Read Positive User Reviews for The BFG

8

Silverscreen91Jul 1, 2016

Roald Dahl is known for the wildly successful story of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and the equally successful (but less well known) Matilda, but the fact is that Dahl was vastly displeased with the version featuring Gene Wilder as WillyRoald Dahl is known for the wildly successful story of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and the equally successful (but less well known) Matilda, but the fact is that Dahl was vastly displeased with the version featuring Gene Wilder as Willy Wonka and not really happy with how Matilda turned out either. Well, I think it’s safe to say that he would not have nearly as much trouble with this surprisingly faithful adaptation to his other best seller, The BFG.

The BFG actually follows the story of the original novel very closely. There are a few additions that don’t do much to improve the story, but it does pad out the film without it causing any harm either. Most of the scenes and dialog in this movie are lifted directly from the book and transferred well onto the screen.

Speaking of being on the screen, all the characters are spot-on perfection in their looks. All the giants look great, the BFG looks great, Sophie looks great, they even managed to get the look of the Queen of England to be a good blend of Roald Dahl’s original drawing and the actual Queen Elizabeth. Sophie’s personality was altered a little bit to be more of a strong-willed protagonist, and the BFG himself is actually well acted in both voice and animation. The villains are kind of one dimensional, but the film is following the classic portrayal of Giants and they’re actually given plenty of screen time to even this out.

There are nitpicky things that could have been improved. The story dragged at several places and moved a little slow, but went too fast at the parts that I would have loved to see more. The CGI for the giants isn’t the best, and it’s most noticeable in the climax of the film, but it’s at least passable and it managed to capture the look and imagination that came from the original story. The humor is rather lacking, though to be fair a lot of the jokes are directly from the book. Last but not least, the 3D is woefully underutilized. Being in a world of Giants meant that the people behind the 3D and CGI work could have had a field day of making the world seem, well, gigantic to the eyes of the viewer. But save for a few key scenes, they went with very average cinematography and staging so the 3D was a total waste of money.

This movie is not a groundbreaking masterpiece, but it was never intended to be one. It was described as a whimsical adventure full of fantasy and wonder, displaying a world of imagination and heart that only the combined talents of Roald Dahl and Stephen Spielberg could have given us. And it delivers exactly that. It could have been a little better, but it could have been far, far worse. I can see this movie quickly becoming a cult classic right next to the original Chocolate Factory film and Matilda… Expand

2 of 4 users found this helpful22

All this user's reviews

10

EpicLadySpongeJul 1, 2016

It's already not the end of 2016, yet this (in my opinion) is the best film everyone could see of this year. The story was actually clever, like I didn't even knew it was based on the book named the same thing, especially if it's coming fromIt's already not the end of 2016, yet this (in my opinion) is the best film everyone could see of this year. The story was actually clever, like I didn't even knew it was based on the book named the same thing, especially if it's coming from Steven Spielberg, a great director and filmmaker. The characters are all lovable (especially all the dumb giants you're randomly seeing), the visual effects feels stereoscopic, but that's not all. It's surely Disney, but it feels like it could be distributed by any film studio other than Disney. The best part about this is that it was released on my birthday. You could say.It's already not the end of 2016, yet this (in my opinion) is the best film everyone could see of this year. The story was actually clever, like I didn't even knew it was based on the book named the same thing, especially if it's coming from Steven Spielberg, a great director and filmmaker. The characters are all lovable (especially all the dumb giants you're randomly seeing), the visual effects feels stereoscopic, but that's not all. It's surely Disney, but it feels like it could be distributed by any film studio other than Disney. The best part about this is that it was released on my birthday. You could say... best birthday gift ever, right? Don't listen to those scrubs who think movies like Warcraft and Hardcore Henry could make the front page. This is instantly going to make to the front page. It's only recommended to those with no fear of giants, otherwise good luck with this film... best birthday gift ever, right? Don't listen to those scrubs who think movies like Warcraft and Hardcore Henry could make the front page. This is instantly going to make to the front page. It's only recommended to those with no fear of giants, otherwise good luck with this film.… Expand

