Beowulf: Rise and fall of a majestic Warrior. (Beowulf [2007] (DVD))

Member Name: Gladiator007

Product:	Beowulf [2007] (DVD)
Date:	03/04/09 (691 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Superb 3d effects,excellent characterization of King Hrothgar &Grendel's Mother,gripping storyline

Disadvantages: Very weak choice of actor as Beowulf, very long, some disturbing fighting scenes.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Beowulf' is one of the most prominent and legendary English poems about the epic saga of a powerful and admired hero and tells us the journey of his life. It is written in Anglo-Saxon or old English. Beowulf, the protagonist of the poem, has fought and won several battles and created history and later become King of the Geatland (the southern part of Sweden on a modern map).


The movie "Beowulf" strongly based on this epic poem. Famous English Author Neil Gaiman and Canadian Born Oscar-winning screenwriter and film producer Roger Avery wrote the movie script based on this poem in 1997. Due to insufficient funds and some other related problems, it could not be transformed in to movie format on that time.


Later, at the end 2005, the legendary Director and producer Robert Zemeckis who is widely notable for using special effects in movies showed interest in "Beowulf" transcript and planned to direct this movie.


CLOSER LOOK TO DIRECTOR


Director Robert Zemeckis is the pioneer of motion-capture technology in modern age movies. Motion capture or MOCAP is an extreme animation technology that translates the recorded movements of real actor/actresses in to digital format and characterizes them. It was first invented in Scotland, and later it becomes popular concept in military force, entertainment, sports and also in medical related fields.

Robert Zemeckis rose to fame in 1980's for his popular movie series named "Back to the future". It is a comedic science fiction movie trilogy written and directed by Robert Zemeckis. It was widely praised and positively received by the movie critics and viewers for its unique storyline and brilliant on-screen special effects. Robert Zemeckis also won Oscar for directing the famous movie Forest Gump.

He directed the first 3D movie with Motion Capture Technology, named "The Polar Express "in 2004. It was the first movie used the motion capture technology and was an instant hit and well received by the viewers. Being inspired from this movie's success, later he decided to direct "Beowulf".



MAIN CHARACTERS

1. Ray Winstone plays the character of the Beowulf (the protagonist and legendary hero of the movie).
2. Angelina Jolie plays the character of Grendel's Mother (An evil, vindictive, cunning and hideous lady).
3. Anthony Hopkins plays the character of King Hrothgar(the old, lazy and drunk King of Geatland, once was famous for his power and nobility ).
4. John Malkovich plays the character of Unferth(the honest and obedient advisor of King Hother)
5. Brendan Gleeson plays the character of Wiglaf(One of the best friend and lieutenant of Beowulf )


PLOT OUTLINE

The story develops in Denmark, where the King Horthgar was celebrating and enjoying the opening of new Mead Hall (a large building with a single room, which is exclusively used for festivals and celebrations) named Heorot.

There was dancing, singing and lots drinking going on at the King's party. This loud and noisy celebration irritated the Grendel so much that he decided to attack the mead hall. He attacked and killed lots of people but did not kill the King.

Next day morning, miserable and remorseful King decided to close down the mead hall and also declared that, he will give his half-kingdom to the person, who can kill the monster, Grendel.

Beowulf is a powerful and fearless fighter came in to Hrothgar's kingdom with his battalion via ship. He somehow persuaded the king to reopen the mead hall and also convinced him that he will be able to fight and kill the Grendel.

So the story tells us, how the mighty Beowulf fights against the evil Grendel. It also tells us how Beowulf ends up being the King of the Horhgar's Kingdom. It also depicts nicely how he makes the same mistakes like Horthgar and suffers from its aftermath.

This movie has a gripping storyline and some extraordinary and surprising twists in the storyline. The graphical representation and visual effects are simply mind-blowing and highly enjoyable.


MY PERSONAL THOUGHT


To be honest with you, I absolutely loved this movie. I am just thrilled and amazed at the wonders modern technology can do - it is just simply beyond my imagination. The remarkably great technology motion capture has been used in this movie with a touch of extra elegance and exquisiteness. Director Robert Zemerckis appointed over 450 graphics designers to make this movie more realistic and acceptable to the audience. To date, it is the largest team ever assembled for a movie animation and visual effects presentation.

