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Beowulf (IMAX 3-D) - Movie Review Hot

Movie Reviews

Release Date: November 16, 2007
Studio: Paramount Pictures
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Genre: Action • Adventure • Animated
Director: Robert Zemeckis
Writers: Neil Gaiman, Roger Avary
Cast: Ray Winstone, Anthony Hopkins, John Malkovich, Robin Wright Penn, Brendan Gleeson, Crispin Glover, Crispin Glover, Alison Lohman, Angelina Jolie
Synopsis: In the age of heroes comes the mightiest warrior of them all, Beowulf. After destroying the overpowering demon Grendel, he incurs the undying wrath of the beast's ruthlessly seductive mother, who will use any means possible to ensure revenge. The ensuing epic battle resonates throughout the ages, immortalizing the name of Beowulf.
The Review: You're Critic for the Evening: Michael Dayspring.
Where to start? Comparison to the book? Technical aspects of the film? Naked Angelina Jolie in 3-D? Choices...choices.

Ok lets begin this by talking about another film; The Polar Express. It was the first attempt at this sort of filmmaking process. While it looked pretty amazing it suffered from "dead eyes" As neat as it was to see a CGI Tom Hanks it was just as creepy looking at those cold dead zombie like eyes (the CGI character not Tom Hanks. But for a first go round it was still pretty damn impressive that they would get so much else right at any rate (technical wise). The Polar Express was a marvel to look at "dead eyes" aside and its attention to visual details was astounding. Clearly this idea could work and we'd be keeping our eyes out for the next go round.

Now imagine for a moment that slick CGI and attention to knocked up to 11 and a moving from kiddie Christmas fair to age old epic territory....and you'll have Beowulf.

The sheer volume of detail on the screen really takes advantage of the IMAX screen and the 3-D technology (though I'm sure it'll play out well on a regular one too, and If not I'll let you know since I'm seeing this again on a regular screen). For me is was the small things, the little scars, or breath in the cold, the way liquid moves, heaving breasts, the motion of fire, how snow falls not just within the movie but around your eyes in 3-D. It takes away any of the other flaws this film might have in other areas (and it does have some, but they are minor). Couple this with the near photo realistic characters that fill the screen and you'll have more than a few moments where you forget it's CGI. Doubly so when it comes to seeing naked CGI Angelina Jolie.

The plot itself; Ok I haven't read Beowulf in probably about 2 decades, so while I can't quote and compare the story to the film. So we'll skip that, it's not really important for the purposes of what I saw on the screen and floating before my eyes last night anyway. The pace of this thing really just flies. Sure there are plenty of moments where there's not some battle going on but there's very little down time on screen where you are left with uninteresting characters or plot points that don't immediately drive the story forward. Considering the time and money being spent it's not a surprise they'd want to refine the script as much as possible.

The great thing about the character of Beowulf is that while he might be a hero and be known for courage beyond that of a normal man he is deeply flawed by his pride. Like most of us he wants to be remembered, to leave behind a legacy of tales and song that will echo through the ages. He's lived a life dedicated to that end and while it's gotten him far it's just not enough so it's not really shocking he'd make a deal and lay with a devil to get it even when he's seen the folly of these sort of deals first hand already. The story of Beowulf has stuck with us through the ages because unlike the stories of infallible gods and kings he could be any of us, and any of us could fall prey to evils seduction.

Wondering if you can take the kids? I was. I wanted to take my boy with me, but looking at the trailers and knowing the story of Beowulf (well enough) I couldn't help but wonder how a six year old boy would handle this one. So I took the boy along and mentally prepared myself for the possibility that I might not be seeing the entire film just then. Gotta tell ya, the boy LOVED it! by the end of the film he was on the edge of his seat watching Beowulf battle the powers of evil. His only complaint: "Grendal is annoying" which I have to agree but Grendal is suppose to be that way so lets not look at that as a flaw or Crispin Glovers fault really. And the boy as requested I read to him the story of Beowulf...wish me luck.

Few movies live up to being called "Event Movies", and most of them have really big explosions or alien invasions or Jedi and most don't live up to the title and soon after become a piece pop culture wit that we use as a punchline or yard stick to measure coolness or lameness by. Beowulf is one of those films that NEED to be seen as they were meant to be seen...on a big ass screen with a pair of 3-D goggles strapped to your dome.

Overall: Beowulf is a stunning piece of filmmaking, storytelling, and advanced technology at work. Easily one of the best films of 2007

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