Beowulf
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Movie Reviews of Beowulf
Movie Review: Classroom Worthy?: A Teacher's Review
Summary: 4 Stars
I teach British Literature to high school juniors. The students begged me last year to show Beowulf after we read the epic in class. I told them I had to watch it first but did not ever remember to rent it. Then, I saw it on Showtime this summer, and I have to say I was somewhat impressed. I could definitely show this in my classroom for two reasons:
1) I teach my students about film as interpretation of literature. This is somewhat of a departure from the original epic, but it is in a way that's creative and interesting. I think for a lot of readers, the movie attempts to answer questions left by holes in the original story. We can discuss later if we think the interpretation is plausible or not. For instance, the relationship between Grendel's mother and Hrothgar would be a good discussion point. Also while reading, we discuss different scholar's interpretations of Beowulf. Some scholars feel that the emphasis on Christianity was added later by monk/scribes in an effort to convert the pagan masses. The movie definitely supports that idea.
2)I feel that there is opportunity to compare the film version to other classic epics, particularly the Odyssey. The scene where Beowulf stabs the sea monsters in the eye is reminiscent of Odysseus' encounter with the Cyclops. Also, Angelina portraying Grendel's mother as an enchanting seductress definitely reminds me of Circe. And then, the theme that "a hero comes home" relates to the Odyssey as well. I think analyzing why the director/writers chose to make these connections to the Odyssey could lead to an interesting discussion. Also, it would give us a chance to discuss what "Hollywood" aspects have been applied to the epic.
I will definitely show this in class next semester, but I give it only 4 stars. I thought that some of the sexual references were over the top. I also didn't think it was necessary to show Beowulf's butt. However, I know my students are mature enough to handle watching the movie, even though I will still have to listen to some snickering. I don't think that these things are enough to take away from the main points that I want to discuss in class.
Movie Review: Hollywood Does Beowulf
Summary: 4 Stars
This is a good film -- a little draggy at times but the animation and 3D special effects make it more than worthwhile. The first half of the film follows the story of Beowulf fairly closely in its interpretation of the story. Grendel is a monstrous monster. Hrothgar seems a little weaker than portrayed in the story but the original Beowulf is short on details and plot so clearly something had to be done -- hence the Queen is introduced and Hrothgar is cursed through his sexual intercourse with Grendel's mother. These are all additions to the story along with the water demon mother. The fact that Beowulf had supernatural strength is never mentioned so his epic wrestling match with Grendel comes across as weird and the nudity as gratuitous but this actually follows the story. I will say that this sequence is some of the weakest animation and reminded me of Yoda in his classic duel with Duku(sp). Grendel is more pathetic and sad in this movie but still remains grotesque and evil. Even though the original story has been bent and added to it still is a good movie, Beowulf was the braggart supperhero as described in the original but he truly was heroic there. The sea monsters were added clearly for the special effects although Beowulf does brag that he killed them in the original story. The Vikings and the Mead Hall really brought the story to life and were a good interpretation of how it must have been and certainly follows the description in the original. In this version Beowulf succumbs to temptation and lives a life based on a lie so his heroism is tarnished and he never redeems it because he only kills the spawn of Grendels mother. In the original story of course he kills the Dragon who is Grendels mother. So the movie deviates dramatically from the original story but like 300, it is action packed, exciting, great special effects, and overall a good movie, but students shouldn't rely on this for a book report. A couple of draggy spots and a couple of animation gaffes but worth the price of admission. I only gave it 4 stars because of these flaws.Movie Review: Surprisingly faithful to the original spirit but still very modern, too
Summary: 4 Stars
