16 out of 17 people found the following review helpful:
*** May contain spoilers ***
Beowulf: Is this what the hype was about
Emperor from ,
21st November, 2007
Beowulf to me was a highly anticipated movie. I did not realise it was primarily a 3D movie, but it did not affect my viewing. I am glad I did not rush to a iMax theatre to see this though. The film started out really atmospheric and promising, the mead hall scene, although only in 2D, was enhanced by the high definition screens at the Vue and I felt as though I was there. Graphically at this early point in the movie I found myself transported back in time to the time of Beowulf. Unfortunately this was not maintained. The graphics devolved into something I am very familiar with in the form of the total war engine. The capital of Beowulf's kingdom was totally out of place with the 6th Century AD, with its round fairytale like towers and walls. Round towers were not used until the 12th and 13th Centuries! But taken this aside and looking at it as just a film it still was insufficient. The plot grew old very quick, I got the message of the film very quick but it just seemed too drawn out. The last 40 minutes just seemed to cover the life of a bitter and regretful monarch and did nothing to develop the characters. All character development occured in first half an hour, and even that was insufficient in my opinion. I was left confused as to the background of these characters. It does seem as though the 2D characters of ancient heroic myths really don't translate well into modern films, unless serious alterations to the original myth are done. The level of violence and bloodshed was a bit excessive for a 12A rating, I personally (and I watch some fairly graphic films) thought this rating was inappropriate. In hindsight I would watch this film if it was on the tele as it was a good film which enabled me to just turn of a few braincells. But I would probably change the channel after Beowulf's fall as one can see the rhythmic pattern of history repeating himself. The story of Beowulf by the end of the film can be seen as a mirror of Brothgar's story (which one may determine from references at the beginning of the film). On this it has some interesting things to say, shame it does not deliver, here a little more embellishment was required to deepen the characters and therefore enhance the viewing experience.
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