Beowulf (2007)

Though the plot focuses on action, there is great tenderness for the Viking tradition (even if some say this is Anglo-Saxon), and it is not marred by needless updating. This alone makes a film worthy, especially these days. The lustiness and heroism of these great warriors is not muted by apologies, and one may enjoy this film as a standalone historical (or perhaps mythological) epic. In this vein, and for this genre, the film is meaty. Could it have done more? I think not, given that Lord of the Rings used a trilogy to squeeze out characterization and subplots. Beowulf on the other hand traverses at least two different stories in the two hours afforded.The characters are marvelous, if somewhat familiar. A perfect respite from the wise-cracking Thor of Marvel films. Ray Winstone is the epitome of Beowulf, Anthony Hopkins does a wonderful job as King Hrothgar, Brendan Gleeson is the great sidekick, and Angelina Jolie is ravishing as Grendel's mother. Like subplots, sub-characters, such as John Malkovich's Unferth, don't get enough time, which is good, because it means you wanted more. Even Grendel (Crispin Glover) is somewhat brief. Everything seems realistic and characters act like real people, not caricatures, which seems to be the norm lately. The dialogue matches expectations, even if there is more we'd like to know.The high point of the film is the extravagent NINE-MINUTE battle between Beowulf and the dragon, which in 3-D is dizzying. This is also an emotional battle, so there is extra energy to it. In CGI, there is so much more that can be done, and I like the balance director Robert Zemeckis struck between keeping it real and milking the fantasy with animation. The music is rousing and fitting. I enjoyed the overture and the theme song, but I am sucker for Enya and Celtic in general, as well as Scandinavian traditional.Like Alien and Independence Day, this is a film I could watch over and over. It over-delivers on its promises.

I've never read the original Beowulf story but movie is incredibly entertaining. Ray Winstone's performance as the titular geat had me infested the entire time and the CGI, for being 11 years old now, is simply fantastic. The only flaw I can think of is that towards the start of the third act(around the 40 minute mark) the film hits a storytelling slump. That's all. More films like this which celebrate the male gender need to release in current day.

Started watching this movie again last night. Got as far as 'Beowulf's' line: 'I will kill your monster!' delivered by actor Ray Winstone in an outrageous 'Cockney' accent. All that was missing was 'Orrite Guvnah?' at the end. 'Beowulf' is one of those movies you wish was fabulous as it's such a great story and great cast including Sir Anthony Hopkins, Angelina Jolie and John Malkovich, but on top of Winstone's 'Cockney Beowulf' the cgi renderings of the characters (apart from the Gollum-like 'Grendel') are woefully wooden. Also, the delivery of the lines by the other actors, even the usually compelling Malkovich, is as wooden as the cgi rendering of him. He looks like a deranged version of Max Wall. Zemeckis (who also made the equally terrible 'Polar Express', again using all cgi) should have used live action and green screen a la 'Lord Of The Rings'. For the next remake, I hope Peter Jackson picks it up, then it would be a fabulous movie... as long as he recasts the lead.

Adventure legend movies in days of yore had swashbuckling heroes based on famous legends who were reworked as magnificent, brave, honorable heroes whose deeds inspired us all. The reworkings did NOT follow the legend. This is true of this remake of the Beowulf legend which tells, in middle English, of the Danish heritage today seen primarily in northern England and in East Anglia. This movie seems inspired by the old Ray Harryhausen legend rework movies as it remakes the story of Beowulf with marvelous state of the art special effects and an all too brief appearance of Angelina Jolie as a meld of many ancient pagan moon and water and earth goddesses. It will not please those who want to find out the real middle English legend or those who do not believe these old legends have any more a place in this culture. Otherwise, a good adventure movie perhaps without a target age group in mind.