Voices: BFG – Mark Rylance, (Hindi – Amitabh Bachchan);
Sophie – Ruby Barnhill, (Hindi – Parineeti Chopra).

OK. So it’s just a coincidence. The BFG (Big Friendly Giant) novel on which this family fantasy film is based was written by Roald Dahl in 1982, the same year in which the Steven Spielberg-directed and highly acclaimed ET was made.

11-year-old Sophie’s life changes when the 24 ft. BFG snatches her, literally, from her orphanage and transports her to Giant Country. The herbivorous and benevolent BFG, who harvests dreams, is himself in awe of other human-eating 54 ft. ogres – Fleshlumpeater, Bloodbottler and seven others.

Our protagonist Sophie trusts BFG enough to want to live with him and later, with his help, to vanquish the nine behemoths who pose a danger to children. And when Sophie gets the Queen of England involved, the viewer is ensured a pleasing ending to the film.

The biggest dream harvester – and dispenser – here is Spielberg who, in his first directorial venture for Walt Disney Pictures, gives us a fantasy adventure fit for kids and grown-ups alike. Sophie’s and BFG’s oneupmanship with the big, burly and brain-dead giants is something kids would revel in.

It is escapist fare. With the right element of humour, the film manages somewhat to shake off the tardiness and scrappiness associated with fantasy films of late. Amitabh’s voiceover for BFG is passable while Parineeti Chopra as the 11-year-old Sophie impresses. This dubbed version is definitely a couple