1 of 10 users found this helpful19

All this user's reviews

10

HealingToolboxApr 1, 2018

Watching it again, I'm struck with how much visual poetry there is. Sadly the failure of Cloud Atlas, Jupiter Rising and Valerian tells me the savvy Cultural Creative audience which supported art-ful movies in the 1980s-1990s, has notWatching it again, I'm struck with how much visual poetry there is. Sadly the failure of Cloud Atlas, Jupiter Rising and Valerian tells me the savvy Cultural Creative audience which supported art-ful movies in the 1980s-1990s, has not existed since about 2005 or 2010. Secondly I'm struck again at how BFG conveys a spiritual message--undoubtedly unintentionally. The Big Friendly Giant is about as good a metaphor as you are going to get thru a family-friendly movie about "God is my Partner." Indeed, it's a short step from "Big Friendly Giant" to "Big Friendly God." I don't accept this is frivolous speculation, a crucial scene is right before the final giant battle-capture, where Sophie and BFG acknowledge each other's individuality, each other's uniqueness and honor each other's choices. What more would you want from a Big Friendly God?… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

All this user's reviews

10

HealingToolbox1Aug 23, 2016

Wow, another gem perhaps too heartfelt and subtle in its pleasures for critics and audiences. I agree with the user reviewer suggesting this as the best movie if 2016 so far. What none of the critics here mention is this is a movie aboutWow, another gem perhaps too heartfelt and subtle in its pleasures for critics and audiences. I agree with the user reviewer suggesting this as the best movie if 2016 so far. What none of the critics here mention is this is a movie about honor, honoring the different in another, honoring your own ability to "stretch" beyond your previous comfort zone, honoring the new and unexpected in the world and in your self.

Now, if I pitched that to a studio, do you think the movie would be green-lit? Probably not. Still this I think are the highpoints of the film, entirely in keeping with what the critics did like about this.

Not a spiritual film in any sense, it still demonstrates many positive, uplifting values. that's why I give it a ten.

It's a techno miracle for sure, likely to win the oscar for SFX. However as Harvey Weinstein says, the best special effect is actors showing you human emotions in a way you can connect with. The two leads do this way beyond any other film this year so far.

I hear critics harping on plot points when teh real pleasures of this film are heartfelt human values, chief among them, valuing and honoring another being.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

All this user's reviews

7

WheelzFourReelzJul 5, 2016

It's not one of Spielberg's best, but The BFG is a charming and whimsical tale with great performances, gorgeous visuals, and likeable characters. It makes me sad that this is bombing at the box office.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

All this user's reviews

8

jojojojojojoJul 21, 2016

I liked this movie. Mostly because its pretty contemplative, is pleasing and symbolic and finally figures a way in which CGE can be used to humanized the story and find clever ways to tell it, it feels like a dream, a kid's dream. Is not theI liked this movie. Mostly because its pretty contemplative, is pleasing and symbolic and finally figures a way in which CGE can be used to humanized the story and find clever ways to tell it, it feels like a dream, a kid's dream. Is not the usual kids summer movie, it nos "hype", is melancholic but sweet, positive but a bit sour, is a story about clumsy giant and a loner girl. I agree with the critics, is a step forward and a movie to remember. I would definitely not bring my 11 yo cousin to it, he would be too old to enjoyed and too young to appreciated.… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

