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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.
Permalink | Comments (8) | Categories: Bob Longino
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By V for Vendetta
November 14, 2007 11:25 AM | Link to this
I, for one, am glad. As a teacher, I absolutely LOVE the thought of our oldest piece of English literature getting turned into a rip-roaring movie experience to excite future generations. The fact that it’s rated PG-13, so more people can enjoy it, makes it even better.
Of course, there will be plenty of detractors who complain about the violence, the partial nudity, and the gore. But you know what? I don’t care about those close-minded individuals. They are exactly the type of people who don’t understand literature. Hooray for violence! Hooray for a PG-13 movie that pushes the boundaries. And hooray for giving people the chance to choose FOR THEMSELVES what they want to watch (based on appropriateness). Screw the MPAA, long live movies like Beowulf.
By Temp
November 14, 2007 2:29 PM | Link to this
Too bad they didn’t make this movie as a hard R like they originally planned. Blood, guts, nudity the way it should be, not watered down in PG-13 form. Alas, hopefully they haven’t ruined it by dumbing it down. Not everything needs to made as a child appropriate film and Beowulf is definitely one of those stories. I’d also like to echo V’s sentiment of “screw the MPAA”.
By JB
November 14, 2007 3:03 PM | Link to this
Hey ‘V for Vendetta’, if you’re a teacher…why are you playing on the computer instead of teaching? No wonder our kids are so stupid.
By Charles
November 15, 2007 12:08 AM | Link to this
‘JB’, that was a stupid and unnecessary comment.
By bgh79
November 15, 2007 8:27 AM | Link to this
JB, ever thought that there are computers in schools and classrooms? And that teachers do have some breaks here and there? Also, if you look at the time the post was made, 11:25AM, it might be close to their lunch time, or maybe during lunch.
Think before speaking. You’ll find it will help you out in life.
By Steve
November 15, 2007 8:30 AM | Link to this
Want to see Beowulf done right? Check out BEOWULF THE LEGEND, the graphic novel by VLE Comics, with killer art by Andy Lee and co-written by…well, me. Visit VLEComics.com to see the way it should be done.
By Steve
November 15, 2007 8:30 AM | Link to this
Want to see Beowulf done right? Check out BEOWULF THE LEGEND, the graphic novel by VLE Comics, with killer art by Andy Lee and co-written by…well, me. Visit VLEComics.com to see the way it should be done.
By Kyle
November 20, 2007 4:33 PM | Link to this
Has anyone heard of freek.com giving out a free screening for beowulf and drinks?