Directed by Steven Spielberg with a screenplay by Melissa Mathison (E.T.) which is adapted from the much loved book by Roald Dahl, The BFG (Big Friendly Giant) is a magical trip down childhood memory lane.

It’s hard to imagine any adult that has made it through childhood without at least knowing the bones of this story. Sophie is an orphan with a case of insomnia and wanders the halls of her orphanage late at night.  It’s on one of her nightly vigils that she spots our larger than life friend The BFG. 

Not wanting to be discovered by the public at large he snatches her from the orphanage and steals away into the night, back to the land of Giants.

After an initial fright Sophie warms to The BFG and he to her. Of course no story would be complete without a little danger, which comes in the form of even bigger giants who have a fondness for eating children.  After discovering the presence of a human they are on the hunt to find her.

Can The BFG and Sophie defeat the Giants and stop them from taking anymore children?  Well let’s just say they enlist the help of none other than The Queen herself to carry out their plan. I won’t tell you anymore because you have to go and see it.

The main cast some give terrific performances with Mark Rylance taking on the gentle giant and Ruby Barnhill a confidant and precocious, but loveable Sophie.  The CGI is well executed and the story has not been meddled with.

Mark Rylance as The BFG

The BFG is in cinemas now. I’m giving it 4/5. It’s beautifully shot with magical landscapes and and captivating performances. While it might be a little dark in places for those younger than say six, it’s a family friendly movie that everyone will enjoy.