When one of the beans accidentally gets wet, the magical bean sprouts a massive beanstalk that grows to the sky and takes Jack’s house and Isabelle with it. Jack sells his horse to a desperate monk in exchange for a sack of beans that come with the promise of treasure. The story takes place in olden times, and Jack grows up hearing the legend of King Erik, who defeated the giants of Gantua, a land high above in the clouds, between heaven and Earth.ĭuring a visit to the market to sell his mean uncle’s horse and cart, Jack defends the honor of Princess Isabelle (lovely Eleanor Tomlinson) who’s disguising herself as a commoner to get to know the residents of the kingdom. He started out playing the boy in “About a Boy” (remember his sweet version of “Killing Me Softly With His Song”?), and went on to play Hank McCoy/Beast in “X-Men: First Class” (a role he’ll reprise in 2014’s “X-Men: Days of Future Past”), and the sweet zombie R in “ Warm Bodies“ last month.Īs Jack, Hoult has that same loveably nerdy quality, not unlike his “About a Boy” co-star, Hugh Grant. Nicholas Hoult, who plays the humble farmhand Jack, is clearly the next big thing. Jack is tasked with slaying the giants in order to save the kingdom from whence he comes. It’s based, of course, on “Jack and the Beanstalk,” which we all remember from childhood, only with a “Buffy” slant.

Now we can add “Jack the Giant Slayer” to the list.

“Snow White,” “Red Riding Hood,” and “Mirror Mirror” are a few big screen adaptations. “Once Upon a Time,” “Grimm,” and “Beauty and the Beast” are a few current TV shows.

We’ve been deluged with fairytales on the big and small screens lately, and that’s fine with me. MPAA Rating: PG-13 for intense scenes of fantasy action violence, some frightening images and brief language.Ĭast: Nicholas Hoult, Eleanor Tomlinson, Ewan McGregor, Stanley Tucci, Eddie Marsan, Ian McShane, Ewen Bremner, Bill Nighy, Warwick Davis

Jack the giant killer wall