Beowulf (2007)
Runtime: 1 hr 54 mins
Theatrical Release: Nov 16, 2007 Wide
Box Office: $82,161,969
Synopsis: Director Robert Zemeckis mines the epic Old English poem for his latest action adventure to feature performance capture animation. The medieval tale was adapted for the screen by Neil Gaiman and Roger Avery, and no doubt it bears little resemblance to the text you studied in high school. So... Director Robert Zemeckis mines the epic Old English poem for his latest action adventure to feature performance capture animation. The medieval tale was adapted for the screen by Neil Gaiman and Roger Avery, and no doubt it bears little resemblance to the text you studied in high school. So the story goes, King Hrothgar (Anthony Hopkins) and his people are being terrorized by the horrific monster Grendel (Crispin Glover). Hrothgar puts out a call to any brave man who can come and slay the monster. Enter Beowulf (Ray Winstone) and his brave band of soldiers. Beowulf is a mighty warrior, and he quickly dispatches Grendel, but in doing so he enrages Grendel's mother--played here by an extremely sexy and serpentine Angelina Jolie. Beowulf journeys out to lay waste to Grendel's mother as well, but soon finds his resolve tested by great temptation. His choice ultimately brings about a new curse--one far worse than Grendel--and he must live with regret, until the day finally comes when he is given a chance for redemption. Zemeckis first utilized performance capture in the magical Christmas story POLAR EXPRESS, but one certainly shouldn't expect any dancing elves in BEOWULF. The film features enough gore and bloodshed to rival a teen slasher film, and in the 3D versions, the viewer is sometimes given the perspective of blood actually raining down upon them. However, if one can stomach the ooze and innards, the 3D effects are truly something to behold, as spears and dragons seem to soar mere inches from your face. No doubt poetry purists will have much to haggle with in this violent, sexed-up version of the tale, but teenage boys everywhere are likely to queue up multiple times--if not to see Grendel, then to eyeball his mother. [More]
Genre: Action/Adventure
Starring: Ray Winstone, Anthony Hopkins, John Malkovich, Robin Wright Penn, Brendan Gleeson
Screenwriter: Neil Gaiman, Roger Avary
Producer: Steve Starkey, Robert Zemeckis, Jack Rapke
Composer: Alan Silvestri
DVD Info
Release:
Jul 29, 2008
Blu-ray Features:
- Region 1
- Anamorphic Widescreen
Audio:
- 5.1 Dolby Digital Plus- English, French, Spanish
- 5.1 Dolby TrueHD - English, French, Spanish
- Subtitles - English, French, Spanish
Additional Release Material:
- Additional Scenes - 1. Grendel Runs Towards Herot
- 2. Hrothgar Awakened By Unferth
- 3. Scylding's Watch Escorts Beowulf
- 4. Wealthow Shows Beowulf the Sundial
- 5. Beowulf Boasts to the People of Herot
- 6. Beowulf Hammer's Grendel's Arm
- 7. Celebration and Seduction
- 8. Wulfgar Greet Beowulf at the Stockade
- 9. Beowulf's Day Unferth Finds the Horn
- 10. Cain on the Barrows (Original)
- 11. Cain on the Barrows (Alternate)
- Featurettes - 1. A HERO'S JOURNEY: THE MAKING OF BEOWULF
- 2. IN THE VOLUME
- 3. THE VOLUME
- 4. T TIME
- 5. WHAT IS THE E O G?
- 6. LAY OF THE LAND
- 7. GIVIN' PROPS
- 8. SCANNERS
- 9. STUNTS AND RIGS
- 10. PLAN OF ATTACK
- 11. FIGHT ME
- 12. BABY IT'S COLD INSIDE
- 13. BEASTS OF BURDEN
- 14. THE ORIGINS OF BEOWULF
- 15. CREATING THE ULTIMATE BEOWULF
- 16. THE ART OF BEOWULF
- 17. A CONVERSATION WITH ROBERT ZEMEKIS
Interactive Features:
- Easter Eggs - 1. Coffee Break with John Malkovich
DVD-ROM:
- Weblinks
Buy It On DVD
Reviews
A worthy cinematic adaptation, with interesting and provocative mythic ideas of its own, and suprisingly lyrical images to match. [Blu-Ray]
The story contains plenty of action and great-looking graphics, but it hasn't much heart.
At one point Beowulf climbs through the bulging eyeball of a sea monster with all the nonchalance of getting out of bed. Respect is due.
Throw on your 3-D glasses and prepare to have your mind blown away.
Robert Zemeckis' Beowulf is so rousingly entertaining that you'll feel guilty for not reading the epic poem all the way through when you were in ninth grade.
Robert Zemeckis' take on Beowulf is a marvel visually but eye-popping effects are still no challenge for good old-fashioned human emotion.
At the end of it all, if you take away the violence, the defiantly in-your-face nudity, and Angelina Jolie, you will find very little story underneath.
This is not the future of films, but it is a future, especially for the action genre.
While the film's mission to enrapture teenage boys (and other fans of grand adventure) is accomplished, I'd have to suggest to Mr. Zemeckis that it may be time to abandon this form of animation.
It's a bland and lethargic piece of Hollywood tripe that not even the presence of Ray Winstone could salvage...
And one more bonus, the technology almost convinces us Angelina Jolie can act. Revolutionary, indeed.
... a real-life Dungeons & Dragons story brought to life... While not quite as epic as 300, it's still one hell of a good ride.
arkoyntos atmosfairikos kai epikos, me mia goiteytiki isorropia paramythioy kai gotthikoy ksekoiliasmatos gyro ap' tin eypepti alligoriki proseggisi toy thelktikoy tis eksoysias kai toy bromikoy tis ysterofimias
Hay algo en los ojos de un ser humano que a mi criterio es imposible de replicar. Pero la pasaremos excelente en el cine mientras personas como Zemeckis sigan intentándolo.
The 3-D effects are relatively tasteful, and the visuals often stunning.
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