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| Our new writer John reviews the graphic novel to film translation of I Kill Giants. |
Your early teens are often a time of
great confusion and angst. I Kill Giants clearly represents that
through menacing giant creatures, and Elder Scroll style potions, yet
as mythical as it all sounds the film doesn't stray far from the
gorgeous seaside town it takes place in.
Set in an unnamed gloomy New England
town, I Kill Giants (directed by 2014 Oscar winner for best short
film Anders Walter) is a different coming of age film. Based on the critically acclaimed
graphic novels of the same name, the film does a great job in not
straying far from some of the scenes in the original source material.
Starting off slow at first, the film's
scenery and cinematography are enough to draw you in. The grey pebble
beaches and the dark forests of the coast are where we first meet
young Barbara (Madison Wolfe) who with her mismatched clothing and
her adorable bunny ears, packs enough no-nonsense sass into one
little girl that it won't leave you wondering why she stars in a film
where killing giants is literally in the title.
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| I'm 'bout to mess up some giants, y'all! |
Barbara lives with her hardworking
sister Karen, played by Imogen Poots, who spends her time between her
work and home, and her video game loving brothers. Spending time
honing her dungeon and dragon skills, Baraba deals with all things
typical of your middle school coming-of-age movie including bullies
and other middle school antics, during which we meet a young girl
named Sophia (Sydney Wade), whose quiet English posh mixes well with
Barbara's abrasive outgoing nature.
Ditching her Guardians of the Galaxy
garb for a quiet job at a school, Zoe Saldana — perhaps the biggest
name in the film— plays the character of Mrs, Molle, and is a
familiar face in a film where you may not recognize any of the
actors.
While entertaining, I Kill Giants is
confusing at times, and somewhat hard to follow as some scenes
involve characters talking while a different character is on screen,
which can get confusing but is not enough to ruin the overall film.
In the end, the movie is about overcoming personal struggles within
oneself. Madison Wolfe steals the show during every scene she's in
while portraying this.
For anyone overcoming their own
personal demons, I Kill Giants is an entertaining and relatable piece
that I would recommend to anyone. Given its atmosphere and feel, The
film's overall setting makes it best enjoyed on a rainy day.
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