Though I'm not much of a Steven Spielberg fan, I was charmed by
THE BFG
from start to finish. There's enough salt in
Roald Dahl's original story to keep
Spielberg's cloying tendencies at bay, but the film is also a textbook
demonstration of how to properly use CGI - always to serve the story,
never to drown it out. (Donna complained that the CG work wasn't 100%
realistic, but I don't think this was one of its goals, nor should it
have been. Imperfections lend a handmade quality; they are character.)
Mar
k Rylance and Ruby Barnhill, both
excellent - in fact, I hope that Rylance's splendid characterization
will be acknowledged under his makeup when award season begins. He
brings a preposterous character completely and warmly to life. One of
Spielberg's finest films, a choice addition to the Dahl filmography. Time may well prove it among the most accomplished fantasy films in the
English language.
