairytale film adaptation I’ve seen this year, Jack the Giant Slayer is certainly better than Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters…though not by very much. The film begins with two children from very different backgrounds being read a bedtime story by their parents – one is a Princess (Isabelle played by Eleanor Tomlinson) and the other is a farm-boy (Jack played by Nicholas Hoult). The story in question is a myth that has been passed down from generation to generation about a land above the clouds populated by a race of bloodthirsty giants. Fast forward to years later, as the paths of these two young people meet on the same day that Jack becomes the possessor of some magic beans. Isabelle and Jack soon find themselves up a magical beanstalk in the mythical land of the giants.
The film has a promising start, as we are introduced to a great cast (including Ian McShane, Ewan McGregor and Eddie Marsan) playing a host of interesting characters. The fairytale land is very nicely realised, calling to mind a live action version of the kingdom of Duloc from Shrek (the homage goes so far as to crib a joke directly from Shrek about the diminutive stature of the King). Unfortunately, the film quickly loses its way, as director Bryan Singer begins to focus on empty spectacle at the expense of story. The final battle between giant and human may be impressive technically but without any real sense of jeopardy or emotional investment, it ultimately falls flat.
What particularly irked me was the cavalier attitude the film has towards its impressive cast – several of whom are unceremoniously offed before the film is even halfway through. The case of Stanley Tucci is particularly frustrating – quickly established as the villain of the piece, Tucci is delightfully fiendish as Roderick. His absence from the climax of the film is keenly felt as the giants themselves aren’t exactly compelling characters.
All in all, Jack the Giant Slayer is an unremarkable adventure that doesn’t make the most of its great cast. A deeply impersonal outing from the usually reliable and intelligent director Bryan Singer.