We're all right, Jack, as old tale has modern makeover
The age-old folk tale of Jack and the Beanstalk is given a modern makeover in Bryan Singer's fast-paced CGI-heavy fantasy.
Based on a script co-written by Usual Suspects scribe Christopher McQuarrie, Jack The Giant Slayer takes the familiar story of magic beans and a blood-thirsty behemoth as the foundations for a delightfully old-fashioned tale of derring-do, replete with a boo-hiss villain and swooning damsel in distress.
A storybook opening sequence recounts the legend of King Erik, who defeated the giants and banished them to a kingdom in the clouds with the help of his magical crown.
Many centuries later, farm boy Jack (Nicholas Hoult, pictured) heads into town to sell his horse and cart and comes back with a pouch of stolen beans.
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That night, a sudden deluge of rain causes one of the seeds to take root and a beanstalk rises terrifyingly into the sky, taking with it Jack's home and Princess Isabelle (Eleanor Tomlinson), who happens to be passing in the downpour.
When King Brahmwell (Ian McShane) learns of his daughter's fate, he organises a search party including valiant knight Elmont (Ewan McGregor), his right-hand man Crawe (Eddie Marsan), Isabelle's conniving fiance Roderick (Stanley Tucci), sidekick Wicke (Ewen Bremner) and Jack. Atop the beanstalk, they discover an army of gargantuan warriors led by two-headed General Fallon (Bill Nighy, John Kassir) and his lieutenants, Fee, Fye, Foe and Fumm.
Jack The Giant Slayer establishes a cracking pace and there are few pauses between the breathlessly orchestrated set pieces, while digital effects meld smoothly with live action.
Parents may want to view the film before unleashing very young children into this fairytale realm.
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