While at the Moana Press Junket in Los Angeles, which included the Red Carpet Premiere of the movie, we had the fun opportunity to interview Lucy Dahl, daughter of The BFG author, Roald Dahl. This was in anticipation of the release of The BFG on Blu-Ray DVD November 29. I was so excited to have an opportunity to review an early copy – here’s what you can expect:
The BFG {Big Friendly Giant}: The Movie
Having been a long-time Roald Dahl fan, I was thrilled to get to see The BFG in the theaters this summer. In anticipation of the movie, my youngest son & I read the book together (the older two would always drift in to listen to me read it too!). So we were very excited to see our Big Friendly Giant come to life on the big screen.
Based on the much-loved tale of Giants & Dreams, The BFG was directed by the amazing Steven Spielberg and starred Academy Award-winner Mark Rylance and Ruby Barnhill. The story opens with Sophie catching The BFG outside her window and he takes her back home with him, to Giant Country. While most of the Giants prefer to “guzzle human beans”, The BFG only wants to create dreams for them. The story unfolds with Sophie & The BFG stopping the rest of the giants from eating all the boys & girls of England, enlisting the help of the Queen and her Royal Army.
We had the opportunity to watch The BFG again as a family over the Thanksgiving break and we loved it even more the second time. I felt the movie was beautifully done. I just loved the sizable difference between Sophie & The BFG (and his home) yet how the filmmakers made it seem so seamless. Although there are differences from the story to the movie, the adaptation was so well done. It was everything I had imagined it to be and more.
And for those who had not read the book, The BFG is a fun movie. It’s colorful and imaginative and funny at some points. You really don’t need to have read the story to love the movie.
The BFG {Big Friendly Giant}: Bonus Features
The BFG Blu-Ray had some great bonus features that tell more about Dahl’s story and how the movie came to life. To me, this is the real reason to buy the DVD. Beyond loving the movie (which you will), learning how it was created is so cool! Here’s what you will get:
Bringing The BFG to Life
Ruby Barnhill, who plays Sophie hosts this documentary of the making of The BFG. You will hear fascinating interviews with Roald Dahl’s daughter Lucy Dahl, screenwriter Melissa Mathison, and executive producers Kathleen Kennedy, Frank Marshall and Kristie Macoskjo Krueger. It was very interesting to hear how much work was put into bringing The BFG to screen.
The Big Friendly Giant and Me
The BFG had a guest visit Giant Country before Sophie and we get a glimpse of them through the illustrations left on the walls of the room Sophie stays in. This short brings the drawings to life with animation and narration, telling the heart-warming story of the boy & The BFG.
Gobblefunk: The Wonderful Words of The BFG
One of the most endearing characteristics of The BFG is his inventive, colorful language – full of fun words like “wizzbangers” and “whoopsy spelunkers”. The Blu-Ray DVD offers this tutorial on the meaning of all the crazy gobblefunk.
Giants 101
Jermaine Clement, who plays Fleshlumpeater and Bill Hader, who plays Bloodbottler, take us behind-the-scenes, showing us exactly how the giants in The BFG were created and morphed on film.
Melissa Mathison: A Tribute
This is a wonderful tribute to the amazing screenwriter, Melissa Mathison, whose last work was The BFG.
John Williams: Scoring a Dream
My youngest son is in love with John Williams. No joke, he asked for John Williams soundtracks for Christmas last year! So I was really excited to show him this bonus feature so he could see & learn about his hero in action.
The BFG Blu-Ray DVD is available November 29, 2016
The BFG Blu-Ray DVD is THE HOLIDAY movie to buy your children, your nieces & nephews, & your grandchildren. It is such a beautiful story & movie, it makes for a terrific family movie to watch during the holiday downtime. It is available to purchase today, so pick up a copy for yourself.
Other Articles from the Moana, The BFG Blu-ray Event, ABC TV Event & Stuck in the Middle Event you may enjoy:
I’m Heading to the #MoanaEvent
Walk the Moana Red Carpet with Me
She’s Not a Princess Mom, She’s a Hero!
Exclusive Interview with Moana’s Maui, The Rock
That Time I Met Musical Genius Lin-Manuel Miranda
Exclusive Interview with Moana’s Auli’i Carvalho
A Conversation with the Cast of Disney Channel’s Stuck in the Middle
Holiday Gift Guide for Moana: Moana-Inspired Gifts
The BFG Blu-Ray: A Perfect Holiday Gift
Behind the Scenes on the Set of Speechless
A Conversation with The BFG Roald Dahl’s Daughter, Lucy Dahl
Behind the Scenes on the Set of ABC’s Dr. Ken
Nicole Scherzinger Had To Play the Role of Moana’s Mother
6 Fun Facts About Moana from Directors Ron Musker & John Clements
Disclaimer: Disney sent me to Los Angeles on an all-expenses paid press trip, in exchange for my coverage of the red carpet premiere of Moana. All opinions are my own.
