Jack The Giant Slayer

Based on the well-known tale of a gullible opportunist in Jack and the Beanstalk, our unlikely hero has more to gain than a Golden Goose and her eggs. This film gives Jack a personality that ranges outside of the scope of selfish and stupid allowing us to see him as a young clumsy boy with a dream and a case of bad luck. 

Giants were once forces to be reckoned with, but with all things unimaginable, reality became a story, story a myth and myth a legend and soon the land of Albion where our story takes place, was in a state of blissful unawares to what once was. That is until one day Jack (Nicholas Hoult) in kindness to a monk, trades his horse for a pouch full of magic beans.

Suffice to say Jacks uncle is not happy at being cheated out of money for food for some worthless beans, but their worth however is no longer in question as within minutes, a thick vined snake erupts from beneath the earth encasing the house. It reaches out seemingly endless into the clouds, taking with it the recently escaped Princess of Albion; Isabelle (Eleanor Tomlinson). Seizing his chance to no longer live an adventurous life vicariously through his books, Jack volunteers himself for the Princess rescue mission, led by the leader of the Kings elite guards; Elmont (Ewan McGregor). Jack isn't the only tag along as Lord Roderick's (Stanley Tucci betrothal to the princess has nothing to do with his urge to quickly find out what lies at the top of the beanstalk.

There were a few really nice touches added to the film which people who are familiar with the tale of a boy and his beans will really appreciate, but don't hold your breath for anything particularly spectacular from this movie. Although it was a good watch it, like it's original story was a simple tale and with that there's only so much you can do. As the credits rolled and you automatically try to recall your favourite scenes you realise that the titular character barely got to speak. Except for the witty one-liners and adorable quirks, at the end of the day it left you wondering; without the beanstalk, who is Jack?