The
BFG
(2016/Amblin/Disney Blu-ray w/DVD)
Picture:
B+/B- Sound: B+/B- Extras: B Film: B
Steven
Spielberg's 2016 family fantasy adventure film, The
BFG
(2016), finds its way on Blu-ray disc in hopes of capturing a larger
audience than it did in theaters. Comparable in tone to Spielberg's
other motion capture adaptation, The
Adventures of Tin Tin,
The
BFG
is primarily motion capture animation and pushes the envelope of
modern filmmaking by mixing the practical with the impossible. Based
on a Roald Dahl book and from a screenplay by the late Melissa
Mathison (E.T.),
the film is a silly adventure into a world where friendly giants
dwell.
The
BFG
stars Mark Rylance, Ruby Barnhill, Bill Hader, Rebecca Hall, Penelope
Wilton, and Jemaine Clement. All of the performances and direction
here is spot on with Spielberg doing what he does best. It's nice to
see the giant/little person effect composite evolve since the early
days of when Tod Browning tooled with the idea in the 1930s with
Devil
Doll.
However, the movie is a little goofy with some ridiculous names for
certain things and an overall slow pace that may not appeal to hyper
young kids.
A
small orphan girl named Sophie (Ruby Barnhill) is kidnapped by a big
friendly giant (Mark Rylance) and whisked off from England to a land
where giants are the norm. As Sophie and the Giant become good
friends, Sophie's presence attracts the unwanted attention of
Bloodbottler, Fleshlumpeater and other giants. After traveling to
London, Sophie and the BFG must convince Queen Victoria to help them
get rid of all the bad giants once and for all and allow the good
ones to be at peace... but can they persuade her?
Presented
in 1080p high definition with a widescreen aspect ratio of 2.39:1,
the film looks absolutely solid on Blu-ray disc with glowing colors
from the warm fireplace in the Giant's home to the blue scale
lighting seen outside at night. The predominance of digital effects
in the film is a bit obvious on Blu-ray because everything is a bit
too perfect and pristine, but this doesn't detract away from the
movie. The sound mix is a high standard as well with a DTS-HD MA
(Master Audio) lossless 7.1 mix that captures John Williams'
thrilling score perfectly and balances out crystal clear dialogue
with huge sound effects.
A
lesser standard edition DVD of the film is also included that looks
and sounds fine for the format, presenting the film with an
anamorphic widescreen aspect ratio of 2.39:1 that lacks the detail
that the Blu-ray provides. The sound mix is a lossy Dolby Digital
5.1 track that isn't terrible and what you would expect from a DVD.
A Digital Copy is also included that translates to the Disney Movie
App, Vudu, and iTunes.
Special
Features include...
Bringing
"The BFG" to Life
The
Big Friendly Giant and Me
Gobblefunk:
The Wonderful Words of The BFG
Giants
101
Melissa
Mathison: A Tribute
Not
Spielberg's best film by any stretch, but a fun family film and not
as bad as everyone was saying. Never lacking in imagination, The
BFG
is full of beautiful cinematography that looks simply stunning on
Blu-ray disc.
-
James Lockhart
https://www.facebook.com/jamesharlandlockhartv/
