Based on an Anglo Saxon poem, this is the story of Beowulf (Ray Winstone), a warrior who travels to Heorot to rid the land of its monstrous ogre Grendal (Crispin Glover). However the beast is only the cusp of his undertaking, as Grendal’s mother (Angelina Jolie) battles her vain, naïve opponent in a clash that would forever establish the myth and legend of Beowulf.
A brave idea, to produce a movie from a manuscript supposedly written in 700 AD - even more so as the film’s director, Robert Zemeckis (the Back to the Future trilogy, Forrest Gump), decided to shoot the whole thing as ‘digitally enhanced live action’ aka - the biggest video game demo of all time.
They say:
Rolling Stone: "Springs so many pow 3D surprises you'll think Beowulf is your own private fun house."
Empire: "A glimpse into the future of movies, Beowulf is just the beginning."
Channel 4: "One of those rare blockbuster type productions that works well thanks to its intelligent script and visual splendour."
We say
Ray Winstone has probably not had a six pack since... well, forever. Not the kind that requires situps as opposed to two hours chilling in the fridge anyway. Though in Beowulf he gets a stomach to impress even the cast of 300, and (again) it is all thanks to the magic of computers.
Boldly director Robert Zemeckis has updated the same technology utilised in his creepy children’s animation The Polar Express. With Beowulf though this optical illusion is more polished, giving an already innovative filmmaker greater freedom and his audience an exhilarating ride via shots that could not have left the storyboard stage in live action.
The result is an epic achievement that never stops entertaining for one second. Even with Beowulf occasionally resembling a giant Playstation cutscene, you cannot fight its infectious, even moving quality.
With such a daring concept, you need to run with it - and that means it is okay to giggle at Anthony Hopkins’ runaway toga. No one will care if you are aroused by a computer animated, but still very naked, Angelina Jolie. And you can laugh at the stoic Winstone every time he utters the word ‘monster’ in a gloriously untamed East London accent.
Winstone’s portrayal is actually more rounded than you might expect. His imperfect hero credibly arcs from a vain bighead who believes his own hype to a tired king lingering only to face his final battle.
Prepare to be scared out of your wits too. The screeching howl of Beowulf’s first nemesis the demon Grendal (who in truth resembles a massive inside out baby) will haunt deep into your nightmares. God only knows how you feel sorry for this horrific monstrosity, but you do.
To nitpick, perhaps the character animation is not quite there yet, perhaps the talky scenes fail to entirely convince, perhaps the odd sour faced grump might complain they are watching the scariest kids movie ever made. But really though, when you consider how much fun you are having, perhaps not.
At one point Beowulf climbs through the bulging eyeball of a sea monster with all the nonchalance of getting out of bed. Respect is due for Zemeckis - he has gambled his imagination on technology and won. This is bloody manliness from beginning to end.
Extras:
This director's cut version features more gore on top of what was already a bucket of blood in the first place. 'Animated' or not, this remains pretty close to the mark.
We saw the Blu-ray and quality is, in the words of Derek Zoolander, 'ridiculously good looking'. Sound is vivid too - akin to having the film re-enacted in your front room by Brian Blessed and Jade Goody.
The 'making of' docs are surprisingly entertaining, focusing largely on the bewildered actors as they are covered in motion capture suits and asked to stand like teapots before each shot (Anthony Hopkins appears particularly bemused).
The additional scenes are worth a punt as curios, being as they are unfinished and look to be drawn on a BBC Micro (watch how the horses ‘slide’!). They add little to the actual story though.
A good package - too much technical gubbins, but that is only to be expected with such a technically revelatory movie.
Side note: Doesn't Ray Winstone seem like a thoroughly decent chap? Who can watch Scum in the same way now?
CAST
Ray Winstone
Angelina Jolie
Anthony Hopkins
John Malkovich
DIRECTOR
Robert Zemeckis
TIME
115 mins
POSTED...
Sat 17 Nov 2007 at 9:24am
