JACK & THE BEANSTALK

REVIEWED BY CHARITY BISHOP

Our rating: 4 out of 5

Because of: language, violence, mild sensuality

Rated:

For a long time Hallmark has been convincing us the stories we heard as children aren't the real truth. They've come out with wonderful adaptations like Snow White, and Merlin, as well as The Snow Queen. Jack and the Beanstalk is one of their more unique adaptations, but when all is said and done, it's well worth remembering. Jack Robinson (Matthew Modine) is the last in a long line of businessmen, all who die inexplicably on or around their fortieth birthday. Each has a different story... a horse accident, a plane crash, a falling tree. But it's enough to give his high-paying insurance companies a real headache. In between the constant health exams, he manages a multi-billion dollar company. Their current aim is to build a casino in a little-known corner of England on the site of the family estate. But something inexplicable is happening... while digging the foundation, the builders turn up an enormous set of bones, and a freak lightning storm kills two of the workers.

Superstitious townspeople believe it to be a sign that the casino is wrongfully being built. Jack's second in command and godfather Sigfred Manheim (Jon Voight) insists the trouble can be quelled. But after an impromptu, mysterious visit from a strange young woman (Mia Sara) accusing him of murder, Jack determines to visit the site himself. What he discovers will set him on a search for a missing great aunt, and the true story behind his family's wealth. Are the Robinsons thieves and murders as the strange girl Ondine believes? Is there more to this fairy tale than first meets the eye? Countess Winifred (Vanessa Redgrave), who hasn't aged a day in forty years, may hold the key. But the story that she reveals to him is only a pale shadow of the truth. There must be something more. He must discover what before it's too late, and he is fated to the evil curse which takes the lives of all Jack Robinsons before their fortieth year.

Playing out part fact, part fantasy, Jack and the Beanstalk is actually a fun-filled adaptation with memorable characters and surprising plot twists. Vanessa Redgrave's narroration of the tale, intermingled with actual events as they happen, lends itself to a sinister and much emphasized sense of mystery. No one is all that they first appear, which is probably why I enjoyed it so much. Every character has another level of intrigue that slowly unfolds to reveal the true nature within. The psychological aspect of one particular plot twist is thought-provoking. Yes, the Jacks have suffered much of this curse... but someone else has suffered far worse.

The violence is limited to mainly some stick fighting and an implied beheading. There's one possible abuse of Jesus' name though it's slurred so it might have been merely "Geez," and a handful of mild profanities. The first Jack is shown sleeping in the same bed as a young woman he's known only for a few days. Singfred at one point is shown in his room talking on the phone while a beautiful vixen (properly dressed) awaits him on the bed. The much awaited kiss between the two leads makes quite the impression. My reaction was much like Jacks: "Wow." On a minor note, a definitely fake-looking effect is put into play as sheep are herded into a giant oven; the giant later bites into one (the shot is blocked, but it's a bit gross). 

At first I wasn't sure about the creepiness of the narrorat0r and her surroundings, but it turns out well. Given the ability to see both sides of the story, the ending is a happy one and the adventure not taken lightly. Brian Henson, responsible for many of the Muppet adaptations, has gone with a unique style of filmmaking that suits the fairy tale landscape. At times some of the special effects falter and the acting is not always up to par but it's a good family escape for a weeknight, provided you send the younger children to bed.