The BFG Review (2016) | Bringing Dahl’s the Big Friendly Giant to life

still of the big friendly giant and sophie in the bfg movie

Alluring! If there is someone who can come close to doing The BFG justice, it is none other than Steven Spielberg himself. He nails it and creates this enchanting image of the giant that we had always marveled about as kids. Spielberg brings him to life with his astounding powerful direction well supported constantly by the flick’s beautiful CGI.

MARK RYLANCE: THE PERFECT BIG FRIENDLY GIANT

Mark Rylance is absolutely outstanding as the Big Friendly Giant, wearing his benevolence on his sleeves for us to notice him. He has such a beautiful soul that you cannot imagine anyone else wearing the character so perfectly. He fits into the persona like a glove. You can’t help feel sorry for him when he struggles with the words. Yet in his occasional balderlash, he manages to say things that generate effortless musings.

still of mark rylance as the big friendly giant from the bfg movie

I hears your lonely heart, in all the secret whisperings of the world.

If you pay close attention to his demeanour and follow him up with a childish gaze, it would be hard not to fall in love with his goodwill. Spielberg’s CGI manages to capture his every expression making every moment melting.

OTHER NOTEWORTHY ASPECTS IN THE BFG

Screenplay is brimming up with Roald Dahl genius, and well moulded by Melissa Mathison for Cinema. Beautiful words from the book still lurk there, and they manage to rivet you with the kind of pace Steven Spielberg and all of us love.

It was the Witching Hour, when the Boogeyman comes out when people go missing. The girls say the Witching Hour arrives at midnight. I think it comes at three in the morning, when I’m the only one awake. Like always. Like now.

still of Ruby Barnhill as Sophie in the BFG
Ruby Barnhill was a great choice for Sophie too. Her cuteness level is endearing to watch. Her conversations with the BFG is what helps in putting things into perspective.

The score of BFG is equally enchanting; setting the right mien to let you experience the wonder. The artistry on dreams was stunning as well. The whole concept of catching a dream, creating it, blowing it, is so well thought of that you cannot clap enough for Dahl’s creativity.

Watch the Giant storm past the trees swiftly and you will see how gorgeously his movements have been captured. The time when Sophie is picked up from her bed, as she beholds the dodgy pathway through her blankets, will tell you how Steven Spielberg never fails to give painstaking attention to his frames. He lets us in on Sophie’s vision to show what she sees. There is poetry lurking in his direction which makes the whole cinematography affair even more winsome.

THE FINAL VERDICT

Apart from changing little facts from the Roald Dahl’s creation, Spielberg brings back the lost charm of his ingenuity to the front page. He makes it happening via the tranquility in his frames something only his finesse could ace.

Whilst those who haven’t come across the children’s book before, they might find the story a bit fantastical, but to be really candid, you need to turn back time for this. Witness the movie through the eyes of a little girl who comes across Giants for the first time in her life and goes on a whimsical little adventure to the Giant Country.

Check out the trailer of The BFG movie here:

The BFG

7.7

Direction

8.0/10

Plot

7.2/10

Screenplay

7.7/10

Editing

7.8/10

Music

8.0/10

Pros

  • Brilliant Direction
  • Breathtaking motion and visual effects
  • Outstanding Music
  • Perfect justice to the Book

Cons

  • A bit too fantastical for some
  • Seems Dahl had already written its climactic ending fell a little bland

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