The first film directed by Steven Spielberg for Walt Disney Pictures was a bomb at the box office – and just a downright weird movie. “The BFG” is the story of giants raiding homes in England, kidnapping children, and eating them. What were Disney and Spielberg thinking?
The mediocre screenplay was written by Melissa Mathison, who had previously collaborated with Spielberg on the 1982 classic “E. T. the Extra-Terrestrial.” This partnership did not work out so well. It was adapted from the 1982 novel of the same name by Roald Dahl.
Some bright spots of “The BFG” includes the excellent special effects, the wonderful soundtrack by John Williams (his 27th effort for a Spielberg picture), and good performances by the actors, including Mark Rylance, Ruby Barnhill, Bill Hader, Rafe Spall, Jermaine Clement, Rebecca Hall, and Penelope Wilton as Queen Elizabeth II.
“The BFG” did earn nearly $200 million at the box office, but that was not nearly enough to make a profit to offset the massive budget and the extensive advertising expense. So “The BFG,” which stands for “big friendly giant,” was neither big, nor friendly, nor giant for Amblin Entertainment, The Kennedy/Marshall Company, or Walt Disney Studios in receipts in theatrical release.
The BFG (2016)
cinema
My Review
The first film directed by Steven Spielberg for Walt Disney Pictures was a bomb at the box office – and just a downright weird movie. “The BFG” is the story of giants raiding homes in England, kidnapping children, and eating them. What were Disney and Spielberg thinking?
The mediocre screenplay was written by Melissa Mathison, who had previously collaborated with Spielberg on the 1982 classic “E. T. the Extra-Terrestrial.” This partnership did not work out so well. It was adapted from the 1982 novel of the same name by Roald Dahl.
Some bright spots of “The BFG” includes the excellent special effects, the wonderful soundtrack by John Williams (his 27th effort for a Spielberg picture), and good performances by the actors, including Mark Rylance, Ruby Barnhill, Bill Hader, Rafe Spall, Jermaine Clement, Rebecca Hall, and Penelope Wilton as Queen Elizabeth II.
“The BFG” did earn nearly $200 million at the box office, but that was not nearly enough to make a profit to offset the massive budget and the extensive advertising expense. So “The BFG,” which stands for “big friendly giant,” was neither big, nor friendly, nor giant for Amblin Entertainment, The Kennedy/Marshall Company, or Walt Disney Studios in receipts in theatrical release.