I am an English teacher and enjoy teaching this great-grandaddy of English epics to my charges - but I have to say that I really could not contemplate showing more than carefully edited excerpts to year 7's; it's too violent and sexy for their tender ears and eyes. In truth, the raunchy bits are rather gratuitous and superfluous, but having said that, I thought it was terrific; strangely enough I enjoyed it more on DVD at home than I did seeing it for the first time at the cinema - perhaps I had become used to the clever narrative trick used to unite the two rather disparate sections of the story (which I shall not reveal to those who have not yet seen it). The script is literate and intelligent - especially the conversation on kingship between the women in the later section - and it remains faithful to the ethos and spirit of Anglo-Saxon England, despite the modern twist. I particularly loved the use of authentic Anglo Saxon for Grendel's (and his mother's) utterances; that's a great introduction to the musical, muscular sound of Old English. Grendel is really both scary and sympathetic - something like a Gollum on steroids - and I found the portrayal of his mother as a femme fatale - a demonic cross between Vivien, Morgan le Fay and a Bunny Boiler - really effective; likewise the dragon is a horribly anthropomorphised beast, half human, half reptile. It is beautifully animated with some startlingly original angles and very atmospheric scenes - I don't know why some people complain about wooden faces; I think they are wonderfully subtle and detailed. The vocal acting is excellent with the one exception of Ray Winstone's silly Barrow Boy accent - I just cannot take it seriously when he declaims, "Oy em Beowulf and oy em here to kill yooor MONSTAH!" Sorry; it's just so incongruous - but otherwise I like everything about it - which surprised me as a bit of a purist. I can perhaps show excerpts to the younger ones; meanwhile I am grateful for such a loving and thoughtful version of this great tale; it will bring another, newer audience to a timeless classic.Movie Review: An Epic Performance
Summary: 4 Stars
This was a fascinating, epic performance of perhaps the most thrilling epic poem in all of western literature.
While the original poem is left far behind, with Grendel's mother posing as an evil seductress who tempts Beowulf with riches and fame if she will merely mate with him, the flavor of the original remains.
Interesting to me was the juxtaposition of Christian imagery, with a reference to Jesus Christ which is not present in the poem, against traditional pagan mythology of monsters, dragons, and superhuman feats. While Beowulf the poem does feature (exclusively Old Testament) biblical allusions and implies knowledge of Christianity (references to heaven, hell and final judgment, metaphor of the dragon as Satan), it is not a Christian poem.
The movie appears to try to point out, and the likely case, that Beowulf was written at a time when Christian theology was only beginning to become known in 6th century Denmark, and somewhat better known in 8-10th century England. So Christian references appear alongside proclamations of allegiance to Odin, and acknowledgment of Roman gods as simply another possible ally.
Beowulf himself appears as a savior, who is greatly tempted by Grendel's mother with promises of eternal fame and fortune, and peace, if she will only provide him a son and the dragon-mead flask. Ultimately, Beowulf realizes her promise to be an empty one, and that morality cannot be supplanted by convenience; thus he goes to fight the dragon -- and his own son -- and ultimately is killed himself.
The animation is slightly less wooden than in Polar Express. But it works better here, for the characters appear stoic in their relationships and bravery. Anthony Hopkins is brilliant as Hrothgar; Angeline Jolie less so as Grendel's mother.
I do recommend this film to anyone; especially if you have just read the poem, or are about to do so.
Movie Review: 1500 years young
Summary: 4 Stars
Good stories can't die off. They live on by being retold again for every new generation. My condolences to the purists: this telling speaks to today's generation.
What's of this generation is great. Star power includes Anthony Hopkins, Angelina Jolie, John Malkovich, and scripting by Neil Gaiman. The animation (yes, it's animation) represents the very best of this generation too. Jolie has voice credits, but she clearly gave a lot more than her voice to the animators. Ditto Hopkins, who transformed expertly into Hrothgar - computerized alchemy explored the ridiculous idea that Hopkins could ever be dumpy, but did so convicingly. Fussy bits, hair and beard among them, set this animation ahead of others, but so do the other aspects of cinema and artistry. Today's best animation comes up short of reality, but this comes right up to the best of today's animation.
The story itself survived largely intact. Specialists (I can name one) will be disappointed - but they always are. The graphic novel might be the literary form of the emerging generation, and this speaks directly in that idiom as only computer animation can. Even with that, real tensions with real ambiguities come through. The odd logic of senior wife protecting junior doxy and vice versa gives a little to think about, even if only a little.
If you want the grandest of comic books, you came to the right place. After a thousand years of telling, maybe more, this story still fits well between the covers of today's comics. Then, once comic-fied, it becomes the grandest of comic-book movies. Whoever did "300" did well, but was just practicing. "Beowulf" is what they practiced for.
-- wiredweird