Beowulf Movie
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Storyline
TAGLINES
Pride is the curse.
Survival is ruthless.
Evil breeds pain.
The warrior Beowulf must fight and defeat the monster Grendel who is terrorizing towns, and later, Grendel's mother, who begins killing out of revenge.
| Ray Winstone | Beowulf/Golden Man/Dragon |
| Robin Wright Penn | Wealthow |
| Anthony Hopkins | Hrothgar |
| John Bilezikjian | Musician #2 |
| Brice Martin | Musician #4 |
| Sonje Fortag | Gitte |
| Sharisse Baker-Bernard | Hild |
| Charlotte Salt | Estrith |
| Julene Renee | Cille |
| Greg Ellis | Garmund |
| Rik Young | Eofor |
| Sebastian Roché | Wulfgar |
| Leslie Harter Zemeckis | Yrsa |
| John Malkovich | Unferth |
| Woody Schultz | Aesher |
| Robert Zemeckis |
7.00 out of 10 (11015 votes)
Visitor Reviews
Quite Entertaining
posted on 28 Aug 2009When I go to see the movie I was bored and have no expectation of this movie at all, the trailer didn’t even look that convincing. I needed to see some movie so I went to see it; also it was directed by Robert Zemickis, for me this name is good enough for me to buy the ticket.Synopsis: When a small town was terrorized by a monster, a king ordered his men to trace a warrior that could save his town a greatest reward. That is when our hero came in – Beowulf.I have never read the books before so I will go by the story of what I see in the movie. The whole movie was much more entertaining than I thought it would be, maybe because I have no expectation like the others who also went to see it. I must say that extra money that they charge me for the 3D thing was worth it, the outcome, the animation and everything was breathtaking. It was crystal clear. They even gave the preview the different between 3D and non 3D.I thought the whole story was pretty OK, nothing great or memorable, seem like they put more energy in the making of this movie into 3D than the great storyline. The story is not that well distributed and here and there can be a little bit boring. The character is quite shallow and the dialogue in this movie was way too little. And there is so much gore that seems quite unnecessary.The good outcome was I don’t really get border by the fact that this movie is CGI like I felt as I watch The Polar Express; this one felt more like a normal movie. As I said before this movie seem to only concentrated a lot on making it a lifelike as possible so tried to watch it in a highly enhance Digital Cinema like I did and you will felt quite impressive at the new technology that everything look so clear and real.Overall it was a fun flick, don’t expect that good of the story but tried to look at that awesomely done CGI.Recommendation: Should At least Watch It Once.Reason to Watch: The Future of Film Making!!!! Reason Not To: Story is very shallow, and if not for CGI this movie is just average Mythology movie.Rating: 6.5/10 (Grade: C+).Please Rate Y/N After Read.
Easily one of the most male centered movies I've ever seen
posted on 28 Aug 2009And I loved it. The creators of this little gem have far more potent imaginations than I and I envy them that. What a rousing movie! I picked it up in DVD to fill up an evening while my wife was away and what a pleasure it was to get engrossed in this brilliantly told tale of courage and adventure. It took me about 30 seconds to get used to the animation. It will take you longer to get used to the idea that this movie actually does a better job evoking a bygone time than the literature on which it's based. That's amazing to me. Another surprise was that Ms Jolie's much ballyhooed nude scenes were more disappointing than I had expected. I found myself more entranced with Robin Wright Penn's Wealthow who is undeservedly undervalued as an indispensable part of this film's magical weave. Ray Winstone rings more true in the lead than anyone had any right to hope for, in my opinion. And then there's Anthony Hopkins and John Malkovich, both adding bits of irrepressible humanity to the mix. This is in sum a thoroughly enjoyable film and I don't hesitate to recommend it, but especially to guys who will have a richer appreciation of it all than I would expect the usual woman will.
