Francis Ford Coppola Addresses the Entire VFX Team’s Dismissal from Megalopolis

Visual effects (VFX) artists have praised the stunning visual effects featured in the 2013 film, Jack the Giant Slayer. This movie, starring Nicholas Hoult, who is the new Lex Luthor in the DC Universe, and Ewan McGregor of Star Wars fame, was a significant box office failure, grossing only $197 million against its nearly $200 million budget. The film is a modern twist on the classic “Jack and the Beanstalk” fairy tale, where Jack (played by Hoult) inadvertently opens a portal to a realm inhabited by fearsome giants. To protect his kingdom from these monstrous beings, Jack must team up with his allies.

In a detailed video analysis, Corridor Crew broke down the visual effects used in scenes featuring the imposing giants, commending the authenticity and detail achieved. They were particularly impressed by the realistic speed and detailed textures of the giants, noting that many onscreen creatures, such as zombies from The Walking Dead, often move slowly. However, the giants’ swift movements in Jack the Giant Slayer made them exceptionally terrifying and engaging to watch. This fast pace contributed to a sense of realism and added a unique twist to the depiction of these towering creatures. As Corridor Crew aptly put it:

“It’s an example of how fast someone of that scale can be. The fidelity of the texture work on the hands and knees is extreme, and that detail looks incredibly good. When they move quickly, it’s just way better. It’s the same with zombies. When they stop being slow, they get way scarier. Sixty-five giants, oh my God! That’s so sick! Conceptually, these fast-moving giants are something I would like to see more of.”

Despite the impressive visual effects, Jack the Giant Slayer did not fare well at the box office or with critics and general audiences. On Rotten Tomatoes, it received a 52% critical score and a 55% audience score. Critics pointed out that while the digital effects were noteworthy, they could not compensate for a lackluster and forgettable storyline. Even with endearing performances from Hoult and the rest of the cast, including Stanley Tucci, Ian McShane, Bill Nighy, and Eleanor Tomlinson, the film failed to leave a lasting impact.

General audience reviews were slightly more favorable, particularly praising the giants, sense of adventure, and darker take on the familiar fairy tale. However, significant criticism was directed at the film’s script, with weak dialogue and plot elements failing to support the fantasy film’s visual spectacle. Jack the Giant Slayer demonstrated that even with a star-studded cast and a substantial budget, reinventing a classic fairy tale does not guarantee success.

This outcome was especially disappointing given that just three years earlier, Tim Burton’s live-action remake of Alice in Wonderland had grossed over $1 billion worldwide. Jack the Giant Slayer did not replicate this success due to its negative reception and poor box office performance. Nevertheless, some of its visual effects remain impressive even a decade later, suggesting that despite its shortcomings, Jack the Giant Slayer has carved out its own niche legacy.

Jack the Giant Slayer is a fantasy adventure that follows Jack (Nicholas Hoult), a young farmer who embarks on a perilous mission to rescue Princess Isabelle (Eleanor Tomlinson) from a race of menacing giants. The film also features notable performances from Ewan McGregor, Stanley Tucci, Bill Nighy, and Ian McShane.

Directed by Bryan Singer and released on March 1, 2013, Jack the Giant Slayer had a runtime of 114 minutes and was produced with a budget ranging between $185-200 million. Despite its mixed reception and box office struggles, it remains a noteworthy attempt at reimagining a beloved fairy tale for modern audiences.