The BFG

Steven Spielberg made a return to his roots with his next film, The BFG, recapturing the magic and wonder of his earlier films while matching it with cutting edge contemporary effects for a thoroughly charming cinematic experience. 

Sophie (played by Ruby Barnhill) is a 10 year old orphan living in an orphanage in London. She's an insomniac and wanders the Orphanage at night while everyone else is asleep. One night, as she's peering out the window, she catches sight of an actual Giant (played by Mark Rylance). The Giant notices her too and has no choice but to snatch her up and take her with him to Giant Country, a far off and unknown land. Once there, he explains that she has to stay with him because no one can know about the existence of Giants. Furthermore, he tells her she's shouldn't go outside because the island is inhabited by several far less friendly Giants, led by Fleshlumpeater (played by Jemaine Clement), who love to eat people. The two begin to bond as Sophie discovers that the Giant, who she refers to as the BFG (short for Big Friendly Giant), travels to a land called Dream Country, where he captures dreams and then delivers them in the night to sleeping people in London. Sophie also discovers that the BFG is frequently bullied by the other Giants in Giant Country and with the BFG begins to devise a plan to get rid of the other Giants and give the BFG some much deserved peace. 

Steven Spielberg re-teamed with Melissa Mathison in their adaptation of the Roald Dahl classic, having previously worked together to great success on E.T: The Extra-Terrestrial. They managed to create a film that had just as much charm and heart as their previous collaboration, this time focusing on the unique bond between a young girl and a very unique giant. For the effects, Spielberg once again turned to Motion Capture effects to bring his BFG to life, giving his creation the very unique proportions of a Giant, while also capturing a very lifelike rendering as well. The result is damn near flawless as for the bulk of the movie Sophie and the BFG are sharing every scene together and the live action blends incredibly well with the motion capture animation. 

The performances in the film are quite good as well. Mark Rylance is incredible as the BFG who has his own unique way of speaking that is sort of English, but not quite and is quite endearing in the role. Spielberg knew he had found his BFG when he was working with Rylance on Bridge of Spies and I have to agree. It's wonderful and fun performance that he delivers flawlessly. Ruby Barnhill is fantastic as the wise beyond her years Sophie and portrays the character wonderfully. Penelope Wilton pops up in the second half of the film, playing Queen Elizabeth II no less, and has an amusing turn in the film that I frankly never thought I'd see with the Queen of England. I wouldn't dare spoil it for those who have not seen it but it was amusing enough to make me wonder if the Queen herself had seen it. I know she has a Netflix account and the film is available on there. 

Overall, The BFG recaptures some of the magic of vintage Spielberg in a thoroughly charming film. It has not only dazzling special effects, but a wonderful story and some great acting to back it up. It's not one that found it's audience when it was originally released in theatres in the Summer of 2016, but I can only hope it's found it in the time since then.