Common Sense Media Review
By Sandie Angulo Chen
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Fantasy violence eased by humor in tween-friendly adventure.
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Jack the Giant Slayer
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 16 parent reviews
Based on 46 kid reviews
Kids say that this movie features a blend of fantasy and violence that can be both thrilling and disturbing, particularly for younger viewers. Many recommend it for ages 10 and up due to its intense scenes, with mixed opinions on its overall quality and appeal, citing a weak plot and uneven pacing.
- violence intensity
- age recommendations
- mixed quality opinions
- fantasy elements
- viewer suitability
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
JACK THE GIANT SLAYER retells the old English fairy tale about a farm boy named Jack (Nicholas Hoult) who grows up hearing the legend of King Erik, who defeated giants of Gantua, a land between heaven and Earth. While at market to sell his uncle's horse and cart, Jack meets and defends the honor of Princess Isabelle (who's disguised as a commoner) and sells his horse to a desperate monk, who gives Jack a sack of beans and the promise of treasure if he keeps them safe. After Isabelle (Eleanor Tomlinson) escapes the palace for an adventure and ends up at Jack's farm, one of the beans accidentally gets wet and shoots up -- Jack's farm and the princess along with it. The king (Ian McShane) dispatches his head guardian, Elmont (Ewan McGregor), to climb the stalk, and Jack, now smitten with Isabelle, volunteers to join the rescue. But their mission is thwarted by the king's counselor (and Isabelle's betrothed), Roderick (Stanley Tucci), who wants to use an ancient crown to rule the giants and the kingdom below it.
Is It Any Good?
The Princess Bride this is not. Yes, there's a compellingly duplicitous villain in Roderick and the understandably vengeful giants, but there's not much character development or clever dialogue, or even a particularly epic romance. The special effects and the scatological humor make it obvious that this fantasy is aimed at tween boys -- the only members of an audience who would laugh at a giant picking and then eating his own booger.
At least the leads are likable enough. Hoult, who also starred in the much more memorable Warm Bodies, is a talented young leading man, and Tomlinson is luminous and regal as the adventure-seeking princess. But neither their charm nor the rest of the impressive cast can fully overcome the film's weaknesses. The CGI eye candy will keep tweens and teens entertained, but in the end, for a movie about giants, there's not much weight to this spectacle.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Jack the Giant Slayer compares to other versions of the tale. Were you surprised at how it compares to the Jack and the Beanstalk tale you remember?
There's a lot of fantasy violence in the movie. Do you think the movie would have been more appropriate for younger kids if fewer people had been shown dead/dying/killed? What purpose, if any, does the violence serve?
Why is the idea of a peasant falling in love with a royal so compelling? Was the romance in this story believable? What did Jack and Isabelle have in common, despite the difference in their status?
Movie Details
- In theaters : March 1, 2013
- On DVD or streaming : June 18, 2013
- Cast : Ewan McGregor , Nicholas Hoult , Stanley Tucci
- Director : Bryan Singer
- Inclusion Information : Bisexual Movie Director(s)
- Studio : Warner Bros.
- Genre : Fantasy
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic , Fairy Tales ) , Adventures , Book Characters
- Run time : 115 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : intense scenes of fantasy action violence, some frightening images and brief language
- Last updated : September 30, 2025
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