Between the Covers: Stories from My Bookcase

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Jack The Giant Slayer

For our Movie MonDate last night, we went to the Gateway Cineplex to see Jack The Giant Slayer.

Legend has it that centuries ago, the Monks of Cloister tried to find a way to find God. But their magic seeds only brought them to the land between heaven and earth, where giants ruled. These giants, by the monks’ unexpected visit, learned about the land below them, and acquired a taste for human flesh and bones. They sought to takeover that land.

But the monks found a way to keep the giants at bay. A great crown was forged from the heart of one of the giants’ own. Whoever wore the crown, became King of the Giants, and they had no choice but to obey. The monks gave Eric the Great, king of Cloister, this crown. He ordered all the giants back to their own land, and all the beanstalks cut down. And the people of Cloister lived in peace.

Everyone thought it was all just the stuff of legends. No one could prove though that it didn’t happen in reality. Until one day a farmboy gets a bag of beans from a monk, and one of them grows into a giant beanstalk right under his floorboards.

The farmboy becomes a legend himself.

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(Link for image source)

It would have been nice to watch it on 3D but it wasn’t available in Gateway so we chose 2D theater instead. The picture was quite clear and crisp. Breathtaking for a lot of scenes.

The animation in this film was good enough for us, Alfred could not get over how well made the giants were. He absolutely loved them.

As expected, the film is an adaptation of a well-loved children’s story – Jack and the Beanstalk.

The princess was my favorite character, I wish there was more time to develop her. I love that she had a thirst for adventure, and she looked forward to doing a lot of good for a lot of people when she becomes queen. Unlike some politicos running for office this election season, she didn’t just feel that power was her birthright, she actually wanted to experience life and be fit to be queen. She actually wanted to be with her people instead of staying within the confines of the high palace walls.

If Merida of the movie Brave was ever made into a live-action movie, the actress Eleanor Tomlinson who played Isabelle would be a good lead (not that I’ve seen Brave).

My next favorite character would have to be this dude:

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(Link for image source)

Ewan McGregor as Elmont, leader of the Royal Guards. His duty is to protect the princess, and he does it very well. He is brave and courageous, and witty. He definitely is one of the heroes.

Of course Jack was charming. Dorky, at first, but then he showed everyone that he was noble and had a heart full of courage. The King was also not to be discounted. He was right there in the frontlines when the castle had to be defended. He also made the tough decision to cut the beanstalk down lest the giants find their way down before the princess does.

So do the giants really exist? What if they come back again? If they do, then the crown that rules them is just hidden I plain sight. Winking smile

Have you seen this movie? Did you like it?

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