Genres

Visitors Review

William C. Uchtman 2012-05-23 08:00:21

Wonderful And Magical

I never thought twice about the story of Jack and the Beanstalk, but thismovie does answer some dangling plot points such as where the beans camefrom and a closer look into Jack's character. Matthew Modine, Mia Sara, JohnVoight and all the class give wonderful performances highlighted by abelievable story into the realm of beings who probably were the gods ofancient myth. Wonderful and ironic casting choices abound; Mia Sara from thefantasy "Legend" turns up in this fantasy as does Darryl Hannah playinganother sort of giant after doing the "Attack of the Fifty Foot Woman"remake. The movie for me also proves just how much history or legends can bebased on lies or the personal perceptions of others. The whole fantasy has acharming and intelligent telling in it as modern day Jack learns thefar-fetched truth of his ancestry and his connections to an ancient myth.Someone obviously did their research searching the origins of this tale andlinking it to believable characters and events. i only wished i had taped itbecause I'd love to see it again!

2012-05-22 23:05:29

The Henson Magic at it's Best

What a wonderful way to take a fairy tale that we all grew up with, turn it around and give it a whole new slant..while keeping the core story the same. Brian Henson, Son of Jim has brought the Magic of Henson to the TV screen in a "Giant" way :) The visual effects are outstanding..some of the best I have seen ... and incredible for a shoot that was only 11 1/2 weeks long (source: special features-behind the scenes- on DVD) . The actors did an outstanding job, with John Voigt pulling in a comedic performance that is a total surprise and very refreshing indeed!! Matthew Modine is, as always the best at his craft. He speaks with his eyes and face when he acts.... He is terrific. Darryl Hannah, Richard Attenborough, Mia Sara and Vanessa Redgrave round out the cast with equally well done characters. The role of Thunderdell is completely believeable in "both" roles..You will have to watch that to know what I mean... and is just outstanding. Buy this movie with confidence!! It is a wonderful rainy night, sit down with a bowl of popcorn and escape movie!! Enjoy!!

2012-05-22 10:50:31

Brilliant, but disorganized and overlong

This film has many brilliant elements, but fails to live up to its potential.First and foremost, I think it's at least 30 minutes too long. Secondly, quite a lot of that extra length is taken up with spurious scenes, and plot elements that go nowhere, most egregiously the genetically engineered desert peas.Were these in the script originally as an alternate means of reaching the land in the clouds? A goodwill gift of food for the cloud folks until the magical items could be returned? And why, for goodness sake, plant the seeds INDOORS? Why not throw them out the window (as in the original tale) or ask someone to plant them? This element reeks of being something sloppily vestigial, never properly removed from the script nor developed either.Were the cloned geese laying golden eggs? I couldn't figure that out either. If they were, and they had the CD of the harp, then who needs the originals?Some scenes just stretched credibility way too far. Just how unbelievably silly did Ondine need to be, not to understand what Jack was up to in the treasure room?I also didn't care for the wisecracking goose, though I suppose it was obligatory to enable the constipation humor.Having said that, I think the film is worth at least one viewing by those 10 or over, preferably in the company of adults, who will likely get something out of the film as well. Just be prepared to split the viewing over more than one night.

2012-05-21 13:44:52

Jack goes back!

This was a fun movie that Hallmark Entertainment put out for family TV. The graphics in the modern day "giant land" were excellent and the story takes a surprising twist as the movie goes on (although Jack's friend and advisor turned out to be somewhat predictable). Probably not a good choice for small kids, although my five year old enjoyed it. She has older brothers who watch Star Wars movies and others of that ilk, so this was probably pretty tame for her. The giant and a small amount of insinuated violence might be a little scary for some little ones, but others might do just fine. I give it a B+.

2012-05-20 19:31:59

Making Belief Impossible - Extravegant Drivel!

Lavish visuals and star power cannot rescue this piece of extravegant drivel!My annoyance with Jack was largely because of the potential, talent and money it squanders.It's a clumsy, predictable and heavy-handed morality play which, not trusting its characters (for good reason), resorts to narrating its lessons.The screenplay wanders from cliché to inanity to convenience and seems to have been introduced in the editing suite. The acting ranges from wooden to exploitive, with some particularly gifted players managing both qualities at once. Musical flourishes announce each revelation and instruct us on the appropriate response, just in case we hadn't seen it coming from a mile off. Convenient emotional touch-points are provided for people whose hearts might become lost in the meandering script.There are procedural and plot holes you can literally drop a giant through (e.g. despite porous security and dozens of witnesses, the giant's skeleton is excavated in complete secrecy). In a story that challenges us to believe in the impossible, such gaping wounds oblige us to abandon all hope. Retellings should add depth and scope to classic tales. Henson serves up confetti and cream-of-wheat.

2012-05-20 03:35:03

Looking at in all directions

The story is fasinating, the characters are great, so is the cinematograhpy!!! Sometime people then to stick to what they have been told stories like this makes you think and start to consider on a more broader perspective .Even a fairytale can teach that looking at something in a different angle makes one to understand others.

