I love it! I can only stand people around me for...Beowulf
Sunday, December 2nd, 2007
So I saw Beowulf in 3D on Tuesday at the IMAX in Waterloo, and enjoyed it immensely.
I hadn’t heard much about the original legend of the heroic Beowulf, but I couldn’t help but notice the media attention garnered by the movie, especially the appearance of a scantily clad Angelina Jolie.
Watching the film in 3D was like how I’d imagine travelling in first class London – New York would be; it would be difficult to downgrade to the economy level after experiencing the pleasure of entering the third dimension.
The opening scene was a gory CGI-fest, where we first encounter the monstrous Grendel as he attacks a bawdy celebration held by the King Hrothgar (Anthony Hopkins). We also meet the beautiful young Queen Wealthow (Robin Penn Wright – who played Buttercup in the Princess Bride 20 years ago), who was really the only blameless character in this tale of male lust and revenge.
The cocky Beowulf and his entourage arrive to kill the monster, and add to his heroic legend, but has he met his match in Grendel’s mother, who appears to him in the form of the tantalising Angelina Jolie?
I don’t want to spoil the mystery for anyone who is planning to see the movie, but I will confirm that there is plenty of eye-candy in the form of a semi-naked Beowulf, and indeed the gorgeous Ms Jolie (who appears to be completely naked, except for some golden body paint).
I was never bored during the 113 minutes of the movie, as the action scenes were so exciting. Beowulf himself seemed like almost a caricature of a hero, with his extreme arrogance and appetite for danger. Maybe I’m just used to the archetype of the reluctant hero, instead of this hero’s musky brand of cocky bravado. I warmed to him though, as his enthusiasm for life and adventure was infectious.
Throughout the movie I felt reminded of the theory of the Uncanny Valley, that there’s a point at which simulated humans begin to look creepy because they look so similar to us but there is something “off” about them. The characters in Beowulf had no life behind the eyes, and so I found it difficult to emotionally connect with them. I found this most annoying with the queen, who was a sympathetic character, and whose emotions were conveyed primarily in her facial expressions.
I was also partly disappointed with the depiction of Grendel’s mother (Jolie), as when she spoke she looked unreal. Those famous lips seemed not to belong to her face.
However, the moment when she first rises from the waves, and that last long gaze she gives the king, were delightful.
Since watching Beowulf, I saw 300 and felt that the latter’s use of CGI-effects to enhance its live action would have been a better choice for Beowulf.
Urban Recluse Rating: 
2:56 am on 3-Dec-07
I am very curious about this film. I enjoyed the story of Beowulf when I read it, and don’t want to see it bashed about by Hollywood. It will probably end up on my Netflix list next year.
Jolies’ lips don’t belong to her! Well, they do but they are a tribute to the plastic surgeon who inflated them!
11:09 am on 3-Dec-07
Wonderful review.
I just watched it again with some friends, this time on the IMAX 3D, instead of the Real 3D version in the normal theaters. It was certainly better in IMAX. That Jolie intro was even more breathtaking. (Yep, she’s pretty much nude)
The only drawback I had was the audience wasn’t that well behaved in this time.
11:51 pm on 3-Dec-07
Nicholas: you should see it at the cinema if you can – it’s ideal for the big screen.
Semaj: thanks, I didn’t know it was also in 3D at the normal cinemas. My audience was okay during the film, some of them were a bit jumpy during the 3D wildlife/dinosaur trailers as they weren’t used to things jumping out at them. And the Jolie intro left me breathless. I may have to watch it again before it leaves the IMAX.
1:38 am on 4-Dec-07
Thanks for the review I’ve only talked to one person whose seen this and they thought it looked nice but didn’t really like it and couldn’t expand on why…so this review was a lot more helpful.
Ahhh shirtless Gerrard Butler…even if it is CGI I’m sure it’s a beautiful thing.
4:23 pm on 4-Dec-07
I haven’t seen this yet, will be checking it out with at least a dozen friends this weekend
8:22 pm on 4-Dec-07
You may wish to see what I posted, a couple of weeks ago, when I reviewed it after seeing it here in the States, near Atlanta, Georgia.
You can do that by going to my website, and clicking on My Blog.
I saw it at an IMAX, in 3-D also. The only way to see this film, I’d say!
I’ll visit your Blog again, soon!
11:35 pm on 5-Dec-07
Hi Becca, 300 was a beautiful meat-fest. Must see it again soon.
Jamaipanese: welcome back, I’m sure you and your friends will enjoy the film.
Lisa Allender: thanks for visiting, I really enjoyed your review of the film.
1:57 pm on 9-Feb-08
[...] Beowulf’s back at the IMAX – by popular request – and I’m tempted to see it a third time…) [...]