| Home > Horror Reviews > Hollywood Horror > Beowulf |
| Rated: 5.00/5 | Votes: 2 | Views: 129 |Submitted: 11/18/07 |
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4.5/5
Upon seeing the TV spot for “Beowulf,” I was indifferent. I had read the epic poem, but the film didn’t look any different from “300” or “Eragon.” But then I noticed something…it was entirely digital! You’ll have to excuse my ignorance, but I didn’t realize that this was another motion capture experiment courtesy of Robert Zemeckis. The first thing you’ll notice about “Beowulf” is the jaw-dropping animation. It’s also the first thing that you’ll talk about after leaving the theater. Most of the characters in the film are rendered with impossible detail. I could see every embrasure on every person’s face. Each nook and cranny almost jumped off of the screen as if to say, “Cool, eh?” Robin Wright Penn’s Wealthow and John Malkovich’s Unferth are the least realistic creations, but both actors make up for the slight foibles with expressive vocal performances. So it looks good. But is there a story or even a film here? Honestly, I would rather not adduce the knotted plot. You’ll just have to consult the IMDB if you want to read the synopsis hundreds of times. I wrote an essay on the source material in High School, although I am not as repulsed by the updated script as some geeks are. “Beowulf” should be accepted as a stand-alone film. You’ll never enjoy it if you are waiting for a certain moment or cursing the writers for dropping the scene where Xulfresch confronts Loikess (fake names, people…calm down). The film opens with a terrifying sequence in which Grendel obliterates the castle hall. Yes, Grendel resembles a Tolkien monster, but I like the creature design myself. Crispin Glover is insane as Grendel’s voice box. That’s what I call perfect casting. Anthony Hopkins is particularly inspired as the weathered Hrothgar. Angelina Jolie is her sultry self as Grendel’s mother. The scene where she puts her son to rest heaved at my heart strings. I would liken Grendel to Frankenstein’s monster in that he is a sympathetic beast. The rest of the inhuman cast members are quite intimidating. Thank God (or Satan) that “Beowulf’ was not chiseled into a kid-friendly bedtime story. If this were a live-action picture, it would more than likely garner an R-rating. The violence is over-the-top, although it still doesn’t rival your average modern horror film. It was too much for the teenaged girls behind me, so parents may want to use their discretion in bringing little ones to see this mighty drumfire. The pace slithers with enough of a depth charge to keep you from looking at your watch. You might have a headache afterwards, but it’s a pain of fulfillment. Speaking of headaches, be sure to see this flick in 3D. The glasses still look cheap after all these years, but they do make a difference. I’m not just squeaking about rain drops that seemingly extend into the crowd. The film’s title appears as though it’s hanging from the ceiling. I dug it, but it’s not for everyone. Neither is the film itself. Not even I, a complete moron, would give it a perfect rating. I was turned off by the open-ended resolution. I’m the type of guy that needs closure. If you’re not big on endings that actually end, you’ll be okay. If “The Polar Express” ruined motion capture animation for you, give “Beowulf” a whirl. The technology has matured, and the computer-generated faces aren’t nearly as creepy as they were in the aforementioned Christmas cackhole. Reviewer: Dom Coccaro |
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