Good Movie

Rating: Null/10 (19 December 1999)

I liked this movie. I try to be objective about it, but at least part of me likes this movie because it's an animated feature that isn't Disney and doesn't conform to the horrible and (at least i think) destructive formula that Disney has decided that our children are best served.
This movie had brilliant visual effects. Beautiful, awe-inspiring, altogether wonderful visuals. Some nice touches of realism too (Hogarth being knocked down into the giant's palm as the giant stood up was a nice touch). The voice talent was excellent on all fronts, and the direction, just wow.
That being said, I have to take exception with the ending. The ending took an incredibly powerful scene of personal sacrifice and goodness and just plain cheapened it. The natural theme of the story is heroism. The giant's heroic act, which would have perfectly completed the movie, was near ruined by the final scene.
It almost seems like the ending was tacked on after the story was complete, because otherwise, I really don't see any point for the dialogue about souls not dying. It seems like this was meant to soften the blow of the giant's sacrifice, but because of that (insert expletive) last scene there's no sacrifice to lessen!
So, when I watch this movie, I find it best to stop the tape right after the statue scene and pretend the rest never happened.
The only other issue I have with the movie (and it's a small one) is the hunter scene. Those hunters are put in a bad light for killing the innocent little deer, and if they were sport hunting, they should be put in a bad light, but if they were food hunting, I think the movie was overly harsh on them. Though we like to pretend we aren't, we are still a species that kills animals to eat and survive.
Overall, though, a real good movie. Highly recommended, etc, etc. Just think about the ending a bit before you swallow the happy pill.
thanks for listening, joe