“Jack the Giant Slayer” is a clever spin on a familiar fairy tale, full of carnage and mayhem with a pinch of self-awareness.

It never takes itself too seriously but is all the more fun for it.

Nicholas Hoult plays the title character, a young farmhand who finds himself helping the local kingdom in a battle with giants from way up in the sky after a gateway between the two worlds opens.

Jack sets out to help the princess Isabelle (Eleanor Tomlinson) escape from the giants’ clutches, but things are complicated when one of the king’s trusted allies, Roderick (Stanley Tucci), tries to hatch a plan to unite the giants and overthrow the kingdom.

Directed by Bryan Singer (the man behind the first two “X-Men” movies and “The Usual Suspects”) “Jack” moves along at a pretty brisk clip – full of some visual wonders.

Hoult, who recently starred in “Warm Bodies,” is perfectly cast in the title role. It’s also nice to see a strong female character who isn’t just there as the damsel in distress.

There are other quality actors in supporting roles – including Eddie Marsan, Ian McShane and Ewan McGregor – to help class up the joint.

But the real joy comes in the way the film brings to life the CGI giants. These are fully realized characters that aren’t watered down. They slaughter and destroy without remorse, giving the second half of the film almost a darkly comic tone.

That includes a spectacular final sequence with a battle that is a lot of bloody fun.

In those moments “Jack the Giant Slayer” is in its element – and more entertaining than recent fairy tale adaptations like “Alice in Wonderland” and “Hansel and Gretel.”

DVD dandy of the week

This week’s dandy is “Wreck-It Ralph” (B). The latest from Disney Animation feels like a Pixar film (it’s not) and has a clever script that appeals to everyone.

You don’t have to be a video game geek to enjoy “Wreck-It Ralph,” but it certainly helps.

It’s like the video game version of “Toy Story.”

John C. Reilly voices the title character, a video game villain who longs to be the good guy.

Ralph sets out to fulfill that dream by leaving his game and jumping to other games, where he can prove that he can be a hero.

This causes a major rift in the arcade world, with the hero of Ralph’s game, Felix (voiced by Jack McBrayer), and a female warrior in a shooting game (voiced by Jane Lynch) teaming up to find Ralph.

While the hunt for Ralph continues, Ralph joins forces with a racing game glitch named Vanellope von Schweetz (voiced by Sarah Silverman), who might be the key to Ralph becoming a good guy.

“Wreck-It Ralph” follows a familiar formula, one that has been so successful in the “Toy Story” series. Phil Johnston and Jennifer Lee’s screenplay is heartfelt, especially as the relationship between Vanellope and Ralph develops, sprinkled with just enough gaming references to appease the hard-core gamer.

Director Rich Moore adds to that with great cameos from video game characters and some wonderful sight gags. This film is also full of gorgeous detail, creating a world full of imagination and possibilities.

I think “Wreck-It Ralph” only scratches the surface of what could be in this world. This film has opened the door to a possible franchise, with many areas of the world yet to discover.

It’s definitely a world I wouldn’t mind revisiting sometime.

“Wreck-It Ralph” is rated PG for some rude humor and mild action/violence and is now available on DVD.

— To get sportswriter/movie reviewer Micheal Compton’s up-to-the minute thoughts on all things movies, visit his blog at mcompton.wordpress.com or his Twitter page at twitter.com/mcompton428. You can also email him at mcompton@bgdailynews.com.

“Jack the Giant Slayer”

Starring: Nicholas Hoult and Stanley Tucci

Directed by: Bryan Singer

Rating: PG-13 for intense scenes of fantasy action violence, frightening images and brief language

Playing at: Regal Bowling Green Stadium 12, Highland Cinemas (Glasgow)

Grade: B