Interesting take on the "classic"
posted on 26 Aug 2009This movie is not a faithful rendering to the book; in fact, I don't think it was meant to be. Instead, the producers wanted to make a story about stories, how stories were made and told. Some people criticize this movie for distorting the "classic", but we must remember that the book was itself a nexus between oral poetry and written text. Much has changed: Beowulf changed from something spoken and heard to something that you can read in your room (or back then, a manuscript in the monastery). And now Beowulf is something you can watch on the big screen.So this movie is about how myths are told and passed down, from one storyteller to another, from the book to Hollywood. Zemeckis is pretty good at mixing genres and poking fun at them, for example Back to the Future III. This movie does just that - it makes fun of the search for the "authentic".Great cast - most of the characters are able to escape stereotypes, they have subtle personalities and it's interesting to see how they change through the movie. Beowulf is sort of a bully-like hero, and you actually feel sorry for Grendel, who unleashes his attack, Revenge of the Nerds style, on the human frat parties. Malkovich did a great job, interesting intermediary between being pagan and Christian. Angelina Jolie plays Grendel's milf, quite creepy.I enjoyed this movie (for the above reasons), even though it might scare little kids and disappoint the Old English Literature (Beowulf-is- written-by-Homer-or-Shakespeare) fan club. But hey, watching a movie is supposed to be fun: thinking is optional.
This is the future of cinema?
posted on 26 Aug 2009I didn't make it past the first scene. Yes, many people will say that means I can't comment on the movie, but here's a sad fact -- I have NEVER walked out of a movie in my entire life until now. The animation is flat out annoying. If I wanted to see Shrek I'd buy the DVD. If this is the future of cinema then Hollywood will be bankrupt in a few years. Who actually wants to see movies that look like this? It looked stupid, the same way Final Fantasy and Polar Express looked completely ridiculous.Grendel looked like a giant booger. It was the worst depiction of Grendel I'd ever seen. The thing looked like a CGI Leatherface, only more mentally challenged.I'm sure the fanboys will love this film, the theater was full of them. I'm sure they were all dying to see Angelina Jolie in some kind of CGI erotic scene.I'm sorry, but this movie was stupid. I've sat through some HORRIBLE films in my life -- I even made it through that pathetic Dragon Wars flick, but this was just too much. Save your money and go rent Shrek 3.
A brilliant movie with a lot of action, yet a great deal of the saying "Blood is thicker than water".
posted on 26 Aug 2009When I watched this movie at the cinema with my mother, I was really scared because I thought this was only designed to be a movie containing violence and horror. However, about an hour after the movie ended, I began to think about it. At first, I believed that almost the entire movie included mysteries. Then, I began to focus more on the beginning of the movie. Until Beowulf arrives in Heorot, many great mysteries are introduced and to that end, I ponder why all of that is the way it is.This movie truly shows the influence of family bonds and how one's willpower can break those bonds. Plus, in my opinion, there is an invisible barrier which stops you from hurting your child, an inner force that tells you something along the lines of "You can not hurt the one who is part of you, if you do, then you are only hurting yourself." Still, with a lot of willpower you can overcome those bonds that prevent you from causing yourself limitless emotional suffering. (Look at the confrontation between Grendel and his father towards the beginning of the movie, as well as Hrothgar's plan to get Grendel murdered and Hrothgar's suicide.) Here, I would also like to add that I truly sympathise with Grendel.At that point, I would also like to mention that, to me, the movie also poses the following question: What hurts one more, physical injury or the pain of having done irreversible emotional harm to one's own family? That question is truly the deeper moral of the movie and this deeper meaning of family bonds makes me think. On that note, I wish to say that this movie is really great with its basic and deeper meaning.
