BRizz 2
Jack the Giant Slayer (2013) is one of those movies where you have to let your own opinion lead the way. Critics and audiences weren’t kind to this one when it came out, and I tried to understand why — but honestly, sometimes it just doesn’t matter. If a movie connects with you, it connects. And for me, Jack the Giant Slayer had its moments.
Nicholas Hoult plays the title character, and I actually thought he did a great job. He brought a sense of grounded innocence and believable growth to Jack’s journey, making him more than just a fairytale hero. The film gives him an arc that feels earned, and the director — Bryan Singer — chose to stick close to Jack’s perspective throughout, which helped keep the story focused.
I really enjoyed how the movie opened, showing both Jack and Princess Isabella having the same fairytale read to them by their parents. It gave a soft, nostalgic beginning and set the tone for the fantasy adventure ahead. It was a small but effective touch of storytelling.
Ewan McGregor brought a lot of fun to the role of Elmont, the royal guard. He wasn’t the main character, but he stood out with his charm and confidence. At first, he feels like a rival or even a threat, but over time, he shifts into a genuine ally, giving the story some added dimension. Eleanor Tomlinson as Princess Isabella did exactly what she needed to — not overly flashy, but she carried her part with strength and heart.
Now, the biggest issue — the Giants. And this is where I see why some people checked out. The CGI on the giants felt overdone and fake. They didn’t blend well with the live-action elements, and instead of feeling menacing or exciting, they felt awkward and distracting. Every time the giants were on screen, it almost pulled me out of the film.
But if you’re a kid at heart and love adventure movies, you’ll likely be able to look past that. There’s enough here in terms of storytelling, acting, costume design, and cinematography to make this a solid fantasy film. The editing and sound design were well-executed too — nothing felt sloppy on the production side, aside from the visual effects.
Would I rewatch it again? Probably not often. But funny enough, this was my second time watching it this year — and that says something. I forgot I had even watched it before, which shows it might not be the most memorable film — but once I started it again, I remembered why I had enjoyed it in the first place.
It’s not perfect, and it definitely has flaws, but there’s enough heart and adventure here to make it watchable.
Rated 3/5 Stars •
Rated 3 out of 5 stars
07/21/25
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Randall P
A fun and well done story of Jack and the Beanstalk. I watched it on Netflix and loved it!
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
04/05/25
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Aubrey R
There is really no blood or gore in this movie but the giants are still able to come across as something terrifying and dangerous! This is hard for some to do. I’m just in awe of how good they look! Would recommend this movie.
Rated 4/5 Stars •
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
04/03/25
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maleah g
This movie was surprisingly really good! It has very suspenseful moments and some gore. It was very similar to many other jack and the beanstalk but the acting was pretty good. It has a ton of action and a romance line aswell. Id recommend especially if you're looking for something nostalgic.
Rated 4.5/5 Stars •
Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars
03/24/25
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James D
Most people didn’t like it I think its good regardless.
Entertaining fun
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
03/23/25
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Marco L
(CASTELLANO) Las historias de aventuras fantásticas tienen algo especial cuando están bien contadas, y Jack el caza gigantes lo consigue con solvencia. No pretende reinventar el género ni marcar un antes y un después, pero sí ofrece una película entretenida, con buen ritmo y un gran despliegue visual que logra meterte de lleno en su mundo de gigantes y héroes.
La historia es sencilla: un joven campesino acaba metido en un conflicto milenario entre humanos y gigantes cuando, sin querer, abre un portal entre sus mundos. Lo que sigue es una aventura repleta de acción, peligros y personajes que cumplen bien su papel, aunque sin grandes sorpresas. Nicholas Hoult encaja en el papel de Jack, aportando carisma al personaje, mientras que Ewan McGregor destaca como un caballero con mucho estilo.
A nivel técnico, la película se luce. Los efectos especiales están bien conseguidos y los gigantes, aunque digitales, resultan convincentes dentro de la propuesta. Bryan Singer maneja bien la acción y el ritmo, sin dejar que la historia pierda fuerza en ningún momento. Es cierto que no tiene la épica de otras producciones del género, pero tampoco lo necesita: su objetivo es entretener, y lo hace sin problemas.
Quizá el mayor punto débil sea su falta de ambición. La película sigue una estructura clásica, sin demasiadas sorpresas, y su guion es bastante convencional. No se arriesga ni busca ir más allá de lo que ya hemos visto en muchas otras historias similares, pero al menos lo que hace, lo hace bien.
Si te gusta el cine de aventuras con un toque de cuento clásico, Jack el caza gigantes es una opción más que recomendable. No revolucionará el género ni se quedará en tu memoria durante años, pero ofrece un espectáculo entretenido, bien hecho y con el suficiente encanto para que valga la pena.
(ENGLISH) Adventure fantasy stories have a special charm when they’re well told, and Jack the Giant Slayer delivers. It doesn’t aim to reinvent the genre or leave a lasting mark, but it does provide an entertaining film with solid pacing and an impressive visual display that immerses you in its world of giants and heroes.
The story is simple: a young farm boy gets caught up in an ancient conflict between humans and giants when he unwittingly opens a portal between their worlds. What follows is an adventure packed with action, danger, and characters that serve their purpose well, even if they don’t bring many surprises. Nicholas Hoult fits naturally into the role of Jack, bringing charm to the character, while Ewan McGregor stands out as a knight with plenty of style.
On a technical level, the film shines. The special effects are well-executed, and while the giants are CGI, they feel convincing within the film’s universe. Bryan Singer handles the action and pacing well, ensuring the story never loses momentum. It may not have the grandeur of other fantasy epics, but it doesn’t need it—its goal is to entertain, and it accomplishes that effortlessly.
Perhaps its biggest flaw is its lack of ambition. The film follows a traditional structure without taking many risks, and its script is fairly conventional. It doesn’t break new ground or attempt anything beyond what we’ve already seen in similar films, but at least what it does, it does well.
If you enjoy adventure films with a touch of classic fairy tales, Jack the Giant Slayer is a solid choice. It won’t revolutionize the genre or stay with you for years, but it offers an entertaining, well-crafted spectacle with enough charm to make it worthwhile.
Rated 4/5 Stars •
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
03/19/25
Full Review
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