Welcoming A New Classic: THE BFG

Though I'm not much of a Steven Spielberg fan, I was charmed by THE BFG from start to finish. There's enough salt in Roald Dahl's original story to keep Spielberg's cloying tendencies at bay, but the film is also a textbook demonstration of how to properly use CGI - always to serve the story, never to drown it out. (Donna complained that the CG work wasn't 100% realistic, but I don't think this was one of its goals, nor should it have been. Imperfections lend a handmade quality; they are character.) Mark Rylance and Ruby Barnhill, both excellent - in fact, I hope that Rylance's splendid characterization will be acknowledged under his makeup when award season begins. He brings a preposterous character completely and warmly to life. One of Spielberg's finest films, a choice addition to the Dahl filmography. Time may well prove it among the most accomplished fantasy films in the English language.