• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Because dads don’t always think like moms™

  • Dad
    • Celebrities
    • Gay Dads
    • Sex
    • Single Dads
  • Pregnancy
    • Labor or Delivery
    • Pregnant Wife
  • Baby
    • Baby Naming
    • Feeding
    • Sleep
    • Toilet Training
  • Kids
  • Teens
  • Activities
    • Local
    • By Age
    • Movie Reviews
    • Celebrations
  • Toys
    • We Recommend
    • Toys
  • Coaching for Dads
  • Great Dad Talks Podcast

Movie Review: Jack the Giant Slayer

February 28, 2013 by GreatDad Writers Leave a Comment

Rated: PG-13

Running Time: 1 hour, 54 minutes

Release Date: March 1, 2013

Child-friendly? While the medieval fantasy battle sequences certainly earn this film a PG-13 rating, "Jack the Giant Slayer" is a film that certainly keeps its core audience in mind – young children delighted with classic fairy tales.

Has anyone else noticed that Hollywood is completely out of ideas? At first, movie executives seemed to be content with just producing sequel after terrible sequel of popular action and comedy films. Next, comic book superheroes started taking the screen by storm, followed by the film versions of old TV shows. That's in addition to the endless list of best-selling novels that have made their way to Tinseltown.

These days, the latest trend seems to be putting a modern-day twist on children's fairy tales. We caught our first glimpse of this movement with not one, but TWO adaptations of Snow White – "Mirror Mirror" and "Snow White and the Huntsman" – followed by the gore-tastic "Hansel and Gretel." And now, we're seeing "Jack the Giant Slayer" come to the big screen.

Anyone who has heard the classic fairy tale "Jack and the Beanstalk" knows the story of how a simple farm boy inherits magical beans that transport him to a giant's house above the clouds. "Jack the Giant Slayer" takes this tale to the next level by inserting a plot of all-out war between humanity and a race of vicious giants. Throw in some romance with a beautiful princess, and you've got yourself a typical Hollywood blockbuster.

If there's any place where the film struggles, it's in trying to convince the audience to overlook the silliness of the whole story. Unlike superhero comics, there's something inherently weird about seeing a modern, action-heavy version of age-old fairy tales come to theaters.

While not the most creative concept in the world, "Jack the Giant Slayer" is far from a bad movie. The film is largely boosted by performances from a variety of great screen actors, from Ewan McGregor to Stanley Tucci and Ian McShane. Considering that director Bryan Singer is responsible for the great X-Men trilogy, "Jack the Giant Slayer" certainly delivers the goods with elaborate action sequences and cool special effects. That's not to mention the thrills and fun of seeing an army of giants toss windmills and church bells at medieval castle battlements.

Child-friendly? There may be a few tense moments in the film during the epic battles between men and giants that have your kids on edge, but the laughs, thrills and fun in "Jack the Giant Slayer" are sure to make this one a crowd-pleaser. Recommended for children age 8 and up.

Filed Under: Movies Reviews Tagged With: Movie Review

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
SIGN-UP TODAY to receive the only baby newsletter written by dads, for dads. Act now and receive a free copy of the popular GreatDad E-Book!
My baby's due date or birthday :
Profile picture
Privacy Policy and Terms
Baby Name Finder!

what's in a name

  • Show names for:
  • Boys
  • Girls
  • Either
Finding a name you can both agree on isn't always easy. Use our simple name generator to get started.
First Letter
Last Letter
Number of Letters
Origin
Find a name!

More to See

family under a cardboard

Over 40? The Five Types of Insurance You Should Have

October 22, 2022 By Contributing Authors

A Dad’s Guide to Bonding with Your Kids Through Computer Games

May 5, 2022 By Contributing Authors

Tags

529 Plan budgeting for teens college savings compromise dad dads Father's Day fatherhood friendship in-laws love marriage Movie Review parenting advice parenting skills prepaid cards ritual Sundays travel vacation

Footer

Hi mom!

Would you like to share this site with your husband or a friend?

Just enter his email address and your name below and we'll let him know all about GreatDad.com.

His email address
Your Name

Recent

  • Special Clarity session – $25
  • Over 40? The Five Types of Insurance You Should Have
  • A Dad’s Guide to Bonding with Your Kids Through Computer Games
  • 5 Ways to Prepare Your Child for a Surgical Procedure
  • How to get kids excited about dental hygiene

Search

Tags

529 Plan budgeting for teens college savings compromise dad dads Father's Day fatherhood friendship in-laws love marriage Movie Review parenting advice parenting skills prepaid cards ritual Sundays travel vacation

Copyright © 2023 . GreatDad