Barbara Thorson is a troubled teen living on the coast of Long Island. Her brother is annoying and her older sister Karen (Imogen Poots) struggles as the new head of the household. She escapes her reality into a fantasy world where she's a giant killer. She's obsessed with an obscure old time baseball player. New girl Sophia from Britain tries to befriend this strange loner. At school, she's bullied by big girl Taylor and school psychiatrist Mrs. Mollé (Zoe Saldana) is concerned.
I generally like this character and this overall story. I like the battle with the bully. There are a few drawbacks which keep me from fully embracing it. Nevertheless, this is a good solid indie fantasy and much better YA than many of its bigger brethren. It has nice ambition even if it's not executed perfectly. I would make Sophia a bigger role. She should be the second character. I know Saldana is the big star but Sophia is naturally the bigger role. They should have more time together. Their closer connection would make her betrayal more powerful. As for the giants, they should be represented in the real world somehow. Barbara should be tilting at windmills in actuality and that would be more compelling. Her battle with the giants should have real world consequences. Her victories should mean victories in the physical world. There is a victory of sorts emotionally but that's not enough. It should be connected to her mother's sickness and her victory should stop others from suffering the same fate. This needs to connect so the payoff would multiply exponential. As it stand, it's a nice little movie.
I generally like this character and this overall story. I like the battle with the bully. There are a few drawbacks which keep me from fully embracing it. Nevertheless, this is a good solid indie fantasy and much better YA than many of its bigger brethren. It has nice ambition even if it's not executed perfectly. I would make Sophia a bigger role. She should be the second character. I know Saldana is the big star but Sophia is naturally the bigger role. They should have more time together. Their closer connection would make her betrayal more powerful. As for the giants, they should be represented in the real world somehow. Barbara should be tilting at windmills in actuality and that would be more compelling. Her battle with the giants should have real world consequences. Her victories should mean victories in the physical world. There is a victory of sorts emotionally but that's not enough. It should be connected to her mother's sickness and her victory should stop others from suffering the same fate. This needs to connect so the payoff would multiply exponential. As it stand, it's a nice little movie.