Review – Disney’s THE BFG | In Cinemas 30 June 2016
We expected great things from this movie – a collaboration of a book by Roald Dahl, a Disney production, plus it’s directed by Steven Spielberg! It is what we had hoped – a brilliant piece of work. Our reviewers, from 6 yrs to 11 yrs and adults, all enjoyed it – some have read the book while others haven’t. One child proclaimed it as good as ‘The Force Awakens’.
Dahl is a master of using stories of unlikely heroes to speak honestly to and engage children on themes and issues that are pertinent to matters of childhood using vivid characters, imaginary worlds and fantastic words like bungswoggling. This story is no exception. One of the profound and relevant themes in this story is the bullying of the gentle, intelligent and insightful BFG, by the much larger and loathsome cannybully and murderful giants.
Spielberg has an amazing way of using visual cues to relay so much information about the characters and story – the opening sequence, with very few words sets the scene of young orphan Sophie, the night owl who certainly knows her own mind and is unafraid to speak it. The detail and links between animation and real actors is seamless enough that Giant Country appears real. Sophie (Ruby Barnhill) portrays her character honestly and the bond between BFG and Sophie is particularly special: one of respect, frankness and mutual care. This interaction between the BFG to Sophie – “I is speaking the most terrible wigglish.” “I think you speak beautifully”, Sophie replies.
This movie is refreshing. It has a gentle pace and humour, “Human beans from Jersey is tasting of cardiagans… Danes from Denmark is tasting ever so much of dogs”. There is so much storytelling happening in every scene but the story is told so brilliantly that even younger audience members will be engaged for the whole 2 hours.
Apart from the mildly scary giants (claimed one little girl in the audience) there is nothing in the way of rudeness except for whizzbangers (you’ll see!), very little violence – the giants play with life-sized cars like toys and the BFG pokes the giants with a burning stick, much to the enjoyment of one 6 year old in the audience!
The Big Friendly Giant’s wonderful gobblefunk language is so endearing (especially to anyone else whose words don’t always come out the way they mean). We love his special Frobscottle fizzy drink whose bubbles travel downwards and its hilarious side effect. The big Royal breakfast is a huge highlight. We also love the very clever girl Sophie as the human hero – she’s feisty, courageous and loves to read.
We won’t give you any spoilers in case you haven’t read the book, but this will be a perfect school holiday movie to see (especially for ages 7+).
Do you love Roald Dahl? Check out NIDA’s Winter Holiday Acting Classes
Check out NIDA’s Winter Holiday Acting Class The Peach Factory. Be introduced to acting and voice technique for live performance, rehearse scenes from your favourite Roald Dahl stage plays then present your rehearsed scenes to family and friends at the end of the course.
For more information please see our post about The BFG here.
What: Disney’s THE BFG
When: In cinemas 30 June 2016
Where: Check cinemas near you
Who: PG
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