It looks like "Shrek" !!!! Can u really take it that seriously????
posted on 24 Aug 2009Okay so they made the dumb decision to put everything in CG. Nice job guys! you're idiots! This movie is supposed to tell the tale of a bad ass hero fighting off really cool monsters and it looks like "Shrek". It's not like I have anything against "Shrek" but this is just a crappy movie. If they had taken this movie, gotten a REAL script, done it with real people, and amped up the violence and exposure to an R rating then it would have had the potential to be a good, borderline decent movie. There are also times in this flick where it will feel like you're watching a bad cartoon porno. There is a scene where our hero, Beowulf will fight in his birthday suit. During this scene you will find yourself playing the game, "what object is going to cover his 'goods' in this take?" This is not what I'd like to be doing while i'm watching a film but due to the immature script writing I couldn't help it. If you're going to have him fight nude then let him show some skin and don't make it so obvious that you're covering it up, and take the R rating. Or, just have him fight in some tight boxers or something but at least don't make it look immature.If you must go, go with friends because you will be laughing at how bad it is! 3/10
CGI Work in Progress
posted on 24 Aug 2009A lot of the audience's problems with The Matrix Reloaded, was the fact that the CGI was too cartoonish for a film in which it is supposed to be realistic. Personally, it didn't bother me in The Matrix Reloaded and I thoroughly enjoyed the film.In Beowulf, the CGI is so close to realistic that I found it detracted from the film because I felt it was very off-putting. The CGI was trying too hard in my estimation. Every character was neither cartoonish or real. Other 3D generated films past (Toy story etc.) have stuck to keeping the feel of the movie more cartoonish.In other elements, the film was interesting. I enjoyed it. It was very far from great and well above bad.I think a mixture of CGI and Real life might have been served better - for the movie to look more authentic. As is, whether it be a technology/time/cost issue, this film (not the story) didn't deserve the high profile actors it had.
Like watching dead people act... should be called The Last Temptation of Beowulf
posted on 24 Aug 2009I went into this movie totally cold, and there were no beginning credits... it wasn't until the end when "directed by Robert Zemeckis" popped up when everything clicked. It's like the awful POLAR EXPRESS all over again, with more of the same creepily realistic 3D Animated characters trying to sub in for real actors. With this movie, they get dangerously close to convincing (in some shots), but there's still something not right. The characters are beautifully animated and detailed, but lacking the life that real human actors would have... instead looking like a bunch of reanimated corpses interacting with each other. The effect is interesting in that it's a momentarily unique visual style (as SIN CITY and 300 were) but unsettling and overall quite useless and underwhelming when the big action sequences look just as cartoonish and fake as anything from CGI fest films made over a decade ago.The plot is pretty awful too, with a decent though padded and drawn out first half that follows the book fairly well. About midway through, the film drastically changes direction and adds a whole 'nother act which is boringly paced and has a few plot "twists" that anyone should see long before they are revealed. Actually, the whole second half of the movie is a virtual remake of Scorsese's LAST TEMPTATION OF Christ with Beowulf instead coming to a crossroad decision involving a lusty maiden....which brings me to Angelina Jolie. What is so damn irresistible about her? She returns as basically the same gratingly abrasive character she played in Alexander, same awful vampire accent and everything. Hey scenes are awfully steamy and erotic for a PG-13 rated film, not that I have anything against it, but I wouldn't be too thrilled about my kids seeing it. The gore is also quite needlessly grotesque. As much as I like seeing people getting rended and disemboweled, this film crosses the line especially with Grendel's appearance and actions. A whiny rotting zombie/ogre exposed eardrum that throbs is not something I'm particularly excited about seeing.Also, why would a dragon have such a puny heart? And what was that life-size Academy Award doing lying on the beach?
