The BFG Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		5.0
Audio		4.5
Extras		2.0
Overall		4.0

The BFG Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Martin Liebman November 29, 2016

Few children's authors are as prolific in print or considering their works transitioned to film as Roald Dahl. Whether the classic Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, the whimsical Matilda, or the comedic Fantastic Mr. Fox, Dahl's stories have capitivated readers and entertained cinema audiences for decades, earning him the honor of an annual celebration, Roald Dahl Day, one of a precious small handful of authors to garner such an honor (perhaps the most widely known being March 2nd, "Read Across America Day," better known as Dr. Seuss' birthday). The BFG marks the latest entry into film for the famed author and it offers viewers yet another magical tale to enjoy on the silver screen. Though previously adapted for the small screen, this version sees prolific filmmaker Steven Spielberg (E.T.) take the reigns and reimagine the story making use of cutting-edge visual effects and repurposing all of Dahl's print magic for the movie audience.

Sophie (Ruby Barnhill) is an insomniac orphan who prowls around the orphanage at all hours of the night, really just getting started at what she calls "the witching hour." One night, tucked in her bed in the wee hours and reading under her covers with a flashlight at her side, she hears a ruckus outside her window. Turns out it's just a few blokes who've downed a few too many drinks. Another commotion, this time some stray cats foraging in the trash. But before she can look the other way and return to her book, she catches sight of something unmissable: a giant many times bigger than she, or any normal human being. She hides in her bed but the giant's super-extra-large hand reaches through the open window, nabs her, and brings her back to his home where a thimble is as big as a basket and a frying pan is just the right size to fit a little girl. Turns out, though, that she's not in any danger; the giant (Mark Rylance) is a kindly old fellow who just needs to make sure that Sophie won't spill the beans and spoil his life. The two hit it off, with her calling him the "BFG" or "Big Friendly Giant." She learns he has the power to control and influence dreams, which the two make use of to thwart much larger giants who dislike the "runt" that is the BFG and to help Sophie find a more permanent home.

The BFG is nothing if it's not magical. It's born of the perfect pairing, really, with Dahl's imagination and Spielberg's instincts behind the camera merging to make a movie that may not be uniquely touching or in any way thematically spectacular but that sees both craftsmen doing what they do best, which is dreaming big and creating something that's at once both comfortable and familiar while at the same time different and distinguished. The story is mostly about dreams, both in a literal and figurative sense. The film is in many ways the intersection of dream and reality, the merging of the imaginary with the tangible world at one's fingertips. Its ability to commit to, shape, and thrive in a world that's practically timeless, familiar yet unique, and populated by characters who are much the same, all reinforce the idea of the dream and its place in shaping one's life. Even as the dreams are essentially personified or made into some tangible matter, there remains a sense of honest direction as the story unfolds, something real and relatable as the movie takes the audience by the hand and, not even so much with a pronounced wink but certainly a subtle, knowing nod, guides its viewers through a world of wonder that may not literally exist beyond the screen but that metaphorically most certainly does in everything the world has to offer.

The movie's thematic success goes without question, and so too does its technical construction. Spielberg's ability to perfectly compose and capture is practically unmatched in the industry, and even in a challenge like The BFG that sees the intersection of live motion capture performances with the difficulty of not only digitally enhancing those performances but at a much larger scale, all while necessarily keeping everything in balance, cannot be an easy task. Spielberg handles the challenge with an understated confidence. The movie is completely seamless in presentation, and the special effects are so good that it's easy to forget that the giants aren't giant after all but merely human-inspired pixels in a computer. It's a masterful effort all around, from the live and digitally captured performances all the way through the cinematography and set design that make the movie complete. The score is equally wonderful, marking yet another collaboration between Spielberg and John Williams. The music matches the movie, finding a sustained sense of magic and whimsy but a somewhat serious underside that lends weight to both the surface humor and deeper purposes.

The BFG Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The BFG was digitally photographed and, obviously, very heavily CGI'd. Both elements shine on Blu-ray. The image is richly clear and detailed, and the constructed digital elements -- particularly the giants -- look nothing short of amazing. Beyond even the seamlessness of movement, the level of detail inherent to the creations is striking, down to the very finest pores, wrinkles, blemishes, and individual hairs on both heads and bushy eyebrows. Environments sparkle, real human skin and clothing textures are immaculate, every frame is a treasure trove of visual richness both real and computer-created alike. Colors are beautifully presented as well. Saturation is terrific, vibrancy is natural and revealing, and everything from jars of colorful dreams to grassy greens dazzle. Black levels are impervious to error and flesh tones paper accurate. Source noise is minimal and no other source or encode problems are immediately evident. This is a terrific all-around 1080p image.

The BFG Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The BFG features a DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 lossless soundtrack that seamlessly envelops the listener with every scene requiring wider spacing while maintaining terrific clarity in extended dialogue exchanges. Giant footfalls yield room-rattling heft. A huge cleaver slams into a cutting board with dynamic depth. Chaotic action scenes are a symphony of exaggerated big-character movement. The track always manages to create an appropriate sense of scale from the listener's perspective, playing in naturally supportive harmony with the on-screen action. Lighter atmospherics are impressively precise, and several bits of vehicle movement traverse the stage with effortless motion. Music is beautifully clear and well defined, enjoying a wide front end and seamless wrap through the backs. Dialogue delivery is clear and center-focused, always well prioritized, and reverberating all around the stage when the situation permits.

The BFG Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

The BFG contains one catchall featurette and several smaller pieces. A DVD copy of the film and a Disney digital copy voucher are included with purchase.

• Bringing The BFG to Life (1080p, 27:09): Ruby Barnhill hosts a series of video diaries which share her amazing experiences on the set. The piece also features a number of participants, including Steven Spielberg, discussing how the film was made, including preproduction, set design, scene construction, special effects, costuming, props, and more.
• The Big Friendly Giant and Me (1080p, 1:55): A brief animated telling of the story.
• Gobblefunk: The Wonderful Words of the BFG (1080p, 3:16): A quick examination of some of the unique vocabulary that populates the story.
• Giants 101 (1080p, 4:54): Casting and performing the Nine Giants.
• Melissa Mathieson: A Tribute (1080p, 5:54): In memory of the late screenwriter.

The BFG Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

2016 marks Roald Dahl's 100th birthday celebration, so it was a particularly good time to release one of his most beloved books to the big screen, directed by one of the great visionary, movie-magic directors in history. Though hardly Spielberg's best work, the movie certainly benefits from his eye, deep understanding of the story's themes, and his ability to finely balance its fun factor and spectacle with its greater purpose. Supported by tremendous digital effects, strong acting, fantastic production design, and another brilliant John Williams score, it's a fine film and a welcome entry into the Spielberg canon and the world of magical movies. Disney's Blu-ray release of The BFG is a little thin in terms of supplemental content, but the 1080p video is reference quality and the audio is stellar. Highly recommended.