The BFG movie just came out and we got a chance to see it. As a kid, I loved to read! Some of my favorite authors were Judy Blume, C.S. Lewis, Roald Dahl, and growing up in the 80’s, I LOVED the Nancy Drew series. I loved fantastical stories, such as Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, James and the Giant Peach, and books about being a kid, such as Tales of the Fourth Grade Nothing, by Judy Blume. When I heard that Steven Spielberg was going to be involved in the creation of the movie, The BFG, I was really excited! Who else would be better at directing a fantastical story than the man who brought us E.T.? My 80’s inner child has been squealing with delight in anticipation of watching the movie!
On Monday, Mr. Bear, Allie Kat, and I went to see the movie and didn’t know quite what to expect. While I’ve read nearly all of Dahl’s classic kids’ books, The BFG wasn’t one of them. The story is about a little girl named Sophie, who lives at an orphanage. She is a little girl who likes to read and sneak through the halls of the orphanage late at night. Little Sophie has insomnia.
The story follows Sophie through the halls of the computer animated orphanage the first few minutes of the movie. We learn a lot about Sophie in those first few minutes—her fear of the boogeyman, that she’s full of spunk and spirit, and that she doesn’t quite enjoy being at the orphanage. Now, enters BFG. When Sophie sees BFG, he snatches her up and carries her off to Giantland—a horrible place!
The story is about an unlikely friendship, about bravery, standing up for yourself, and reminds us that things aren’t always what they appear. We learn that BFG is bullied by the giants he lives with. We learn he is kind and loving. It reminds us that we’re more similar than we are different.
I may be a big sap, but I thought the movie was sweet and it made me cry. I love BFG because he’s so charming, in spite of all his flaws. The BFG reminds us to hold on to our dreams and believe. Sophia teaches us to be brave.
The computer graphics of the movie were amazing! Allie thought that BFG was an actual actor. She hadn’t realized that he was altered with CG. It was a beautifully done movie and loved it! I learned that The BFG started as a bedtime story for Dahl’s own granddaughter Sophie and later became a book. I love the very personal aspects of this bedtime story turned book, turned movie.
The BFG is a likable character. He says things, “squiggly” when he tries to talk and makes up his own words when he can’t think of the right word. He calls farts, “whizzpoppers” and likes to drink “frobscottle,” which fizzes down, instead of up, and can bring on a healthy case of whizzpoppers.
The movie is so cute! It’s great when childhood classic stories from my youth turn into movies and then can be shared with my own daughter. This is a simple movie, with very simple themes, and I think it’s great for the whole family.
Check out the trailer for The BFG:
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Are you planning on seeing this movie? Who are you going to see it with? Who was YOUR favorite childhood author? What dreams would you like to follow?
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