Nicholas Hoult plays a fine Jack: He's dumb as a post but likable, not to mention unbelievably pretty. Pretty, dumb, and likable essentially sets the tone for Jack the Giant Slayer. We get all the standard reinvented-fairy-tale elements, including a brash young princess in search of adventure, an evil sleazebag betrothed to said princess, and an army of evil CGI giants. There are no surprises, but a few moments—especially the first tense scene that reveals the giant—are notably well-crafted. It's inoffensive and entirely forgettable, but it crams in enough rock-headed charm and SFX wizardry to pass the time. (PAUL CONSTANT)