I took my kid to see Beowulf in IMAX-3D yesterday. I have to say, despite having to wear the glasses, it was a pretty cool viewing experience. They make a point of having spears, flying arrows, and dripping blood come directly at your face and you have to actively prevent physical recoil when that happens...pretty cool.
As for the story itself, if you're unfamiliar with the story of Beowulf, then you need to repeat high-school English lit. It's a classic and even dreadful government schools should have students reading it. Though it's author is unknown, it's basically a drama in the Shakespearian style about a Danish hero who makes a Faustian deal with an evil spirit in order to have riches and fame, only to fall at the end because of his greed. It sticks pretty closely to the most common interpretations of the original poem. It's got some gore, as in torn off limbs, bloody battles, and in one shot, Grendel(pictured above) eats off the head of a victim, but it's sort of cartoonish like "300". Also, if you know the actors going in, it's pretty easy to pic them out. Some of them look more like themselves than others, however. The price was a little steep at $9 per ticket but you get to keep your funky 3D glasses as a parting gift.
If you go see it, my only suggestion would be to read the Cliff's Notes of Beowulf and get familiar with the story, it'll make the experience more enjoyable if you aren't struggling to keep up with all the Danish names.
All in all I give it a thumbs-up. Don't take young kids though, the violence and gore might be a bit much.
4 comments:
The only question worth asking at this point, is how did the Angelina nudity scene go over ?
She looked pretty good but you could tell she was wearing a body stocking which they then colored digitally with gold paint splashes. Even in the close ups, it was clear she wasn't naked. Her scene only lasted a few minutes. She was wearing high-heels though...never quite figured out that one.
You do know she was pregnant throughout the filming of this right? and the guy cast as Beowulf is actually about 50 years old and overweight. The producers liked his facial expressions and voice, which is why he got the part.
Beowulf's animation was all around impressive, though the characters' movement reminded me a lot of Shrek. I appreciate the fact that this movie gives a pseudo-education in ancient literature (never had to read the book as a child)
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