Awesome - simply breathtaking
posted on 24 Aug 2009Saw this at the London IMAX on Monday and although I had heard good things from various websites about this film I hadn't expected to be quite so impressed - and moved - by the story and visuals Robert Zemeckis spent so much time and effort bringing to the big screen. Aided by screenwriters Neil Gaiman and Roger Avary he has taken a story that, on paper, could appear thin and one dimensional and crafted a tale of excitement, pathos and beauty while offering real insight into what it takes to be a hero and the price to pay for being human. The character of Beowulf is shown as a young man being arrogant and boastful – already assured of his status as a hero. He even criticises Christianity for replacing real heroes with 'weeping martyrs'. It takes an older, wiser Beowulf to realise that to truly take his place among the immortals he will have to sacrifice everything – in some cases giving up the very things he took from others along the way. The characters of Grendal and his Mother have also been revised so that rather than being the purely evil monstrous forms of the poem they are now a necessary part of the world they inhabit and only allowed to flourish due to the failings and weaknesses of men. Grendal's Mother may give birth to demons but in doing so she also creates heroes! If you can get to see this film in IMAX/3D format I would thoroughly recommend it – not only do you get a great film but you will also get the chance to see the technical achievement of today's 3D technology which, when applied to Beowulf's sweeping vistas and intense action sequences, serve to draw you in and really make you feel part of the action. The CGI, by the way, is top notch.
Looks wonderful, but heart and magic is missing
posted on 22 Aug 2009Beowulf, directed by Robert Zemeckis, is based on the old legend of a warrior who travels to fight a demon, but then makes a deal with the demon's mother,that will have terrible consequences years later.....The script by Neil Gaiman and Roger Avery is a good one. The actors, whom I understand were filmed in motion-capture suits and the animated give good vocal performances. The movie action scenes wouldn't have looked out of place in some live action movies.So why doesn't it quite work??The answer lies in it's greatest strength : the animation. The look of the film is stunning. It's one of the best-looking CGI-animated movies ever. It raises the bar for whatever follows it. HOWEVER, the animation robs the story of it's magic and heart. In trying to look great (which it does), it leave behind characters that you don't connect with. The magic of, for example Stardust (another Gaiman story), The Lord Of The Rings trilogy, Excalibur is missing.As I said, the actors do their part well, even if the computer animated version of Ray Winstone as Beowulf looks more like Sean Bean, and Angelina Jolie looks sexy as hell in animation as in real life! Zemeckis, directs well and if he'd done it live action it would have been a thrilling movie.As a new level in animation, it is superb. I just wish the animation could have left in some magic and heart in the story. Then it would have been a masterpiece.
The CGI is a little bit too much and takes away from the story
posted on 20 Aug 2009I remember a year ago seeing the trailer for Beowulf and to be honest, nothing seemed too special about it. I know the poem, lucky enough I never had to read it, my friends said it was boring, so never found interest enough to read it on my own. I saw Beowulf on DVD for rental and figured just to go ahead and check it out. So I watched the film this morning and honestly, I wasn't that impressed with it. The story itself was an interesting one and I think I might read the poem after all, although from what I'm reading from here on IMDb, the movie wasn't all that accurate to the poem itself. But my main problem with the film is the CGI, I know this is a fantasy type of film, but Lord of the Rings was able to pull off a fantasy type of feel with a live action film. The bad looking effects just take over what could've been a great epic film.Hrothgar is the king of his Denmark land, but there are demons that are attacking him and his people. He and his soldiers are not able to defeat the demon, so they send for a hero. Thankfully a hero is on his way, he is called Beowulf, I like to call him Beobuff. He has come to save the day with his men and they do succeed in killing one of the demons. Unfortunately, the demon's mom does not take this so lightly and offers Beowulf a deal in exchange for a new son. But things take a dark turn when Hrothgar knows a little more about the woman/demon who wanted a son.Beowulf is an alright movie, seriously though, would I recommend it? Not really, the story was wonderful and magical, but the way the film was made and the cast was not what I would've done if I created the movie. I think it would have been a better idea to use unknown actors, because we have these incredible actors who are aways a pleasure to watch on the screen, but seriously, on Beowulf, this was not their film. The CGI is way too over the top and looks very fake, I didn't enjoy the "eye candy". If you read the poem, go ahead and check the film out, if you haven't, you might not get into it.5/10
highly detailed 3D graphic animation with an excellent soundtrack
posted on 12 Aug 2009I went to see Beowulf in 3D tonight and am very impressed. Superb big screen highly detailed 3D graphic animation with an excellent soundtrack. The visual quality is easily on par with any of the IMAX 3D films. Even the very dark scenes work well. Being fully digital too means that there's not a blemish anywhere in the projection. The glasses fitted comfortably over my prescription lenses and it was easy to forget they were even there (something you could never do at IMAX.) I hadn't even heard of Beowulf before this film was released, so I'm not at all sensitive to any deviations from the supposed traditional folklore. There's lots of gore and even a few tits and bums. Enough pecs and abs - no where near the overkill in "300".There's one extended scene of Beowulf preparing for a nude wrestle with the monster - and all sorts of props appear strategically placed to obscure Beowulf's manhood - very reminiscent of Bart's nude skateboard scene in The Simpsons Movie.Beowulf worked for me as an action drama - and earned extra points for being such a state of the art 3D treat. You also get to see, and be impressed by, the 3D preview for "Journey To the Centre Of The Earth" (a live action feature starring Brendan Fraser).Well worth the effort for this rare cinema experience.
