Jack the Giant Slayer - 2 1/2 smiles

When you don’t expect much, you can be pleasantly surprised. “Jack the Giant Slayer” is fun and fast moving, an entertaining fantasy-adventure. Certainly much better than the dreadful Hansel and Gretel that opened in January. The plot hasn’t changed much (so you know how it’s going to end), but director Brian Singer has added a few new wrinkles. Instead of one giant, there’s an army of them, grumbling up in their sky-high home, wanting revenge on the kingdom of Cloister for past grievances. When the inevitable beanstalk appears, Jack (Nicholas Hoult) climbs it to save the runaway Princess Isabelle (Eleanor Tomlinson).

Hoult and Tomlinson are attractive, if not charismatic and effective as the young couple at the center of the story. The fun, however, comes from the supporting cast. Stanley Tucci sneers nastily as a nobleman with huge ambitions, Ewan McGregor is the gallant knight Elmont and a motion-captured Bill Nighy turns the giant General Fallon into a worthy foe. The special effects are impressive, especially the massive beanstalk that chews its way to the sky. “Jack the Giant Slayer” is scary in just the right places, funny whenever possible and likeable.  3/3/13