Jack and the Beanstalk: The Real Story

Corporate head Jack Robinson is about to discover that fairytales are very real in this revisionist take on `Jack and the Beanstalk'.

The film starts off well, with Jack (Matthew Modine) discovering that life isn't as straightforward as he thought. A nice atmosphere is created as a mysterious woman, Ondine (Mia Sara looking very cute), appears dropping dire hints as to his family's secret. Eventually Jack discovers the truth behind his wealth, and finds out that it is up to him to put things right.

The `real world' segments of this movie tend to work best, as Jack struggles to come to terms with his discovery that fairy tales are true, with the `fantasy land' segments - mainly due to some variable effects - actually detracting from the sense of wonder. While most of the performances are fine (though Modine occasionally seems to be playing Scott Bakula), the guy playing the original Jack is fairly dire.

What really makes the story work is the idea that fairy tales are history dressed up to be palatable to us (and of course not necessarily reliably related history), and the way that we might exploit magic if it were available to us.

Well worth a watch for fantasy/fairy tale fans, or if you liked the superior `The 10th Kingdom'.

this mini series was a complete winner from start to finish! a wonderful, imaginative retelling of the old fairy tale, that does a great job of imagining an alternate beginning and then adding a great storyline to help finish it out. the special effects were wonderful, including the creatures from the henson studio workroom. an excellent visualization of the world atop the beanstalk, and the rulers of their world. it was tied in very well with the modern world, and Matthew Modine made for a very likable Jack, who tries to make things right again. Mia Sara as Ondine once again shows that she is best used in a longer premise where she has room to flesh out her character. her acting has definitely improved since Timecop, and she is as beautiful as ever, if not more so!

I liked this quite a bit, despite a bit of a slow pace and general lack of umpth in the direction and editing. The cast are mostly good, the characters are all given time to get involved in the mystery and their actions and choices drive the story along. Some of the sets look pretty good, not all of them but it mostly works. The story unfolds slowly and I do mean slowly giving you limited information so that the story only unfolds gradually. I think I did prefer the first half the best. A few little elements bothered me like a character in the 1600s shows up with obviously modern glasses but nobody thinks it odd, hes also strong enough to overpower a man much bigger and younger than him. The overall tone I found slightly downbeat though Jon Voight is in full comic panto mode which is such a weird contrast. Its in the second half the problems begin a bit the strange world above inhabitants with magic creatures but also geese and horses, where do the people get their clothing and weapons from? How do they know about Christmas pudding? Why are there all these random deities as giants. Why are the giants randomly so trusting and helpless? How would they survive like that? Several performances just aren't good either I'm afraid. It's does have a very well done 3 act structure though with a solid climax and a love story that's not too badly done.

Overall I didn't care all too much though about the characters which isn't great when its 3 hours long.

When I saw the listing for this film I imagined that it would be another network fantasy movie crap fest. The casting of Sara and Modine caused me to tape it and give it a look. As expected the fantasy land odd folk are bland, rather it is the "real world" segments that are magical (and literate). Sara (as fantasy land emissary) and Modine are perfect together.

This is a great movie so far! I've just seen the first night. I'm going to see Part 2 tomorrow night! It's so exciting! And...kind of...twisted? Could I put it? It just had so many...BLAH! There's no way to put it into words! It's an excellent fiction meets fantasy mini-series! In a few words...JUST WATCH IT! 10/10