The BFG

Ten-year-old Sophie (Ruby Bamhill) is an orphan who, up at three in the morning, sees a mysterious figure who whisks her away for the adventure of a lifetime. This creature is the Big Friendly Giant (Mark Rylance), a 24-foot behemoth who reveals his gentleness and charm to Sophie, and the two become friends. However, Sophie’s presence soon attracts the unwanted attention of the other giants, who bully the BFG and eat humans. The two come up with a plan – they travel to London, intending to convince the Queen to help them get rid of the bad giants once and for all. The BFG is a typical Spielberg film – a sense of almost childlike enchantment hangs over the film, especially in the wonder of the visuals (a sequence at a tree surrounded by dreams is a good example of this). A strong score by John Williams underlines the visuals, and the director tugs at your heartstrings as only he can – of course, a tale of two outsiders becoming friends and standing up to bullies is exactly his sort of territory. This film is a charming and enjoyable adventure that is full of whimsy – a wonderful treat for both the eyes and the heart.

Reece Goodall