Jack the Giant Slayer is a visually spectacular adventure
that borrows from two classic fairytales, Jack and the Beanstalk and Jack the Giant
Killer. The result is a formulaic story about a peasant who saves a princess
from giants that live in the clouds, and a king who doesn’t mind his daughter’s
wishes. Jack the Giant Slayer is a film that follows the classic fairytale
formula closely, but in this case that actually works to the film’s advantage.
Director Bryan Singer (X-Men, Superman Returns) remembers
why kids like fairytales: because they’re fantastical, a little bit ridiculous,
and a whole lot of fun. In the end things always turn out happily ever after,
and there’s really no reason not to meet that expectation. Jack the Giant
Slayer is an escapist film for the whole family and, while it definitely won’t
speak to you on an intellectual level, you’ll enjoy the ride—if you’ll allow
yourself to be a kid again.