Beowulf & Grendel
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Movie Reviews of Beowulf & Grendel
Movie Review: A movie with depth
Summary: 5 Stars
The original poem may have been a classic but this retelling was better, far better. It only covers the part of the story involving the two main characters Grendel and Beowulf. For those looking for two dimensional entertainment that defines it's characters as either good or evil you will be greatly disappointed. In this retelling Grendel is no monster and Beowulf learns the enemies he has slaughtered as the hero of the Geats had names, friends and he learns that his life is uncomfortably similar to those lesser individuals that cross his path. If you like movies like Blade Runner where the point of the movie wasn't for the hero to slaughter his enemies but was for the hero to question, learn and grow then this movie will appeal to you.
I suspect the primary group of folks who will hate the movie will be those biblical scholarly types who have been trying to reinterpret this story to somehow have something to do with christianity. The movie takes a poke at that (the mark of Cain thing) that most will miss unless they know something about the ongoing attempts to say this was a christian inspired story when there is zero evidence to suggest it was anything other than the pagan story that it is. It also shows christianity in an equal light with the nordic pagan faith and I think that will inspire some to give this a lesser review than it deserves. This is a story about human complexity and everything lives in the gray areas between black and white.
Movie Review: Get this film!
Summary: 5 Stars
I admit it, I flew up to New York to see this film because it stars Gerry Butler. After all the flack about it, I wasn't sure what I would think. I watched three showings in a row and finally had to leave, but not because I wanted to. I waited anxiously for the DVD, as I had to see it again. The DVD's special features are thoroughly fascinating, and a wonderful surprise.
Shot entirely on location in the severe beauty of Iceland and without computerized effects, this film presents an old story with the feel of the local news--it could be taking place right now. In places humorous, in others grim, in all places compelling, this film is a splendid example of how legends get started.
This film is brilliant. Perfect for our cynical age, its realism and shades-of-gray storyline makes one stop and think. It has greater echoes of racism, ethnocentrism, and media hype, appropriate for a time when we are bombarded with images of blood and gore in centuries-old conflicts.
The language deserves a sentence of its own; smartly, it's modern, with a variety of accents. The writer wisely gives us what real people would say, without overdoing the profanity. Yes, it's there, used correctly and adding to the film, not detracting from it. The attention to detail of the weapons and clothing is delightful. There are no horned helmets and pillaging here. These Vikings are thoroughly believable.
Movie Review: A Good Movie, But Does Not Follow the True Story Of Beowulf.
Summary: 5 Stars
This was a very good movie. Beautifully shot, beautifully scripted, and beautifully performed, but does not follow the true story of Beowulf and Grendel.
Having read the actual Beowulf in high school I was pretty psyched to see this new adaption of the classic story, but did get a disapointment when it did not follow the story. BUT I did still get a huge enjoyment out of this movie. It had many, many similarities to the original story and had pretty much the same storyline, it just had some additional characters and the death of Grendel was different in the film. I do think a little more could have been explained in the movie, like the Sea Hag (Grendel's mother). If I had not read the original Beowulf, I would have had no idea who she was or why she was so upset over Grendel's death. I also didn't see the point in adding the character of Selma to the film. Her only purpose was to have a sex scene in the film. But I did think it was cool how they made Grendel have a son and have the same situation occur with Beowulf and Grendel's son as it happened with Hrothgar and Grendel. A very interesting, entertaining, and funny new outlook to this classic story. Excellent performances by Gerard Butler (as Beowulf), Stellan Skarsgsrd (as King Hrothger), and Invar Eggert Sigurosson (as Grendel). Also, some extremely beautiful shots of Iceland. Highly Recommended!
Movie Review: An adventure of the soul
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a story that took me totally by surprise. I expected an action story with a hero clearly on the side of 'right' and a monster clearly evil. There was plenty of action and peril but there was something more. The hero did not go blindly into the fight but questioned why there was a fight in the first place. The 'monster' was not clearly evil, he had motives for his actions.
I had a feeling of people huddled together against the dangers in the dark, seeking safety while sending the young and bold to fight the danger. It was a story of the circle of revenge and a question at the end, Can this circle ever be broken?
Gerard Butler is perfectly cast as the strong, brave and questioning Beowulf. He is a natural leader and hero. I also thought that Stellan Skarsgard and Ingvar Sigurdsson gave wonderful performances. I am on the fence about Sarah Polley. I understood her position and her motives but there were times she left me cold. On the whole, this cast including Beowulf's comrades in arms, took me on this quest, the journey of questions that maybe have no answers, only hope. What more could I ask for.
I thoroughly enjoyed this film, the incredible scenery and the excellent performances. Not your usual fare, but something exquisitely different.
Movie Review: Highly reccomend this!
Summary: 5 Stars
Knowing that Im into historical reinactment (mostly vikings & their predessors) one of my friends bought me this for my birthday. I nearly killed him as I exected this to be another unwatchable pile of garbage like Pathfinder. However, I owed him a major apology as Beowulf & Grendel turned out to be an excellent movie.
Somehow, with a fairly low budget, they pulled it off. They knew when and where to put the money for the best result & did so. Excellently writen, it stays very close to the real story of Beowulf. The plotline was simple, but it didnt lack depth to it. The armor, weapons, clothing, building, etc. were simple, functional, and fairly historically accurate. The landsacpe it was filmed it made for breathtaking backgrounds. And they gained major bonus points by actually adding depth to Grendel: they portray him as an intelligent being, and not just a mindless monster.
Beowulf is an action movie with intelligence that bears more resemblance to the older epics rather than a modern slash-em-up. It does justice to the story, and I am very happy to have it on my shelf. If you like historical movies similar to "13th Warrior" and "Tristan & Isolde" I highly reccomend this movie.