Movie Type: Fantasy Adventure, Fairy Tales & Legends
Themes: Mythical Creatures, Fantasy Lands
Release Year: 2001
Country: US
Run Time: 184 minutes
Plot
Wealthy businessman Jack Robinson (Matthew Modine) is building a new casino on the site of the family castle in England when the construction crew makes a startling discovery: They find the skeleton of a gigantic human being. Soon, foul weather and natural disasters occur at an unnatural rate. Countess Wilhelmina (Vanessa Redgrave) tells Jack that he's related to young Jack (J.J. Feild) who, 400 years ago, climbed a vine into the sky and came back with a goose that lays golden eggs and a harp that can play itself. Disbelieving, Jack encounters the lovely Ondine (Mia Sara), a mysterious woman who says she's 10,000 years old and that the evil weather can be stopped -- in fact, the world can be saved -- if Jack goes to the land in the sky with her to stand trial for his ancestor. ~ Buzz McClain, All Movie Guide
Review
What if the Jack and the beanstalk saga were true? It's a fascinating starting point for a special effects fantasy, but at 184 minutes, and even with top-notch effects shots every few seconds, there's a lot of padding in the story. The first half sets up the story well enough, introducing Jack and his ancestors before flashing back to young Jack's familiar "fee-fi-fo-fum" fairytale and showing the menacing giant (played by co-writer Bill Baretta). There's a nifty twist in the second half (the giant gets his side of the story told), but an elaborate trial sequence involving a tribunal of costumed giants (including Daryl Hannah in a frightening ice queen frock) in front of thousands of computer animated spectators bogs things down a mite, not to mention a momentum-diverting subplot involving the cloning of the goose that lays golden eggs (it is an interesting idea, however). ~ Buzz McClain, All Movie Guide
Brian Henson - Director, Brian Henson - Executive Producer, Rupert Gregson Williams - Composer (Music Score), John Fenner - Cinematographer, Thomas G. Smith - Producer, Martin G. Baker - Producer, Jim V. Hart - Screen Story, Brian Henson - Screen Story, Bill Barretta - Screenwriter
