Beowulf [Blu-ray]
by Robert Zemeckis
![Beowulf [Blu-ray]](/images/Beowulf-Blu-ray-B001AII4RM-L.jpg)
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: Angelina Jolie, Anthony Hopkins, Crispin Glover, John Malkovich, Ray WinstoneDirector: Robert Zemeckis
Brand: Paramount
Producer: Buzz Hays
Producer: Jack Rapke
Producer: Jacqueline M. Lopez
Producer: Josh McLaglen
Writer: Anonymous
Writer: Neil Gaiman
Writer: Roger Avary
Audio: English (Original Language); English (Subtitled); French (Subtitled); Spanish (Subtitled); French (Dubbed); Spanish (Dubbed)
Format: AC-3, Color, Director's Cut, Dolby, Dubbed, Subtitled, Widescreen
Picture Format: 2.35:1
Running Time: 114 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2008-07-29
Audience Rating: Unrated
Studio: Paramount
Movie Reviews of Beowulf [Blu-ray]
Movie Review: I know this isn't Beowulf, and yet, the weaknesses and vanity is writ large on the screen
Summary: 5 Stars
This is not Beowulf, the classic poem which has been so beautifully translated by Seamus Heaney - or written for children by Michael Morpunga (sp) - however as a version of Beowulf displaying the strength, bravado, and weaknesses of Beowulf and the grim nature of Danish and Geat kingdoms, this is an extraodinary telling.
I wondered how much Neil Gaiman had in the telling - certainly through Zemeckis, this version has a great deal of humanity, as well as humour. I really enjoyed it as arip roaring tale. I certainly wouldn't have bothered watching it at all if I hadn't caught part of it on the telly - after that I had to seek out the DVD.
I thought the animation would be distracting, and it does have a flatness to it - but it also allows the telling of the story with its fantasy elements, to develop beautifully.
In this version the boastful, strong but hearty Beowulf is travelling from Geatland to the Danish kingdom of Hrothgar's where the meadhall Heoror has been plagued by a Hell-born monster - Grendel. For 14 years Grendel has ruled the hall and the land of the Danes by night. Hrothgar, an old king with a young wife, has had no answer to it.
In the early stages Beowulf boasts of his feats of strength - killing sea monsters and so on - and his crew and men mock him but not to his face. In fact Beowulf, like many egotists seems completely ignorant of their laughter and their inside knowledge that his boasts are inflated.
Key elements in the story are changed. Grendel is altered from a Hell-born beast intent on destroying pleasure, happiness and all that is good and essentially godly - he is a simple creature - he seems to be simply motivated by hunger and simple stupidity rather than hate.
Beowulf defeats him, naked - and the scenes leading up to the fight are some of the most hilarious - with handily placed drinking cups and so on to conceal his anatomy - a bit reminscent of Austin Powers movies.
After the defeat the movie departs from the original story of Beowulf almost completely. However the re=written story has an immensely powerful theme - and is very reminiscent of King Arthur tales, of weakness and power. Interesting that both Arthur and Beowulf are similar in time, set around the 5th and 6th centuries. Now the King Hrothgar kills himself and Beowulf takes over the kingdom - yet you see that his fate begins to echo that of Hrothgar's.
The question of what or who is Grendel and his mother - and how did they get there is answered in this story - and the Mallory 'Wheel of time' style telling of the story brings things into a full cycle. It is a very clever motif and development.
The actors used for the characters, Ray Winstone, Angelina Jolie and John Malkovich especially do an extraodinary job - and the animation was extremely well done.
I am really in awe of this movie. Not classic Beowulf, as I said, but a classic in its own right.
Summary of Beowulf [Blu-ray]
Paramount Beowulf (Blu-ray) (Widescreen, Director's Cut) In the age of heroes comes the mightiest warrior of them all, "Beowulf". After destroying the overpowering demon Grendel, he incurs the undying wrathof the beast's ruthlessly seductive mother who will use any means possible to ensure revenge. The ensuing epic battle throughout the ages, immortalizing the name Beowulf. Academy Award(R) winner director Robert Zemeckis tells the oldest epic tale inthe English language with the most modern technology, advancing the cinematic forum through the magic of digitally enhanced live action. A stellar cast is led by Ray Winstone ("The Departed", "Sexy Beast") in the title role. Joining him are Academy Award winner Anthony Hopkins as the cursed King Hrothgar, John Malkovich, Robin Wright-Penn, BrendanGleeson, Crispin Glover, Alison Lohman and Oscar Winner Angelina Jolie as Grendel's mother.Spectacular animated action scenes turn the ancient epic poem Beowulf into a modern fantasy movie, while motion-capture technology transforms plump actor Ray Winstone (Sexy Beast) into a burly Nordic warrior. When a Danish kingdom is threatened by the monster Grendel (voiced and physicalized by Crispin Glover, River's Edge), Beowulf--lured by the promise of heroic glory--comes to rescue them. He succeeds, but falls prey to the seductive power of Grendel's mother, played by Angelina Jolie... and as Jolie's pneumatically animated form rises from an underground lagoon with demon-claw high heels, it becomes clear that we're leaving the original epic far, far behind. Regrettably, the motion-capture process has made only modest improvements since The Polar Express; while the characters' eyes no longer look so flat and zombie-like, their faces remain inexpressive and movements are still wooden. As a result, the most effective sequences feature wildly animated battles and the most vivid character is Grendel, whose grotesqueness ends up making him far more sympathetic than any of the mannequin-like human beings. The meant-to-be-titillating images of a naked Jolie resemble an inflatable doll more than a living, breathing woman (or succubus, as the case may be). But the fights--particularly Grendel's initial assault on the celebration hut--pop with lushly animated gore and violence. Also featuring the CGI-muffled talents of Anthony Hopkins (Silence of the Lambs), Robin Wright Penn (The Princess Bride), and John Malkovich (Dangerous Liaisons). --Bret Fetzer
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