2012-05-18 19:36:52

Magical, Brilliant, and Entertaining!

This review is from: Jack and the Beanstalk - The Real Story (DVD) I came across this DVD totally by chance on Amazon and I'm so glad I took a chance and bought it with out viewing it first! I'm very surprised that this movie has not gotten more attention, there is a great cast and a very good plot line. They took the old story of Jack and the beanstalk but warped it into the modern scene and made the audience begin to wonder, 'did it really happen?' I'm 20, and I wasn't sure what age range this movie is for, based on the reviews found here people say 'oh it's not for kids' or 'oh it's a great family movie with high morals' Well this is my own take on it, yeah there is violence and a lot of romance and kissing, maybe not something you want to show your very young children. I think that 10 year olds will enjoy and understand this movie as well as older people. I loved this movie and the main star is soooo hot! The story is complex enough for adults, yet simple morals can be learned for kids watching this movie. If you like Tenth Kingdom, Snow Queen, or any other Hallmark production buy this movie!

2012-05-18 14:46:57

Excellent Family Movie Promoting High Moral Values

This is one of the best family DVD's I have ever seen. Not only is the story great for kids (but appropriately rated at PG because of a few scary scenes) , it is really wonderful for adults, too. The story has been changed from the traditional Jack and the Beanstalk. The giant has been transformed into a good giant, and Jack has been transformed into a scoundrel. The story shows a modern-day good and ethical Jack, and what effects the life of his ancestor (the traditional Jack) have on his modern life. Modern Jack didn't know that the traditional story was real, and that the traditinal Jack was really his ancestor, until some events happen in his life, and he finds out. He also goes up to the giants' city in the clouds and ends up taking care of unresolved business. It has been several weeks since I watched this 3½-hour DVD with my husband and my daughter, and I am still thinking about it. My husband, who normally enjoys action movies, reallly enjoyed it. My daughter has watched it numerous times. This is a great story which promotes good moral values for kids, and for society.

2012-05-13 14:22:27

A cool twist on an old tale

This movie has been a favorite of my family since it first aired. I love how they tie in financial responsibility and an old fairy tale. The twist making the giant the good guy was and showing Jack for the theif he always was is great. I love Vanessa Redgrave's part; her ability to show dignity on screen was clear. Jon Voight's comedic side was also apparent in his role.That said, the plot is very slow, particularly in the beginning. I also think the ending was a bit abrupt. Personally, I would have liked to see more of the giants world. Overall, though, I would definitly recommend this to families with kids over 8 (younger children may not have the attention span needed for the slow plot).

canobi2002 2012-05-13 03:27:16

Magical and Entertaining

I watched this movie all in one go and I must say I didn't move from mychair. Modine and Mia Sara's performances are excellent as are the rest.Sara plays the girl from another world who comes to Modine to help himfindthe truth and help her bring welfare back to her people. Modine slowlywilldiscover where the riches of his ancestors came from. Then he will try toright the wrongs and end the curse to his family. The family moves betweentwo worlds. Our world and a fantastic one. The scenery and the landscapesare wonderful and there is also some mistery and twists till the end. Themovie addresses the greed of people and how they would go all the way justto satisfy themselves ignoring the needs of others. I highly recommendit.

starlet86 2012-05-09 16:09:41

a great fairy tale

This is an imaginative take on the Jack and the Beanstalk story. Whileit was made for kids, the story maintains enough complexity to keepadults interested (I'm 19). Plus as a female, I appreciate the factthat it's one of the few stories where (possible spoiler) thedamsel(who's in a different kind of distress than other fairy talewomen) rescues Prince Charming. But there some flaws with this film that kept me from giving it aperfect 10. Some gripes I have (spoilers ahead):1. I'm no math person but why couldn't the writers be consistent withwhen Jack's dad died? One minute, they say he died 20 years ago butthen they say he died when Jack was 14. Since Jack is 37, it shows thatthe writers can't do simple addition. Couldn't they just take twoseconds to do the math? 2. How the hell does Siggy know about goose and harp? I got theimpression from Wilhemina that Jack's dad didn't believe the story ofthe original Jack. But apparently, Jack's dad told Siggy not to tellhim about the family's dark secret until he was ready. I wish there wasa more believable explanation for Siggy knowing a lot more than heshould. 3. If Siggy is smart enough to know the all the Robinsons' secret, Ithink he should be able to catch on to the fact that Jack is in lovewith Ondine fairly quickly. I always wondered why he didn't try to killOndine when he was so against Jack having an heir. I understand thatthey had a time limit to the movie and maybe it would have been a bitscary for the little ones. And don't get me wrong, I love Jack andOndine too much to want anything less than a happy ending for them. Butshooting her (or at least threatening to do it) would have been a greatway to kick up the tension/suspense. 4. Siggy's accent and mannerisms were an attempt at comedy thatcompletely fell flat. It was not funny and was a bit gratuitous.But if you're a fan of romance, adventure, or just feel-good movies ingeneral, those things shouldn't keep you from enjoying this film.

andy_shorrock 2012-05-09 06:48:40

Nice idea, but too long.

