The BFG (2016)

Ruby Barnhill and the BFG in a scene from the film.

Steven Spielberg  directs The BFG based on the novel by Roald Dahl. Sophie (Ruby Barnhill) is an eight-year-old orphan from London who is taken from her bed in the middle of the night by the bfg (voiced by Mark Rylance). Sophie spots the bfg through the window and fearing she'll reveal his existence he takes her to his cave in giant country.

The giant, of course, is a big, friendly giant. She is scared at first and wants to go home, but after being with him for a while she is more than happy to stay with him. The other giants who live in giant country love to eat human "beans". The other giants suspect Sophie's presence so she is constantly having to hide in a moments notice.

The bfg spends his time collecting dreams so that he may blow them into the homes of children. He also collects nightmares to keep them from children, but this gives Sophie the idea to give the Queen of England (Penelope Wilton) a terrifying nightmare that will make her believe giants are real this causing her to do something about them.

Spielberg is a mastermind. He has proven he has a sense of wonder in his past films. Even now, his films aimed at children prove to be nothing short of magical.

The source material of The BFG is a little bit darker yet more childish in a way. This adaptation is more family-friendly, yet the bfg and Sophie seem more well-developed. While this film flopped in the States (apparently Americans are not fans of acronyms) over seas the film did well and will probably have more of an overall impact on those children. Changes were made to the source material, and while I disagreed with some of them, overall the film was more interesting. It's fun to see the bfg interact with Sophie. He is more child like than she is, but is wise. Sophie is a brave girl and is not afraid to do what is right.

Spielberg knows what he is doing. Although the comical moments aren't truly funny until the bfg and Sophie find themselves present in Buckingham palace. The other moments meant to make you laugh seem forced. Barnhill is a newcomer and does a fine job. She is strict, but open to feeling those tender moments. However, at times she does seem a little to strict for an eight-year-old.

Rylance is superb as the giant. He is scared of the world he lives in. He sees the world as mainly tough with children providing him his happiness. He represents the cynic in all of us.

The film is fun, and the adaptation provides more room for suspense. Sophie finds herself in danger more often than not while she was always safe in the novel. This makes the tender moments more wonderful. We have two characters who are fighting for what is right. There is more to the characters than meets the eye.

Rating: 3.5/5 stars.
Rated PG for action/peril, some scary moments and rude humor