All this user's reviews

7

Jess_HillJul 17, 2016

This is a charming but poorly paced film. The script is filled with the splendiferous **** of the novel, which does make it somewhat difficult to follow initially, and there are some delightfully beautiful cinematic moments that almost makeThis is a charming but poorly paced film. The script is filled with the splendiferous **** of the novel, which does make it somewhat difficult to follow initially, and there are some delightfully beautiful cinematic moments that almost make seeing this in 3D worthwhile, but there's not much else here. The children in the cinema were delighted with the third act, which is what saves this film, but the laboured build up and stuttering storyline made it initially disappointing. The performances are good but not brilliant, hampered by the heavy reliance on CGI which resulted in some unfocused moments. A nice film, but not a splendiferous one. 7.02/10… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

All this user's reviews

9

PipeCAug 15, 2016

"The BFG" Is A Colossal Adaptation Worthy of Disney

"The BFG" brings back to film industry to Steven Spielberg with a genuine work aimed at adults and infants that covets to has the same impact than the previous classics of the director,"The BFG" Is A Colossal Adaptation Worthy of Disney

"The BFG" brings back to film industry to Steven Spielberg with a genuine work aimed at adults and infants that covets to has the same impact than the previous classics of the director, nevertheless, his film does not capture such pleasures.

The central axis of the film is Sophie (newcomer Ruby Barnhill), an orphan of 11 years old suffers child insomnia, her disorder makes she believes in "the witching hour", moment in which children of all the world are kidnapped by unidentified creatures. Sophie is kidnapped by the BFG (Rylance), who takes her to his home, which is beyond of Great Britain, beyond of mountain chains, more beyond of cloudscape. The apparent giant lives there, in a rustic house under a crag, however, he coexists with nine giants more, which belong to different alimentary prototypes, but, they concur with one special ideal: humiliate tremendously to the oldest and smallest of their countrymen. The BFG is the most diminutive (based on height) of his kind, nevertheless, has the heart more sensitive than others of his class; eating rotten and nasty vegetables and preparing his sleepy potions the giant spends his days, even so, Sophie has different plans in mind.

The film is full of significant elements cared for thoroughly, it is in charge of each small visual and aural detail, it is in charge of each small sentimental detail. Friendship, nostalgia, pragmatism, temperance, dreaming and fighting are aspirations transmitted from beginning to end, thanks to the detailed atmosphere engendered by Spielberg and his crew.

The first collaboration between Walt Disney Pictures and Amblin Entertainment (Spielberg's company) guarantees comfortable and suggestive expectations. Based on the British literature of Roald Dahl, "The BFG" is an adventure reflectively intimate and fascinating. Melissa Mathison ("ET") adapted wonderfully the pages of Dahl creating a trip completely familiar and faithful. Mark Rylance (2016 Oscar Winner for Actor in a Supporting Role for "Bridge of Spies") portrays a marginalized giant who lives with encapsulated dreams and rotten vegetables in a country where equality is under the ground. His signing up was imminent after he won gold at the Oscars Awards, and although, this was a dissimilar character to the of his statuette, the veteran actor interprets it with great lucidity and professionalism that a nomination would not be coincidental the next year. Rylance sustains the film, his unique vocabulary and his aspects captured with CGI costumes adorn and venerate the complexity of the original storytelling, creating an eminent interpretation. Barnhill is beginner in the profession, she did not get the impact of Jacob Tremblay in "Room" film, since she was not the typical girl that asks for everything and conveyed femininity, she is a leader, an orphan who knows distinguish between reality and unreality, nevertheless, she is left to hypnotize by the imaginary fantasies of the tale Dahl.

Whatever is the project that Spielberg takes to the big screen will have colossal greediness, Why?. As one of the best directors of the century, Steven Allan Spielberg captivated us with works worthy of carry his name, stories that are changed in classic instant and that have helped to forge the childhood of hundreds of people, who has not seen at least one of his films; this man is a cinematic god, a perpetual director, screenwriter, editor, producer and designer that guarantees monumental successes until the end of his days. For these and thousands of reasons do not leave of surprise us his last invention, which not manages to get that gleaming shine of his golden years, Yes, it is an excellent movie in all the parameters, but with Spielberg the word "excellent" not is impassable.

