Just saw the film. And, I loved it. I was immediately reminded of the 1950s and 60s movies of Ray Harryhausen; especially those starring Kerwin Mathews. For this picture has the same sort of wonderment and innocence that exemplified the best of the long-abandoned Ancient Greek and Roman or Medieval action films of the past. Unfortunately, nowadays, anything that references historical times and or figures is inevitably saturated with graphic violence and sexuality; as is the case with the recent 300, Spartacus, or The Borgias. Jack the Giant Slayer, while containing some scary moments, and a few scenes of gory violence, is suitable viewing for most children over 12. The DVD should be released May 28th.
As a Medievalist, I loved the fact that the creators of Jack didn’t make the Middle Ages into a bleak and dismally dark time. They showed that the period did contain faith, intelligence, and beauty. The character of Jack, brought to mind Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz: a young person searching for meaning and their unique place in the world. But instead of a girl with her cute and furry compatriots, the Scarecrow, Tin-man, and Cowardly Lion, Jack has cool knights to accompany him on his journey. And, this is a story for boys and men; although the princess was rather independent and brave. It was unexpected to find a movie that celebrated selfless-courage and bravery, with masculinity. The guys are not jerks; they are genuinely likeable.
Unfortunately, in theaters, Jack was a bit of a disappointment. This might have to do with the clear distinctions between good and evil in the film. The last few action-adventure blockbusters, I am thinking of both The X-Men, and The Avengers series, the heroes are not always so clear-cut: alliances are changing and the good guys are often as flawed and mentally damaged as their evil nemesis: here, those that come to mind: the traumatic childhood and turn to evil by Mystique, and the annoying narcissism of Iron-Man. In Jack, the good are clearly very good, and the evil are truly evil. There is no wavering. And, in our times of relativism, when the lines between heaven and hell are blurred; in Jack, the evil giants are fleshed-out in all their hideousness, while Jack, the knights, and his princess are all radiant in the shining light of goodness.