Well that's 4 hours of my life I'll never get back. Shame really asit's a good idea for a film. If only it'd been 2 hours rather than 2 x2 hours. At one point the film goes so slowly it almost stops.The fairytale of Jack and The Beanstalk was a lie based on the truth.The 15th generation son of Jack has to pay the price for the crimes ofhis distant relative 400 years ago who stole the goose that lays thegolden eggs and the harp that plays for the goose to lay from the bigFRIENDLY giant.The land of the giants has suffered terribly, crops have failed becausethe harp isn't there to play the special music and the climate haschanged because the golden eggs where burned in a furnace to power theclimate of the land.As I say, nice idea but tooooooooooooooooo looooooooooooooooong!

TheLittleSongbird 2012-05-02 10:37:39

Very entertaining

I saw Jack and the Beanstalk:The Real Story on the SyFy Channel, and Iwasn't expecting much. But it was actually very entertaining, while atad too long and Jon Voight did have an accent and mannerisms that didfall flat sometimes, it did have a lot of good points. The charactersare engaging, with only Siggy being written clumsily more in how he wasdeveloped rather than the lines. The production values are colourfuland enchanting in their look, there is some quirky writing and thestory is as magical as can be. The pace is very brisk mostly with onlythe last thirty minutes or so feeling as though it was meandering, andthe acting is mostly above decent with Jack being a likable hero andVanessa Redgrave coming off best. Overall, fun and entertaining. 8/10Bethany Cox

2012-05-01 18:09:05

so fast! great great!

This review is from: Jack and the Beanstalk - The Real Story (DVD) I got this for my son's birthday and he was sooooo happy! Very fast shipment ordered Friday night and got it Tuesday morning.

2012-04-29 17:56:03

Jack and the Beanstalk:The Real Story

The item was in perfect condition and sent in a speedy manner.I am very pleased with this contact!

interest-5 2012-04-29 09:16:12

Did anyone else think this was an allegory of --- ?

While watching this movie I couldn't help but think that it was anallegory for the experiences of native Americans upon being invaded.Nobody else saw the movie that way? The effects were great as expectedbut although the lineup of actors was stella, the script/movie couldhave been edited down and polished to about two thirds its length. Andif it was an allegory, it lacked a decent gray perspective, too binary.One thing that the movie does well is that it really makes you think:what if the fairy tale really did have a basis in fact? A minorannoyance was the depiction of the friendly giant after being shown thetraditional version. A character doesn't have to be smiling all thetime like a cross between a weird cult leader and a real estate agentto get across that he's a good guy. Some subtlety, please.

2012-04-26 19:06:47

what might have been

This review is from: Jack and the Beanstalk - The Real Story (DVD) I found this to be a thourghly enjoyable movie of what couldpossably have been. The scenery in giantland was excellent,as was the creatures and all the special effects. The storywas well written and maintained throughout the film. Avisually satisfyimg film that deserved better ratings amdwriteups then it received at the time of it's release. I amvery pleased with this purchase, and I thought Mia Sarawas terrific as Ondine.

2012-04-26 05:17:48

Nice twist to the movie

Good acting and scenery and effects, Jack, the distance great great... etc grandson of the original Jack who climbed the bean stalk is the key figure in this, the twist comes in because it gives the Giants point of view.Very intresting, entertaining and does teach a great since of morals and ethics!Enjoy!

rpons9 2012-04-25 11:14:02

good

starlet86 from edison NJ hit it on the nose...some not so consistentstory telling...good movie but if you have the DVD - and watch overagain - you will see the incosistencies...i'm not much for sappy endings...but even that was inconsistent...ifthey went back to giant land - she said they had 7 days which equaled 7years in earth time - then he said there could be several newrobinson's when they get back to earth - how could that be? they stillspent only 7 days on giant land? don't understand that...i also saw parallels to the movie Hook - which was much better toldthan this one...peter grows up and all...but in all - i am still a sucker for these types of twists on fairytales...7 is good enough...

2012-04-25 01:33:13

A Bit Drawn Out But Still Wonderful Entertainment!

This review is from: Jack and the Beanstalk - The Real Story (DVD) This telling of the classic story is great to look at and is just a beautiful film altogether. Mathew Modine stars as Jack Robinson, a man who has been made to believe that he won't live pass 43 as his relatives with the same names have died at that age. Jack soon finds out that the Jack and the beanstalk story has to do with the curse of his family. He finds himself pursued by a mysterious young lady played by Mia Sara and having secrets hidden from him by his so called close family friend played by John Voight. Although this has it's flaws, like not being able to understand the giants half the time, John Voight's bad accent and the over makeuped Darayl Hannah. It still is full of wonder, adventure, lively effects and good performances by Mathew Modine, Mia Sara and Vanessa Redgrave. Plus it makes 2 big points about greed and trust. I don't really recommend watching it straight through, since it's so long it can be hard to sit through. Just like Lord of the Rings I can't say the length hurts the altogether entertainment level though.