BFG: Big Friendly Giant, The

Based on the book by Roald Dahl, The BFG: Big Friendly Giant is an imaginative tale filled with magic, wonder, and unexpected friendship. A young girl named Sophie is launched on an enormous adventure when she crosses paths with a mysterious being called the Big Friendly Giant. The BGF is considered an outcast by the other giants because, unlike them, he refuses to eat children. (Gary Reber)

Special features include the featurettes: Bringing The BFG To Life (HD 27:09), The Big Friendly Giant And Me (HD 01:55), Gobblefunk: The Wonderful Words Of The BFG (HD 03:16), Giants 101 (HD 04:57), and Melissa Mathison: A Tribute (HD 05:54); an upfront preview; and a digital copy.

The 2.39:1 1080p AVC picture was digitally captured using the Arri Alexa XT camera system. The Panavision® picture exhibits a wonderfully rich and warm color palette in an extraordinary dream country of absolutely intriguing giants, photographed by Janusz Kaminski. The production design is incredible. Hues are impressively natural. Fleshtones are perfectly natural both on Sophie and the giants. The greens in the dream catching scene are illuminating and fascinating. Lighting magic is totally amazing against a backdrop of a large, sprawling tree. Contrast is impressively well balanced with excellent shadow delineation. Resolution is incredible throughout with very fine detail revealed in facial features, hair, clothing, and object textures. Yet the imagery is very cinematic with tons of colorful warmth. The lighting effects for the dreams bounce and fly through the air with a magical flair. This picture is full of awe and wonderment. This is one of those rare, exceptionally beautiful motion pictures that mesmerize and tickle the visual senses. Every frame is reference quality. This will please and enthrall those of all ages. It is absolutely spectacular “bellypoppin'” exciting. (Gary Reber)

The DTS-HD Master Audio™ 7.1-channel soundtrack is also wonderful, with a terrific dynamic presence of varied sonic nuances. Atmospherics enhance the realism of the period, set in England, with the characters speaking in a heavy west country accent. Sound effects are great also, especially in regards to the movements of the giants, which are punctuated with deep, shaking .1 LFE bass. Foley elements are nicely nuanced and articulated throughout. Dialogue is consistently intelligible, with good spatial integration, All throughout there is the virtually constant beautiful orchestral score by John Williams, with a wide and deep sound stage that extends aggressively to the surrounds. Surround envelopment is aggressive throughout, with excellent and impressive directionality. Nuanced sonics and music requires a completely quiet home theatre environment to fully appreciate the creatively of the sound design. The added two surrounds really enhance the wonderful holosonic® spatially. This a really spectacular soundtrack that is reference in quality and one that will impress everyone who experiences it. (Gary Reber)