Sex and Animation for 4
posted on 10 Aug 2009First off I want to say I was so thrilled about the trailer. It looked like it was going to be fascinating. Also, I love the tales of Beowulf, so I was obviously pulled in from the get-go. So I'm sitting in the theater watching Beowulf when I find myself gagging at the boredom that is being thrown at me..Not to mention Anthony Hopkin's butt.The scenery in the movie was phenomenal. I loved the animation, but when it came time for Beowulf to fight his first victim (spoiler) He decided it be more fair for him to fight butt naked...And yes, ladies and gentlemen, you get to enjoy a 3-5 minute Butt naked Beowulf fight scene between him and Grendal.There also was so much talk about sex, and what the vikings were wanting to do to the villager women. Definitely deserves a R rating in my book. But so far, even though I personally hated that stuff being a PG-13 rated film, I let it pass..Aye, but when Angelina Jolie's character pranced on the screen, that is when it concreted my thought and I soon after left theater. (spoiler) Angelina's character was not clothed at all. Nipples were clearly visible and well...so was other things. Not to mention..more butt.So, If you enjoy Sex, Boobs, and Naked Men It will be the best movie to date..But if you are a moral human with any conscience I highly advise you to save your money for better movies that are to come.
awful
posted on 10 Aug 2009Sub Jolie and Hopkins: from the story book and narrativ content perception even "the attack of the killer tomatoes" is a master piece. Result: basically "the legend of Beowulf" is no more and not less than an technical plaything and addresses themselves thus primarily to all those, which want to take the current technical conditions in inspection. Who would like to experience the film however in its whole splendour, it should absolutely make certain that the respective cinema plays the film in digital 3D or directly directly into a IMAX cinema opens themselves. Because at a conventional demonstration the numerous nice 3D-Effekte loses naturally clearly from its attraction. "300" is more recommandable movie regarding "Performance Capture" technique.
Wasted 119 minutes of my life.
posted on 06 Aug 2009This is my comic book guy from The Simpsons moment, I just got back from seeing Beowulf at the movies.....Omg.WHAT A CROCK OF CRAP! I have never seen such a terrible film! At least a dozen people walked out! The visuals were awful, the dialogue laughable, the accents/voices indistinguishable and the plot non existent. I couldn't understand what the characters were saying half the time let only understand what was happening, and I have STUDIED Beowulf! I didn't see it in 3D, so maybe the visuals can be excused if they were specifically designed for that, but you know, I don't have a 3D TV at home, so the DVD will be a bit pointless, huh? The only reason I would go and see it again is if I lost a bet.Appalling, never should have been released, not even naked Angelina Jolie can save this film, thats how truly terrible it was. -10 out of 10.
