A giant bore.

In 1952, the latest Abbott and Costello feature was Jack and the Beanstalk. It was, naturally, a retelling of the famous fairy tale featuring the decades most popular comedians. It wasn't a very good film, but if I recall Lou and Bud had their moments. Other than Arthur Shields, the cast were mostly unknowns. The budget was under $700,000. The reason  am telling you this is that 65 years later Warner Brothers has released a multi-million dollar film called Jack the Giant Slayer, another retelling of the beanstalk story.  While the film may have appeal to undiscriminating children, I found it tedious, badly directed, and—as one critic so wisely put it—soulless.  This despite attractive leads, great special effects, and lavish sets and costume. So, this isn't actually a movie review, it's a complaint: Why should a B programmer filmed in 1952, which isn't all that good, still be more entertaining than a major Hollywood feature filmed 61 years later?

Note: Jack and the Beanstalk, like the Wizard of Oz, begins in sepiatone and changes to color.