Beowulf Reviews

[Highly rated reviewer]

Sick beyond belief

This film should definately not be a 12!

It was way too gory and violent. From the very first scene it was just disgusting. I hated every moment of it and only stayed to watch it because we had paid to watch it at the cinema.

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Very Missable

Being a lover of fantasy films, I was excited at the prospect of this film. Putting such a brilliant story on the big screen should have been a treat for the eyes. I saw this film in 3D and to be honest I'm glad I did, it really was a treat for the eyes. However, if i had seen it in 2D I think I would have walked out. The makers of this film spent 2yrs creating a film to look spectacular in 3D but forgot all about making an enjoyable film. The story telling capabilities of this film were poor and the soundtrack was so unconvincing that it may as well not have been there. In short, I was bored. There were scenes added just for the sake of the 3D effects, they had no link in the movie. If anything, the 3D effects looked best when they weren't forced. In the final scene with the dragon fight.....and the stupidly undersized dragon heart.....the 3D effects worked well, they weren't forced....just added. To top it all off, the new 3D specs are incredibly uncomfortable, they have no bridge so they don't sit on your nose properly. If you want my advice, I wouldn't bother seeing this film and if you do definitely see it in 3D, possibly it's only saving grace. To sum up, the best thing I got from the film was the head ache from the awkward 3D specs.

GO LARGE WIF IT

SAW THIS IN 3-D AND CAN ONLY SAY ITS AWESOME TO LOOK AT - BIT GORY FOR THE YOUNG UN'S THOUGH BUT A VISUAL EXPERIENCE NOT TO BE MISSED, ONLY 2 CRITICISMS RAY WINSTONE WAS JUSTA BIT TOO LONDON FOR ME AND ALTHOUGH THE ANIMATION WAS SUPERB THROUGHOUT THEY STILL CANT DO HORSES PROPERLY - A COUPLE OF MINOR FLAWS THAT DO LITTLE TO SPOIL AN EXCELLENT MOVIE - GO SEE IT ESPECIALLY IN 3-D IF U CAN

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[Highly rated reviewer]

Beowulf: Is this what the hype was about

Beowulf to me was a highly anticipated movie. I did not realise it was primarily a 3D movie, but it did not affect my viewing. I am glad I did not rush to a iMax theatre to see this though. The film started out really atmospheric and promising, the mead hall scene, although only in 2D, was enhanced by the high definition screens at the Vue and I felt as though I was there. Graphically at this early point in the movie I found myself transported back in time to the time of Beowulf. Unfortunately this was not maintained. The graphics devolved into something I am very familiar with in the form of the total war engine. The capital of Beowulf's kingdom was totally out of place with the 6th Century AD, with its round fairytale like towers and walls. Round towers were not used until the 12th and 13th Centuries! But taken this aside and looking at it as just a film it still was insufficient. The plot grew old very quick, I got the message of the film very quick but it just seemed too drawn out. The last 40 minutes just seemed to cover the life of a bitter and regretful monarch and did nothing to develop the characters. All character development occured in first half an hour, and even that was insufficient in my opinion. I was left confused as to the background of these characters. It does seem as though the 2D characters of ancient heroic myths really don't translate well into modern films, unless serious alterations to the original myth are done.

The level of violence and bloodshed was a bit excessive for a 12A rating, I personally (and I watch some fairly graphic films) thought this rating was inappropriate. In hindsight I would watch this film if it was on the tele as it was a good film which enabled me to just turn of a few braincells. But I would probably change the channel after Beowulf's fall as one can see the rhythmic pattern of history repeating himself. The story of Beowulf by the end of the film can be seen as a mirror of Brothgar's story (which one may determine from references at the beginning of the film). On this it has some interesting things to say, shame it does not deliver, here a little more embellishment was required to deepen the characters and therefore enhance the viewing experience.

Assault on the senses

I lasted about 30 minutes into the brutal onslaught on the senses. This isn't a movie, it's a demo of technology. Thoroughly unpleasant, utterly unwatchable rubbish.

Get the low budget Icelandic version 'Beowulf and Grendel' if you actually want a movie rather than a special effects monstrosity.

what a load of rubbish

this is the worse film I have watched in a long time

[Highly rated reviewer]

DISAPPOINTING

I cant say that ive ever been as disappointed with a film as i was watching this. Its boring, very violent(unnecessary), and just looks wrong. If the whole film had been like the end dragon fight, it would have been fantastic but it isnt. Unfortunatly the last 20 minutes cant save the film and I had already switched off my brain. People will watch this because its new but I bet there will be a lot of disappointed punters.

[Highly rated reviewer]

Just one word for it - Superb.

Very good film, good actors, good characters, bit cheesy in places, sexual inuendo's included here - ones the kids just wont get!! Was very loud, and very feirce, i think this could be a bit frighening for kids in places. Apart from that, very good. Different.

[Highly rated reviewer]

Beowolf - beware

rubbish - start to finish - utter dribble - my son (13) and a gamer - thought the same. Avoid at all costs.

Absolutely Fantastic

Action-packed - yes, gory - yes, sexy - yes, gripping too, and surprisingly sophisticated considering it is one of the earliest works of literature in the Anglo-Saxon language. It is fascinating to watch this Viking James Bond/DieHard. Timeless themes of power, wealth, sex, love, war, death... this tale has it all. Everyone should see it.