Laden with fantasy and stunningly real CGI, Beowulf only falls when it rises to not meet its own challenge
posted on 06 Aug 2009When Beowulf started, and the irresistible, deep and booming soundtrack began, the first thing I said to the person next to me is was: "are you sure this is an animated film!" (that's until Ray Winstone (Beowulf) appears).Beowulf begins as any epic tale would. It lays out the cold, Norse, setting and the characters in a plain, simple fashion. Then the battles start. In fact, Beowulf only really begins 20 minutes in, when Grendel, a hideous giant, kills many people in a food hall in the presence of the king (Antony Hopkins). The King orders that the hall be closed and sends out a message stating that anyone who can slay Grendel will get riches 'beyond their wildest dreams.' Eventually, Beowulf, a warrior with oily muscles and a London accent arrives, and claims he will "kill your monsta'!" A battle scene between him and Grendel commences, which seems a repeat of the first battle, apart from Beowulf is naked. This is a weird and miss-fitted scene, as it falls awkwardly between the line of comedy (Beowulf has sausages, wine glasses, poles, swords blocking his private parts throughout in order to maintain a 12A (PG-13) certificate), and violent action. Beowulf eventually kills Grendel , but this angers another beast in the far mountains, his mother (Angelina Jolie).After this, the film climaxes for 40 minutes, bearing the heavy promise of deep, moving scenes and great, energetic action scenes. But it's not to be, as the film slows down instead, tediously crawling along all its CGI frames, before a quick action scene is slapped on the end.Its a real shame, after all, as Beowulf seems to miss the point in the second half. Its missing the heart that was brooding in a deep, potentially show-stopping cauldron, and settles for a film that bears nothing particularly memorable, but leaves good feeling in your heart afterwards.
This film had so much potential, but it missed in nearly every category.
posted on 04 Aug 2009I've never walked out of a movie before, but I did for this one; about an hour in. (I kept thinking it would get better... but it didn't. It just kept getting worse.) Anyway, here's why you shouldn't waste your money: The animation was the only thing this movie had going for it. Yes, the animation is stunning. However, just because you can animate gore to look like the real thing doesn't mean that you should. I don't like horror/slasher movies, and I had to cover my eyes for about a third of the movie that I stayed for. I wasn't expecting an animated film to be unwatchable, that's for sure. Another thing; I wouldn't consider this move terribly appropriate for children; especially those easily frightened. Definitely see this one first and bring the kids next round if you feel you're willing to do so.Number 2: The script. Here's a hint: Animated movies should never resemble grungy cheap late night specials. The dialogue was stiff, cheesy in places and overly vague in others; even the good vocalics of the actors couldn't rescue it, and there were way too many of those moments where you just feel embarrassed for the actors-- not because you're supposed to, but because you wonder what having participated in this film will do to their career for the next couple years. Even having studied the story in depth; there were quite a few moments where I felt if I hadn't read the book, I wouldn't have any idea what was going on.Number 3: The monsters.What the heck? Grendel's initial attack wasn't even so much scary as obnoxious and over-the-top gory; he was more like a fifteen-foot tall Gollum than a true monster. This was the only part of the story done with a touch of subtlety, the filmmakers did succeed in allowing you to feel sorry for Grendel. Then there's Grendel's mother, played by Angelina Jolie. I'm sorry, Angelina... I just keep imagining her sitting next to Brad Pitt at the premier with something bigger to be embarrassed about than the split in her leather pants. I'm sure the first time the audience sees her on-screen will appeal to some moviegoers but it just added to my uneasiness with the movie. Not only that but the inexplicable accent and linguistics she shares with her son. The audience can only pick up a word here and there.Number 4: The rest of the cast. Even a good actor can't rescue a bad script or a weak storyline.And I'm sure there's more I missed, but right about the time Angelina Jolie comes out of the water for the first time, and the guy five seats down says, "oh YEAH!" I'd decided I'd had enough. Time to go.Unfortunately we stayed too long to get a refund, but at least we got re-admittance tickets for another movie at another time. Do yourself a favor and wait til next week, then go see something good.I give it a two because it is a beautifully animated film. But that's the only thing about it I liked.
