Fantasy Flix: Vikings

Thursday, January 10, 2013

Beowulf & Grendel (2005)

Director: Sturla Gunnarsson

Writers:

Andrew Rai Berzins, Anonymous (epic poem "Beowulf")

The blood-soaked tale of a Norse warrior's battle against the great and murderous troll, Grendel. Heads will roll. Out of allegiance to the King Hrothgar, the much respected Lord of the Danes, Beowulf leads a troop of warriors across the sea to rid a village of the marauding monster. The monster, Grendel, is not a creature of mythic powers, but one of flesh and blood - immense flesh and raging blood, driven by a vengeance from being wronged, while Beowulf, a victorious soldier in his own right, has become increasingly troubled by the hero-myth rising up around his exploits. Beowulf's willingness to kill on behalf of Hrothgar wavers when it becomes clear that the King is more responsible for the troll's rampages than was first apparent. As a soldier, Beowulf is unaccustomed to hesitating. His relationship with the mesmerizing witch, Selma, creates deeper confusion. Swinging his sword at a great, stinking beast is no longer such a simple act. The story is set in barbarous Northern Europe where the reign of the many-gods is giving way to one - the southern invader, Christ. Beowulf is a man caught between sides in this great shift, his simple code transforming and falling apart before his eyes. Vengeance, loyalty and mercy powerfully entwine. A story of blood and beer and sweat, which strips away the mask of the hero-myth, leaving a raw and tangled tale.

I've never been a big fan of Beowulf adaptations. This one is really no different for me. This is not a bad movie, I just found it kind of boring. The story has some changes for this adaptation, but overall it's the same. Beowulf comes to save the day from Grendel....

There is really not a lot of action here. There's a lot of possible action, but it never seems to come to fruition. Grendel basically demolishes everyone and then demolishes himself.

The acting, of course, is great with the likes of butler and Skarsgard. Also, it's nice to see "The Hound" himself in Rory McCann. Sarah Polley is fine, but shows little emotion through the film. One thing that bugged me was that everyone seemed to have an accent except her. I'm not sure why she was cast in this.

There is no nudity or even any sex appeal to be had in this movie. Unless of course you are in love with Gerard Butler.

The scenery of Iceland is, of course beautiful and is really the star here.

The practical effects of Grendel and the Sea hag were nicely done, but not great. However, it's always nice to see practical effects at all in this day and age.

Overall, this is a decent movie with little to complain about. If you like the Beowulf tale and never tire of seeing it, then you might enjoy this. Personally, I found it a bit boring with little to capture my attention

Verdict: Beowulf lovers only

The Cast

Gerard Butler ... Beowulf

Stellan Skarsgård ... Hrothgar

Sarah Polley ... Selma

Ingvar Eggert Sigurðsson ... Grendel

Tony Curran ... Hondscioh

Steinunn Ólína Þorsteinsdóttir ... Wealtheow

Rory McCann ... Breca

Ronan Vibert ... Thorkel

Eddie Marsan ... Father Brendan

Spencer Wilding ... Grendel's Father

Philip Whitchurch ... Fisherman

Martin Delaney ... Thorfinn

Ólafur Darri Ólafsson ... Unferth

Mark Lewis ... King Hygelac

Hringur Ingvarsson ... Young Grendel

Gísli Örn Garðarsson ... Erik

Gunnar Hansson ... Grimur

Gunnar Eyjólfsson ... Aeschere

Elva Ósk Ólafsdóttir ... Sea Hag

Benedikt Clausen ... Selma's Child

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Crociati (2001) AKA Crusaders

Director: Dominique Othenin-Girard

Writer: Andrea Porporati

I could not find a trailer for this movie.

Towards the end of the eleventh century, Pope Urban II announces a crusade against the Saracens, who have occupied the holy city of Jerusalem. Three young friends # Richard, Peter and Andrew # set off to join the crusading army. The three friends come from very different backgrounds: Andrew is a shepherd; Peter is a poor bell founder, and the illegitimate son of a Christian woman and a Saracen man; and Richard is the deeply religious son of Baron William of Aurocastro, who was murdered by his rival brother Corrado. The violent methods used by the crusaders soon cause the three friends to fall out with each other, and after a bloody attack on a Jewish monastery, they go their separate ways: Andrew remains with the crusaders, while Peter and Richard accompany the attractive Jewess Rachel whose teacher, a rabbi, was killed in the raid to Jerusalem. Andrew is very reluctant to see Rachel go, having like Peter fallen in love with her at first sight. In Jerusalem the situation is very tense: the Saracen governor is having the Christians expelled from the city, out of fear of crusader spies. Peter, Richard and Rachel manage to trick their way into the city, but shortly afterwards Richard is arrested. When the crusaders, with Andrew at their head, arrive at the gates of Jerusalem, the former friends now face each other as enemies because to save Richard, Peter has joined the side of the Saracens. The city cannot withstand the onslaught of the crusaders and their fierce fighting spirit, and soon falls into Christian hands. Peter prepares an escape route for himself and Richard. Rachel has decided to stay with Andrew, however, who has also confessed his love to her. Peter and Richard return to their homeland. Richard, already seriously ill, dies on arrival. Peter marries his childhood sweetheart Maria and works as a bell founder again. Years later he meets Rachel and Andrew again. Andrew is now the feudal baron of Aurocastro. He has built an enormous cathedral and wants Peter to make the bells for it.

I knew nothing about this movie before I started watching it. What I got was a pretty epic tale of three dudes joining the crusades and picking sides. I generally love me some epic adventure story telling, but I am not too sure about this one. The plot overall is pretty straight-forward. It does have some nice moments story-wise. But frankly, I was a little bored.

Even though the movie is nicely paced, I couldn't help but watch the clock. I guess I just didn't care that much and the action wasn't very good. Perhaps I am too "used to" the over-the top violence of such movies as Braveheart and 300 that the action sequences here just seemed ho-hum. I'm not saying they were badly done, they were just a bit boring.

I suppose my other prblem with the movie was the acting... or was it? Frankly, I couldn't tell if the acting was any good or not because the over-dub was atrocious. I suppose I should have expected that in an Italian made movie, but most of the actors appeared to be speaking english, but their voice just didn't match well and the "voice" acting was not very good and sometimes laughable.

To keep up with my routine, I suppose I have to talk about the women. The women (there were only really 2) were fairly attractive, but nothing to write home about. There is one quick moment of nudity in this film, which surprised me because without it, this would be pretty much "family-fare".