Episode five brings with it another new guest star, the week's being heart-throb and film legend Ryan Reynolds. Kicking off where episode four ended, the peach had previously dropped from the branch and ended up floating in the sea.
Panic sets in when James learns that most of the insects can’t swim but their minds are soon distracted by rumbling tummies, having not eaten anything since the previous morning. “We will get thinner and thinner” they cried. But James tells them there’s plenty of food on board to keep them going for days on end. Confused by this, James explains to them that they can eat parts of the peaches interior - as long as they don’t make any holes that will cause them to sink! Soon the animals are working in unison to scoop out some before enjoying a fine feast of peach. The ladybird (Reynolds) exclaims that she’s never eaten peach before and that she simply loves it. (Much more tasty compared with the green bugs she’s used to eating)
The centipede (also Reynolds) bursts into song - accompanied by Taika Waititi on guitar which he later throws off screen with a bang, laughing he goes through one guitar a day. Reynolds doesn’t sing as such, rather reads the lyrics in a lullaby type voice (he should record himself reading similar - I’m sure the gentle sound of his voice would cure all my sleep issues and help me nod off easily, sending me to dreamland), telling the others of all the wonderful things she’s eaten before, but nothing as tasty as the peach. James and his friends were all feeling happy now - their bellies were full and the sun was shining. “Look!”, cried the centipede, just as they were finishing their meal. A black thing was lurking in the water. “They’re sharks!”, gasped the earthworm. They were all suddenly very scared. (Cue Waititi with sound effects of snapping sharks using a pair of kitchen food tongs) - to be honest with his sense of humour I wouldn’t have been at all surprised if he’d started blasting out Pink Fongs “Baby Shark” at this stage. “Oh we’re finished now!” wailed the spider. The insects were terrified of being eaten by sharks. They all turn and stare at James, desperate for him to help save them.
Episode six brings with it guest stars actress Lupita Nyong’o (“12 Years A Slave”, “Black Panther” and “Us”) and actor Josh Gad ('The Book Of Mormon' - on Broadway, film adaption of “Beauty And The Beast” and the voice of Disney character Olaf in the 'Frozen' films. I adore Josh Gad, so was really looking forward to this episode. Reynolds was enthusiastic and entertaining in episode five, but Gad is like a hyperactive child in a sweetshop - always full of laughs.
“We’re still reading it...!” announces Taika Waititi in this episode's introduction - “its longer than I thought!” he laughs (Yes - you and me both Taika! It feels never ending - hence why I’m now combining two episodes in one write-up, otherwise I’ll be cashing my pension before we get to the end!).
“There is something I believe we could try”, James Henry Trotter (Lupita) says slowly...”I’m not saying it will work...”. “Tell us!” begged the insects, “we’ll try anything”. They all move closer to James, eager to hear what his plans are. “We need hundreds of yards of string to make this work....any sort....just as long as it’s strong. Oh it won’t work - we don’t have any” cries James in despair. The spider and the earthworm soon get together to make plenty of strong string to set the escape plan in action. Their plan works and soon they all in turn climb out of the peach, using the string to attach to something outside of the peach to get to safety. A huge ship suddenly appears below them, floating on the sea. They don’t know it but this is the Queen Mary and it’s heading out of the English Channel and heading towards America. Guest star Camilla Parker Bowles aka The Duchess of Cornwall brings the voice of the ships captain. (She’s very wooden in the character and could bore paint off the wall). The Captain sees the sky above filled with birds and spies James and the rest of the insects standing on the birds using his telescope. The rest of the cabin crew think the Captain has lost the plot or is drunk.
I seem to have forgotten how the story pans out. It’s been years since I read it and it certainly didn’t seem that long reading it as a child. Still, I prefer the book over the film adaption any day. Stay tuned for episodes 7&8 coming soon.
And to catch up on my earlier episode's reportage, you can follow the following links:
Episode 1: https://number9reviews.blogspot.com/2020/10/online-novel-reading-james-and-giant.html
Episode 1: https://number9reviews.blogspot.com/2020/10/online-novel-reading-james-and-giant.html
Reviewer - Lotties Davis-Browne
on - 27/10/20
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