Jack & The Beanstalk
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Movie Reviews of Jack & The Beanstalk
Movie Review: Incredible film! Very memorable.
Summary: 5 Stars
Like a lot of the reviewers here, I saw this film as a kid in a limited-release movie theater. I was familiar with the old fairy tale, and entranced with this slightly altered version. I recently acquired the DVD to watch with my grandson, and am even more impressed with it now than I was when I was a kid. The animation is cruder than I remembered. (I guess my memory enhanced the art over the years) But I was highly impressed with the story elements and, above all, the musical score. The songs leading up to the growing of the beanstalk are mediocre at best, but once Jack climbs the stalk, the songs take over, too. Someone else besides me noticed the uncanny resemblance between "No One Is Happier Than I" and The Carpenter's "Top Of The World". Crosby's paean to the full moon, and the creepy, sinister wedding song (Are You Happy-ee-ee-ee?, etc.) are marvelous. What is most impressive is the incongruous musical score. This film based on a fairy tale uses Rock-and-roll, jazz riffs, and the blues equally well. It takes guts to use music that is "out-of-genre", for lack of a better term; but when done right, with "Ladyhawk"'s rock score, and "The Sting"'s ragtime soundtrack for example, it can be astonishing. My sister, who obtained a DVD copy for her daughters, compared notes with me and agreed that the musical soundtrack, songs and all, is a pastiche of '70's-era rock operas. And all for an animated film based on an old fairy story.Movie Review: Wonderfully unique adaptation of the classic story
Summary: 5 Stars
This animated adaptation of "Jack and the Beanstalk" is easily the best movie I have ever seen made of the fairytale. Daringly mature and loaded with memorable songs, it is also very perceptive and heartfelt.
It also breaks the mold by taking significant creative license with the tale, and the changes wrought on the storyline are so natural that it is almost easy to criticize the original telling. For instance, there is no poetry-spouting giant here, just a mean and frankly dumb behemoth looking to absolutely crush Jack for being in his castle and looking sideways at his bewitched bride, Princess Margaret. Princess Margaret herself represents another departure from the traditional telling of "Jack and the Beanstalk," and even adds a layer of heartache, tragedy and sophistication to this unexpectedly rich treatment. Princess Margaret's signature song "No One Is Happier Than I" is drenched in bittersweet irony, and would be at home in a wide range of movies.
Also featuring a creepily maternal witch and Jack's faithful hound Crosby, this particular adaptation of "Jack and the Beanstalk" is perfect.
Movie Review: Anime Jack and the Giant
Summary: 5 Stars
I remember watching this as a kid back I don't know how many years ago and seeing it from time to time on cable when you had decent quality programming. Now it's back again for those who remember this version on DVD. Kinda makes me wish that various films from this era (i.e. - Animalympics) would make it to DVD to be preserved in a better format.
The storyline is basic,....not hard to follow but it is wierd here and there. The evil mother / witch (Heccuba) is almost like a robot with that human trait. I'm giving a spolier when her giant, ogre-like son, Tulip crushes her at the end. Certain scense and the musical score are almost Pink Floydian (ummm....Pink Freudian???? lol) here and there....but overall it is a great watch for the fans of this film as well as those who are young at heart. I've noticed some other people making comments and indicating that really young kids shouldn't watch it for it may be....well...too trippy. But that is done out of pure discretion.
However,...if you have watched this....and are a fan of it....get it. You won't regret it.
Movie Review: Can't believe I finally find this GEM!
Summary: 5 Stars
HBO was a huge treat for us kids back in the 80's. I used to watch this version of Jack & the Beanstalk all the time (I also loved watching The Pirate Movie, among many others). The animation was fun, the storyline was both fun and trippy, and I loved the music. I just watched it last night and all those great memories came flooding back. My favorite parts? 1. When the vine grows and grows 2. The dreariness of the castle that fit perfectly with its takeover by Hecuba 3. Jack's song and dance when he brings home some of the riches he has found 4. The harps retelling of how Hecuba drained the life out of the kingdom 5. Hecuba cutting out the guests for the wedding and last but not least, when light finally lit the kingdom all over again. I did cringe when Jack was being beaten with the broom by his mom though...I had forgotten that part. All in all, a great entertainment feast for all. Some scenes might be too scary for youngsters but if they're playing today's video games, they can handle this. Nostalgia is what made me search and search for this movie and it gleefully made me a tween again!Movie Review: The Jack In The Beanstalk We Remember!!!!!
Summary: 5 Stars
I remembered this as Japanimation. This is the one from TV when we were kids in the 80's. The music and lyrics are what makes this movie so inticing. I remembered the giant's face from the cover and knew this was it!!! The mystical wedding scene where the princess is under a spell to marry the giant has memorable music with feeling. This is the Jack in the Beanstalk I want to introduce to my child and I can't wait to see it again myself. I can hear the music in my head already..."Are you happeeeeeee?" I really thought I'd never find this and I am so excited that I wrote this review so you would know that you have to have it!! I never write reviews, so know that I am serious. I love it so much that I want to share it with the world and the next generation.