Assiduously, the film takes advantage of his majesty and inventive, Spielberg knows how to handle to the perfection his elements, the dreams tree or the escape of London leverage the splendor visual impregnated by colors, reflections, and lights. The ambitions were excessive and although "The BFG" tried to be "E.T." for the new generations would be Utopian; we are in an age where children are more mature and developed than any adult mind, there are not already girls who believed in fairies or children who wished to have an alien friend, those times have already passed and BFG receives a hard blow with reality. Spielberg demonstrates that still has strength and imagination in his films; "The BFG" survives by its own merits and is not necessary to compare it with a classic, an independent and well developed product that transforms the darkness of the original story for children into an adventure full of dreams, colors and expectations that preserve the hard-work of Rylance and Spielberg, and of course, the debut of Ruby Barnhill.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

All this user's reviews

7

Jollyjoe1000Aug 17, 2016

Its just good thats all. At the beginning it was kinda boring and meh. But it picked up the pace in the good factor and became a good story instead of a boring one.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

All this user's reviews

8

TLHGAug 3, 2016

This is one of Spielberg's weakest feature in my opinion, which just means that this is not an amazing movie. It is a very good one though and if I didn't know Spielberg can do better I would say it's a great movie. So don't go into the movieThis is one of Spielberg's weakest feature in my opinion, which just means that this is not an amazing movie. It is a very good one though and if I didn't know Spielberg can do better I would say it's a great movie. So don't go into the movie theater with incredibly high expectations just because of the director, specially if you are an adult (unless you have young kids or a used to interact with kids, I think that then you might have a greater ability to get in the mood for this movie than I do). This is a very nice movie for kids and I am sure that if I were something like 8 I would have loved it! I am almost two decades older than that and I could enjoy it and have a great time anyway. The cinematography, the design, and the soundtrack are of the highest quality you can find these days. So if you are thinking about watching it the movie theater but you're not sure if it is worthy, be sure it is. You won't be frustrated with this movie, but you won't see Spielberg doing a timeless piece as he usually does, that's all and, in the end of the day, who cares? The man already made history as a director/film maker anyway.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

All this user's reviews

7

Muskrat147Jul 11, 2016

A well intended effort from director Steven Spielberg, The BFG uses Mark Rylance's committed performance as fuel to deliver an adventure story that many say is "too faithful" to the book and lacks in depth and humor. Many, however, willA well intended effort from director Steven Spielberg, The BFG uses Mark Rylance's committed performance as fuel to deliver an adventure story that many say is "too faithful" to the book and lacks in depth and humor. Many, however, will marvel at the beautiful special effects and stellar acting.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

All this user's reviews

7

GamecubeLoverAug 6, 2016

Good movie but I just think the jokes and the acting is really mediocre. Everything else ranges from okay to good but this movie ain't the best movie of the year.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

All this user's reviews

10

TheMadHatter13Jul 17, 2016

A very good film of Steven Spielberg, an excellent director who has given us great moments in film history. Mark Rylance and Ruby Barnhill are fantastic, great performance, good music of John Williams, and wonderful story.

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

All this user's reviews

7

BikerjamesApr 19, 2017

After watching the preview for The BFG in theaters, I didn't have a desire to see it because the preview didn't grab me. After discovering it is directed by Spielberg I decided to watch it. Glad I did. Loved the first half of the film.After watching the preview for The BFG in theaters, I didn't have a desire to see it because the preview didn't grab me. After discovering it is directed by Spielberg I decided to watch it. Glad I did. Loved the first half of the film. The second half, which gets really silly, not as much. As always, Spielberg gets a first class performance from a child actor (Ruby Barnhill) and a terrific performance from Mark Rylance as the giant. If you have a great subwoofer and want to show it off, this is the film for you. When the girl first meets the giant his footsteps and movements will make your entire house shake! Overall I really enjoyed the film.… Expand