Spielberg and legendary cinematographer Janusz Kamiński bathe the film in a soft, golden haze. Giant Country feels like a half-remembered dream—misty, glowing, and slightly off-kilter. The scenes of the BFG running through London at night, leaping over rooftops, or delicately catching dreams from marshmallow-like trees are pure visual poetry.

Steven Spielberg, the master of cinematic wonder, turns his lens toward the beloved Roald Dahl classic in The BFG —a visually sumptuous and surprisingly tender tale of an unlikely friendship between a lonely girl and a big-hearted giant. Released in 2016, the film is a gorgeous, if leisurely, adaptation that prioritizes atmosphere and emotion over high-octane adventure, resulting in a dreamy lullaby of a movie.

The BFG is not without its flaws. The pacing is deliberately slow, which may test the patience of younger viewers accustomed to faster storytelling. The middle section, while beautiful, meanders through dream-catching sequences that, though lovely, lack narrative urgency. Furthermore, the final act’s shift to Buckingham Palace—while delightfully silly (featuring a flatulent Queen and dreamy military parades)—feels abrupt, almost as if the film changes genres from gothic fairy tale to royal farce in its final twenty minutes.

★★★½ (3.5/5)

There, Sophie discovers a world of upside-down reflections, frobscottle (a drink that causes floating “whizzpoppers”), and a library of captured dreams. Their peaceful coexistence is threatened by the existence of nine terrifying, people-eating brutes led by the megalomaniacal Fleshlumpeater (Jemaine Clement). To stop the giants from invading England, Sophie and the BFG must embark on a daring mission to recruit the most powerful ally they can think of: Queen Victoria herself.

Young Ruby Barnhill holds her own opposite the Oscar-winner, bringing a fierce intelligence and bravery to Sophie that grounds the fantastical elements. The duo’s chemistry is undeniable, their quiet conversations forming the film’s emotional core.

The BFG (2016) Director: Steven Spielberg Starring: Mark Rylance, Ruby Barnhill, Penelope Wilton, Jemaine Clement, Rebecca Hall, Rafe Spall Based on the novel by: Roald Dahl

“I is your friend, Sophie. And I will never let you go.”