I absolutely love the character of King Hrothgar. He is very kind and noble person and he really feels for his fellow country-men. He also realized that, just because of his early life's mistake his men were suffering now. He is really anguished, sorrowful for his shameful act and tries to forget it by drinking all the time. Anthony Hopkins did a grand job in the role of king Hrothgar. The flawless and eloquent delivery of dialogues with touch of constant agony and pain and a distressing look in his face, all these added an extra flavour in his character as King Hrothgar.

Ray Winstone the famous English actor, widely praised and well-known for his "Tough Guy" roles in movies plays the central character of Beowulf. He is a brilliant actor and did some super-hit movies. But he is almost 52 years old now. Just because of extreme 3d animation and extensive visual effects he looks like 22 in the movie with extra muscular figure. It is really weird and peculiar to be honest. Though his facial expression and body movements are really impressive and deserves sincere appreciation, still his voice to the character of Beowulf is kind of freaky. In certain places it was difficult for me to understand what actually he was trying to say. His high-pitched voice and war-voices are really odd and not natural. But that is my personal opinion.

Angelina Jolie played the character of Grendel's mother. She is a attractive, seductive, beautiful and devilish woman, who desires to make physical relation with stronger and powerful men in order to have heir. Angelina Jolie did an outstanding job in this role. Her sweet and seductive voice and immaculate facial expression is simply priceless.


VIEWERS RECEPTION

This movie received mostly mixed to positive responses from the viewers and also from film critics. It was ranked #1 in the USA box office and also in Canada. It was also received positively in UK box office. Currently it has a 6.6/10 rating in IMDB and voted by almost 50 thousand viewers. In another film critic website named Rotten Tomatoes, it received 70% rating, implies to a 6.5/10 based on 174 reviews.


AWARDS

Though this movie has not won any significant awards, but has been nominated 12 awards in total mostly on the exceptional visual effects category.


THINGS THAT PLEASED ME

1. Outstanding and almost realistic 3D animation and visual effects.
2. Brilliant characterization of King Hrothgar and Grendel's mother.
3. Superb fighting sequences with remarkable visual effect.
4. The presentation of dragon in most unique and realistic style.
5. Good sound tracks.
6. "A Heroes Journey: Making of Beowulf" a 30 min video shows and explains how this epic movie was made and also about the uses of extensive 3D effects and animation.


SOME INCONVENIENCES

1. Extreme visual effect animation and software-techniques applied on Ray Winstone's character as Beowulf, makes it kind of unrealistic and unbelievable.
2. Freaky voice over Beowulf character(specially high pitched dialogues)
3. It is kind of long considering the time of almost two hours.(Specially the 2nd half is really long).
4. Some action sequences are very violent and not suitable for younger generation.


SOUNDTRACKS

The soundtrack for this movie is composed and edited by the famous composer Alan Silvastri. The album was released in 20th November, 2007 under Warner Bros records. There are some really nice tracks such as the A hero comes home is simply amazing, another one is the as gently as she goes.


FINAL THOUGHT AND RECOMMENDATION

Despite of some negative remarks and reviews, I still think it is an outstanding movie. Lots of hard works and efforts have been made to make this movie. It is definitely worth to watch and buy the DVD for personal collection. The spellbinding storyline, extensive visual effects and engaging fighting scenes made this movie highly enjoyable. If you have not watched it yet, please go watch it, I am very sure you will like it.


DVD FEATURES

I rented the theatrical DVD version; it is subtitled in three languages I guess, English French and Spanish. I am not so sure because I only selected the English subtitle option, because I was having difficulties to understand what Beowulf was saying at times. It also supports wide screen facility as well as 5:1 surround sound. Which is really impressive and you can have a feeling of watching it at the theatre. The sound effects and graphical representation is simply awesome.

There is one almost 30 min clip titled "A heroes Journey: The making of Beowulf". Though I did not check it on the DVD, later I watched the video in youtube. Believe me it is simply marvellous to see how much trouble and efforts they have gone through to create this legendary movie. Every little detail has been explained and how the voice over character works also been described nicely.

AVAILABILITY

Since it was almost over a year, so either you have to buy the DVD or rent it. You can buy the DVD from Amazon, play.com and some other stores; it will cost you almost £5. You can rent this movie from lovefilm or blockbuster.

Thank you very much for reading.

©Gladiator007



*** This review also been posted at HELIUM and also in CIAO under same username. ***

Summary: An interesting and highly enjoyable movie with outstanding visual effects, recommended.