Classic Literature Dumbed Down Horribly
posted on 02 Aug 2009Beowulf is a tale that has sparked great debate and was on of J.R.R. Tolkien's inspirations for the Lord of the Rings. It's a tale that deals with monsters and myth and interestingly, a world that is both Christian and Pagan. It's a story just as interesting today as it was all those centuries ago. This movie however is the anti-Beowulf picture. Zemeckis undoubtedly saw the far superior Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children and decided that he too could do a PG-13. CGI has come a long way since Toy Story and Shrek. With video games becoming the far more common and popular media, there is a large audience interested in CGI and so forth. On what could have been a great outing, this picture is turned to trash. Our film starts sour from the beginning with the opening the hall of Herot by King Hrothgar. Were treated to a almost naked CGI version of Anthony Hopkins (Like anyone under 65 wants to see that anyway.) Drunkenly pretend to be funny and create filler. When everything seems like it hasn't dragged on enough, Grendel appears. There's no real description of Grendel in text other than being a large monster however this CGI trash is nothing more than a super deformed giant blue child. It's hardly scary nor interesting. He just kills a few people and we move on to Beowulf coming.Now, the CGI is great and there are times for example with Angelina Jolie's character, its almost lifelike and hard to tell whether they super imposed her head or merely did a CGI reconstruction of her face. The action sequences save for the end are hardly memorable. Beowulf being completely naked during the fight with Grendel becomes a game of hide Beowulf's penis. The epic sea serpent battle feels about as fake as sea monsters really are. What could have saved the film would have been the second arc of the play where Beowulf goes after Grendel's mother. This epic departure from the text arguably and undoubtedly ruins the entire movie. Instead of engaging in an epic underwater fight with Grendel's mother, Beowulf is simply seduced by her and gives her a child. It's unsure what influence Angelina Jolie had and what the director wanted but this sudden rewriting of Jolie's role turns the movie upside down. Were treated to a dull third arc that culminates with Beowulf's dry love affair with another maiden and the consequences of his one night stand with Grendel's nameless mother. The dragon for the finale was especially well down however, the revelation that its Beowulf's son is hardly realized until after the dragon is dead. Wiglaf, a minor player at the end of the text is barely added in and hardly helps.If you love classic literature, stay away. If you hate dull characters, stay away. If you hate pointless sexual references, stay away. If you want comedy, action or something to remember, stay away. Angelina Jolie has hardly any real time in this picture. There's no faithfulness to the original epic which makes you ironically wish Beowulf would die. My congratulations to the team behind this.CGI can be great, CGI can be revolutionary, however, this attempt just hinders the genre and makes action movies as a whole full of pointless violence that isn't even entertaining or exciting. You'll leave wishing you had chosen a better movie. Walk away please. With films like The Golden Compass coming soon, its better to stay home than waste your money.
Classics Comics, but the pictures move and they're in 3D
posted on 02 Aug 2009Neil Gaiman started out writing plots for graphic novels (the "Sandman" series, followed up by "Good Omens" and other text novels that play with occult themes). That sensibility is plastered all over the screen -- not a shot that wouldn't fit on an EC comic book page (including the ones in which Anglina Jolie's character is on screen). Great Literature it's not -- you won't hear the rhythms of the original saga nor will you hear sparkling dialog, and you won't see depth of characterization. But you will see feats of derring-do and well-directed visuals and some remarkable examples of applied compute-power (though why the artists gave Robin Penn Warren's Queen the lips of Merrill Streep is beyond me). Accept the work for what it wanted to be and enjoy.
Good, if you can overlook the juvenile aspects
posted on 30 Aug 2009First off, I can't believe I was charged $3.25 for 3D glasses when I could have just brought my own. Ugh! Anyways, I enjoyed "Beowulf" much more than I thought I would. It has a slew of flaws, but it's still good entertainment. Some of the animation bugged me because instead of thinking "this is Grendel's crazy monster mom," I kept thinking "Oh look, it's a cartoon big lipped Angelina Jolie!" Also, it seems like the filmmakers wanted to go for an adult demographic with this animated adaptation of the epic poem, but it misses the mark by being chockful of juvenile humor and moments. Despite these distractions, it's still a good ride.