I Kill Giants (Review)

I Kill Giants is Light on Giants, but Heavy on Heart.

I Kill Giants is the most recent comic book to get the big screen adaptation. Unlike Black Panther or Justice League, the hero of this story doesn’t wear tights. However, she does have her own unique style complete with bunny ears that never seem to leave her head. This is not a story about a superhero, rather it’s a story about a girl learning to face her fears and that she just might be stronger than she thinks.

Barbra (Madison Wolfe) is a loner. That weird kid that seems to be a magnet for every bully in school. Luckily, she’s not just a weirdo, but a tough as nails weirdo, because what those mean girls at school don’t know is that she protects her small town by killing giants. In a lot of ways, Barbra is fearless, but she’s also incredibly fragile and lonely. Despite her quest to be a great warrior, her life is falling apart. That is until she makes her first friend (Sydney Wade) and finds a therapist that actually gives a damn about trying to help her no matter how hard Barbra resists (Zoe Saldana).

Based on the comics by Joe Kelly, I Kill Giants is a movie that makes you question the reality it takes place in. There’s no doubt that Barbra believes that there are giants out there trying to come for the town, but she seems to be the only one able to see them. Evidence though seems to point to her not being as delusional as everyone seems to think she is though, and soon the movie has you questioning what’s real and what isn’t. Is Barbra really the protector of this small town, facing off against menacing creatures only she can see? Or is she a teenager facing the very real possibility that trauma has fractured her mind? Luckily, there’s no straight answer to these questions and I Kill Giants lets the audience make up their minds when it comes to that.

I’ll admit that I didn’t read the comics that this film is based on (though now I have the full intention of ordering them as soon as I can). So, it was not nearly as exciting and action-packed as I thought it might be from the trailer. However, what it lacked in epic battle sequences (there are still a few) it made up for with heart. You can’t help but connect with Barbara. She’s a girl who is constantly bullied but refuses to back down. This causes her to keep everyone at an arm’s length though because as she puts it she “can’t stand stupid people.” This though is a front, as she struggles to deal with a turmoil of emotions that stem from a rough home life, constantly butting heads with those around her, and just plan teenage angst. There’s such depth to the character, and Madison Wolfe manages to portray all those emotions beautifully.

There are a lot of layers to I Kill Giants. On the surface, it’s a fantasy tale about a teen taking on an adventure bigger than themselves. Below that it’s a story about a girl struggling to face her fears and insecurities as she grows into a woman. Even further down, it tackles how a mind can shape reality and the perils of letting imagination form the cornerstone of coping with problems. Needless to say, there is a lot going on in this movie and it’s far from your typical light-hearted comic book blockbuster.

Speaking of which, I Kill Giants is hardly a big budget movie. However, it never overextends itself. The giants that do appear are remarkably designed and look fantastic on the big screen. The epic final battle (which may or may not have happened) is a sight to behold, even if it does play out in the way you would think a child would imagine it. Still, it all works in the world these characters inhabit. Director Anders Walters never overindulges the audience and only shows them what they absolutely need to see. It’s a fickle game he plays, but it’s one I can respect because it absolutely works.

If you’re expecting an adventurous romp through a fantasy world, then you will be sorely disappointed in I Kill Giants. However, if you want a movie with a lot of heart that knows it’s characters and is invested in their story more than the giants they’re chasing, then this is a great movie. As I said before, it’s not what I was expecting when I sat down to watch it, but I’m glad I got a chance to. Barbara is such a rich and powerful character, and I’m glad I got to see her story unfold.