It may not be 3 a.m., but it is the witching hour, because Disney and Amblin Entertainment have released the first trailer for Steven Spielberg’s The BFG, based on the beloved children’s book by Roald Dahl. A teaser hinted at the magic to come when a Big Friendly Giant brings a little girl to Giant Country, but now you get your first look at the BFG himself (voiced by Mark Rylance).
For those of you who haven’t read the book since childhood, here’s the synopsis:
The BFG (Mark Rylance), while a giant himself, is a Big Friendly Giant and nothing like the other inhabitants of Giant Country. Standing 24-feet tall with enormous ears and a keen sense of smell, he is endearingly dim-witted and keeps to himself for the most part. Giants like Bloodbottler (Bill Hader) and Fleshlumpeater (Jemaine Clement) on the other hand, are twice as big and at least twice as scary and have been known to eat humans, while the BFG prefers Snozzcumber and Frobscottle. Upon her arrival in Giant Country, Sophie, a precocious 10-year-old girl from London, is initially frightened of the mysterious giant who has brought her to his cave, but soon comes to realize that the BFG is actually quite gentle and charming, and, having never met a giant before, has many questions. The BFG brings Sophie to Dream Country where he collects dreams and sends them to children, teaching her all about the magic and mystery of dreams.
Having both been on their own in the world up until now, their affection for one another quickly grows. But Sophie’s presence in Giant Country has attracted the unwanted attention of the other giants, who have become increasingly more bothersome.
While Dahl’s story is charming, the movie looks a little overly flashy, with soaring music and CGI that veers into the uncanny valley, Polar Express-style. Watch for yourself:
The BFG comes to theaters July 1.
