The BFG (2016)

My Review

The first and so far only film directed by Steven Spielberg for Walt Disney Pictures was a big bomb at the box office – and just a downright weird movie. “The BFG” is the story of giants raiding homes in England, kidnapping children, and then eating them. What were Spielberg and Disney thinking?

The screenplay by Melissa Mathison did not work out well, based on the 1982 novel of the same name by Roald Dahl. Some bright spots of “The BFG” (big friendly giant) include the good special effects, the soundtrack by John Williams (his 27th effort for a Spielberg picture), and the performances of cast members including Mark Rylance, Ruby Barnhill, Jemaine Clement, Rebecca Hall, Bill Hader, Rafe Spall, and Penelope Wilton as Queen Elizabeth II.

One of the few entertaining scenes features Wilton as the Queen calling the White House for military assistance. “Is Ronnie there? The wake him up!” One humorous interlude in an otherwise dreadful production doth not a good film make. “The BFG!”