Beowulf (2007)

Director: Robert Zemeckis

Cast: Ray Winstone as Beowulf / Golden Man / Dragon, Anthony Hopkins as Hrothgar, John Malkovich as Unferth, Robin Wright as Wealthow (as Robin Wright-Penn), Brendan Gleeson as Wiglaf, Crispin Glover as Grendel, Alison Lohman as Ursula, Angelina Jolie as Grendel's Mother, Paul Baker as Musician #1, John Bilezikjian as Musician #2, Rod D. Harbour as Musician #3, Brice Martin as Musician #4 (as Brice H. Martin), Sonje Fortag as Gitte (as Sonja Fortag), Sharisse Baker-Bernard as Hild, Charlotte Salt as Estrith

When going into the theatre to see this I in two minds - it was my
first 3D movie and I had heard good things, however I wasn't
particularly taken by the concept or the trailers. I was unsure what to
expect, however I ended up leaving the cinema extremely satisfied with
the film, and tellingly, unable to stop discussing it long after the
ride home.

Visually it is an absolute treat, Zemeckis uses 3D superbly, some of
the camera angles and sequences are as great an art as the
photo-realistic animation. Occasionally the odd shot appears where the
impression is that it was set up solely to emphasise the 3D (e.g.
starting at the end of a branch and panning out) and whilst this
doesn't add to the film it is actually a pleasant reminder of the
novelty of 3D.

There are only two areas that let Beowulf down aesthetically: the eyes
and the mouth. The eyes were static throughout and it is the little
details that make the difference when trying to make something as
uber-realistic as this, such as the fact that the pupils didn't react
to light. As for the lips - they're just not quite there yet -
sometimes the speech didn't seem to be quite right.

The characters are expertly introduced and developed, most notably
Anthony Hopkins character, Hrothgar and the tension between his wife.
Grendell and his mother are wonderfully creepy and seductive, and
bizarrely enough almost encourage sympathy.

For me the most disappointing part of the film was actually Ray
Winstone as the titular character - he was fantastic when talking in a
low growl, however the film really suffers when he shouts in full
cockney accent. "I will kill your monstah!". I half expected Grendell's
head to be smashed between a car and it's door. John Malkovitch is a
saving grace with his none-more-sinister voice and interesting faith
sub-plot.

The rating for this film has been hotly discussed and in my opinion I
do not think it is suitable for children under the age of 12. Grendell
would have truly terrified me as a child. The violence, as well as
bawdiness, does not make it a family film for young children although
having said that the lewd references do provide good humour and
balances out the movie.

So, overall, this was worthy of an 8. Breathtaking animation,
incredible action (especially the finale featuring an excellent dragon)
and a generally brilliant cast. Beowulf throws down the gauntlet to
film-makers to show what can be done with 3D and is an indication of
the potential. It's not all the way there yet, but it's a damn good
start.