The BFG (2016)

An orphan little girl befriends a benevolent giant who takes her to Giant Country, where they attempt to stop the man-eating giants that are invading the human world.

Director:

Steven Spielberg

Writers:

Melissa Mathison (screenplay by), Roald Dahl (based on the book by)

Stars:

Mark Rylance, Ruby Barnhill, Penelope Wilton

4 wins & 24 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Mark Rylance	...	BFG
Ruby Barnhill	...	Sophie
Penelope Wilton	...	The Queen
Jemaine Clement	...	Fleshlumpeater
Rebecca Hall	...	Mary
Rafe Spall	...	Mr. Tibbs
Bill Hader	...	Bloodbottler
Ólafur Darri Ólafsson	...	Maidmasher / Cook (as Olafur Darri Olafsson)
Adam Godley	...	Manhugger / Lout #1
Michael Adamthwaite	...	Butcher Boy / Danish Driver (as Michael David Adamthwaite)
Daniel Bacon	...	Bonecruncher / Lout #2
Jonathan Holmes	...	Childchewer / Pub Landlord
Chris Gibbs	...	Gizzardgulper / Late Night Walker
Paul Moniz de Sa	...	Meatdripper / Lout #3
Marilyn Norry	...	Matron

Storyline

Ten-year-old Sophie is in for the adventure of a lifetime when she meets the Big Friendly Giant. Naturally scared at first, the young girl soon realizes that the 24-foot behemoth is actually quite gentle and charming. As their friendship grows, Sophie's presence attracts the unwanted attention of Bloodbottler, Fleshlumpeater and other giants. After traveling to London, Sophie and the BFG must convince Queen Elizabeth to help them get rid of all the bad giants once and for all.

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Plot Keywords:

giant | dream | orphan | queen | london england | 

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Taglines:

The world is more giant than you can imagine.

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Genres:

Adventure | Family | Fantasy

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for action/peril, some scary moments and brief rude humor

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official Roald Dahl Website

Country:

USA India

Language:

English

Release Date:

1 July 2016 (USA)

Also Known As:

Big Valley

Filming Locations:

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Box Office

Budget:

$140,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$19,584,969, 3 July 2016, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$55,483,770

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$199,905,224

Company Credits

Production Co:

Walt Disney Pictures, Amblin Entertainment, Reliance Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

117 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Surround 7.1 Dolby Atmos

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.39 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The creative team is comprised of some of Steven Spielberg's longtime collaborators, including: two-time Oscar-winning cinematographer / director of photography (DOP) Janusz Kaminski; two-time Oscar-winning production designer Rick Carter; three time Oscar-winning editor Michael Kahn, ACE; Oscar-nominated costume designer Joanna Johnston, and legendary five-time Oscar winning composer John Williams.

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Goofs

The BFG took Sophie away and back to Giant Country because, as he explained to her, she had seen him, so her couldn't let her back. Yet not much later he was putting her back in the orphanage even though she didn't want to go. So his initial explanation for taking her no longer made sense.

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Quotes

Sophie: Why did you take me?
The BFG: Because I hears your lonely heart, in all the secret whisperings of the world.

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Crazy Credits

The Amblin Entertainment logo has the rare theme in it.

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Connections

Spoofs The Abyss (1989)

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Soundtracks

Piper's Maggot Jig
from Barry Lyndon (1975)
Arranged by Leonard Rosenman
Courtesy of Warner Bros Entertainment Inc.

User Reviews

Needs Better Editing But There's a Number of Positives Here

I'm also quite surprised by all the negativity thrown at this film. Yes, it does have its slow spots and could certainly use better editing, but it can be quite wondrous, humorous, and has some important messages to relay as well.

I thought the scenes with the Queen (Penelope Wilton) were highly imaginative, funny, and warm-hearted. Both Mark Rylance and young Ruby Barnhill were excellent in their lead roles.

As others have noted, this is not the best Spielberg film ever, but perhaps over time it will gain more favor. The late Melissa Mathis wrote the screenplay, as she did for Spielberg's classic "E.T.". It's based, of course, on the great Roald Dahl book.

All in all, I agree with those that don't think this movie deserves the pummeling it's getting, and I feel there's lots to like here, for those that want to give it a chance.