Beowulf
Director: Robert Zemeckis
Rated: M15+
Now screening


'Beowulf' could, in some ways, be seen as the next logical step for the 'swords and sorcery' film- a movie comprised entirely of CGI. It's a visual style used in abundance in the likes of 'Lord Of The Rings' and '300', and as such feels at home in this cinematic version of the old English epic poem of the same name. The movie follows titular hero Beowulf (Ray Winstone), who is called to defend a village from a horrible monster named Grendal. After Grendal's defeat, Beowulf's men are slain by Grendal's mother (Angelina Jolie), an even more formidable creature, furious for her son. But when Beowulf confronts the demon, he is faced with a new kind of challenge that effects the outcome of the rest of his life.

Anyone who has read the poem is likely to be disappointed at how incredibly far this film strays from the original plot. If you aren't familiar with the story, you might not notice it (aside from a few distinctly Hollywood lines of dialogue it's not that far removed from the Greek poems and plays you may have studied in high school), but fans of the source material will likely be annoyed.

On the other hand, if you're expecting visual splendor, this is a movie that certainly delivers, for the most part. Although a few scenes are well and truly set in the Uncanny Valley and for some reason a few bits here and there have the frame rate of a 12 year old's claymation production, generally it all looks so good I actually forgot it wasn't live-action at times. The few battle scenes are attractive and intelligently staged, feeling appropriately epic, even if none of them are hugely memorable.

All things consider, 'Beowulf' is the kind of 'take it or leave it' film that isn't exactly a must-see, but not one that needs to be avoided either. In this sense it's typical summer fare, and worth a look on that warm Tuesday afternoon when you feel like getting out of the house for a bit.

Note: The print presented for review was the standard version. There is a 3-D version of this film too, which is likely to provide a more exciting visceral experience.

James O'Connor