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Wednesday, November 14, 2007
The blood, guts and 3D pokes in the eye of ‘Beowulf’
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
“Beowulf,” the epic Old English poem turned with clockwork precision into a movie that looks exactly like a virtual videogame, has a fire-breathing dragon, a hideous monster, brutal battles, endless bloodlettings, ages-old abs like “300” and long peeks at Danish fair maiden bosoms.
The film, rated PG-13, might not come with a joystick, but at least 11 metro Atlanta theaters will be showing it in 3D - which means blood often splatters toward a moviegoer’s face and pointy spears keep getting poked near a viewer’s eyes.
Happy holidays to you, too.
Even more local theaters will be showing the film in regular format when it officially debuts on Friday. But there are also early screenings Thursday night.
The movie, which alters the original tale of a tall, heroic Scandinavian (voiced by Ray Winstone) who battles monsterific figures like the deformed Grendel and a gigantic dragon, is a kind of heady mixture of live action and animation. “Beowulf” director Robert Zemeckis and crew captured the movements of his actors and rendered them in a computer into a kind of virtual flesh. It might not always look real, but in 3D the visuals can be compelling.
Here’s what moviegoers will likely be talking about once “Beowulf” debuts:
Grendel - Tall and merciless, he looks like the Elephant Man with a pituitary gland gone bonkers. His bloody fights with sword-bearing Thanes during his attacks on a Danish mead hall are frequently graphic and bathed by a raging blue fire that intensifies the horror. Weirdo actor Crispin Glover voices the deformed creature, spouting a kind of compelling, gutteral Old English.
Angelina Jolie - As Grendel’s monstrous mother, she’s playing a shapeshifter and when revealed she’s a long-legged beauty who, apparently, invented stiletto heels. In interviews, Jolie has reportedly talked about how surprised she was by her character’s nudity. I can confirm her character has impact.
The violence - Warriors get ripped apart by Grendel or skewered or chomped on or squashed. The innards of sea monsters spill out in a flashback as Beowulf relates one of his tales of bravery.
The humor - One doubts anyone will label the infrequent intentional-or-not comedy sophisticated. At one point, Beowulf strips before facing Grendel (the fight will be mano-a-creatureo) and well-placed props - a candle, a sword, etc. - mask our hero’s privates.
The 3D - Often, it enhances the viewing experience and is easier on the eyes than earlier three-dimensional formats. The film will be shown in IMAX 3D at the Buford Mall of Georgia. It will be screened in digital 3D at limited locations, including Hollywood 24, Medlock Crossing, Mansell Crossing, Discover Mills, Snellville’s Carmike 12, the Mall of Georgia, Southlake Pavilion, the Crossroads 16, Riverstone 15 and Arbor Place Mall.
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