Jack the Giant Slayer
“Jack and the Beanstalk” gets revamped for the age of CGI, with the backstory expanded to encompass a dormant war between humans and a race of sky-dwelling giants. Farm boy Jack (Nicholas Hoult) and a royal guard (Ewan McGregor) climb up to rescue a princess (Eleanor Tomlinson) and restore her to her father the king (Ian McShane), while a traitor (Stanley Tucci) plots to lead the giants in renewing their ancient war. The result is a wonderful fantasy-adventure; Darren Lemke, Christopher McQuarrie and Dan Studney's script flies like the wind, and director Bryan Singer strikes just the right balance of spectacular effects, swashbuckling and Princess Bride-style humor. This could become The 7th Voyage of Sinbad of the 2010s, cherished by kids of all ages. (The 3-D, though, is distracting and unnecessary.)
More Film » Short Reviews
Dark Skies
Keri Russell is good as a suburban wife haunted by unsettling events—but someone forgot to tell director Scott Stewart that his film lacks an ending.
Published on 02.28.13
Bless Me, Ultima
Rural 1940s New Mexico gets the magical realism treatment in this adapation of Rudolfo Anaya's classic novel.
Published on 02.28.13
West of Memphis
Published on 02.21.13
Beautiful Creatures
Yes, this small-town supernatural flick is a lot like Twilight—only better.
Published on 02.21.13