If you were to ask any stranger on the street to name a film director, the most likely person to be named is Steven Spielberg. He has become essentially the biggest household name in the industry, with a career spanning over forty years.

We can all name his classics, and even if we like some more than others, each are appreciated and adored by audiences year after year. From the childhood splendor of “ET: Extra Terrestrial” to the grit and grind of war in “Saving Private Ryan”, his diverse resume offers audiences films of a multitude of tones and genres.

We can forget about Crystal Skull though.

The most impressive part about Spielberg, who turns 70 later this year, is that he continues to deliver even today. His latest effort “The BFG”, which is based on Roald Dahl’s classic novel, is yet another impressive entry in his resume of perfection, further solidifying him as an all-time great director.

“The BFG” follows Sophie (Ruby Barnhill), an orphaned girl who one night spots a giant. Unlike most giants that would gobble humans in an instant, this one, known as The BFG (Mark Rylance) takes her into safety. As the two form a friendship, they team up to stop the other mean-spirited giants in the land.

Going into the theater unaware of the beloved material and unimpressed by the vague trailers, I honestly did not have have very high expectations. However, the film surprises off the gate by being very traditional in its approach. Unlike most family films that favor broad comedy, “The BFG” is very patient in setting up its characters and situations. There is an air of mystery that get audiences intrigued from the start. That’s not to say the film does not have its humor, with one London-set scene in particular being one of the year’s funniest moments.

In an era in which high-grade visuals are the standard, this is one of the rare films to actually impress me with its effects. The blend between animation and live-action is quite seamless, with backgrounds and characters truly meshing with perfection. It also helps a great deal to have a visionary like Spielberg behind the camera, with the action onscreen captured with a swiftness and sense of purpose. The way the camera effortlessly weaves is beyond impressive and makes for a neat stylistic treat.

What has made Spielberg a legend is his focus on substance alongside his dynamic style. The heart and soul of “The BFG” is the relationship between Sophie and the lovable BFG. Both Ruby Barnhill and Mark Rylance have a great rapport together, with their relationship growing in a very naturalistic way. Most of the film is very conversational, with our two lovable characters growing and finding their own strength. There is a level of emotional complexion to these characters which is quite nice to see in a family film.

The great shame in it all is most the headlines one would find about the film is how poorly it performed at the box office this past week. Despite being directed by Spielberg, many have tossed the film as a lesser-rendition of his, in which reality we should be accepting towards all of his projects. Audiences should appreciate the works of his and other aged vets like Woody Allen while we can, as we’re going to miss their work dearly when they retire.

“The BFG” is a true delight from start to finish, a rare big budget summer film that takes a patience approach to its narrative and characters. In the end, that patience pays off, with the final product being an incredibly sweet and rewarding flick, that still delivers a great deal of entertainment. Certainly one of my favorite films of the summer and yet another solid entry in Spielberg’s legendary resume.

Rating: 8.5/10