Okay, I hear what you're saying. I'm about 4 months too late to review this film, but since it came out on DVD Tuesday past, we were finally able to see it. I had heard a lot of bad reviews from people about this movie, which had me terrified that I would hate it, being as picky as I am. I tend to be especially picky when medieval and ancient texts are involved, but I have to say that the screenwriters, Gaiman included, did an excellent job coming up with viable explanations for some of the plot holes in the original Beowulf text.
Many of the people who complained about the film had mentioned that they didn't like the animation style and hints of Shrek continued to pop into their minds while they were watching. I'm not sure what was expected of the film, since it was known that it was animated and 3-D. Yes, the animation technology today is amazing, but let's face it, it was animation, and I thought there were several scenes that were filmed very well and that looked incredibly realistic. I do agree that at times, Grendel's movement seemed very puppetlike, but then he was so unnatural a creature I thought that it added an extra something to the characterization.
I heard several critical friends call it boring (if you've ever read Beowulf, let's all agree now that it was a far cry more interesting then any of the translations...) and though it did fill in plot holes with imaginary happenings, I thought it provided an overall fullness to a story that often left me personally asking, but why?
I loved the lessons, as it was allegorical to begin with, but it went beyond the original lessons and touched more deeply on issues of pride, vanity, truth and self.
We all know that books to film are rarely every exactly as they happened, and while I myself have had several disappointments in my life after a favorite story was torn to shreds by Hollywood and co. I felt that it was another great interpretation of the Beowulf story, and will definitely be adding it to my collection so I can watch it again.
So if you saw this movie, I'd love to know what you thought. If you did not and are hesitant because of negative reviews, I'd urge you to give it a fair shot. You might be surprised, as I was. For the masses who hated it and think I've gone mad, I'll leave you with the notion that I've concluded that for me Neil Gaiman could wipe his nose on a tissue and I'd think it was a masterpiece. So kudos to Gaiman!
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Comments: 6
I however was not aware that it was animated.
But I liked this movie very much, although I was put off at first, put off by the trailers that I thought looked like cut scenes fro a video game and the fact that it could be seen in 3D in IMAX theaters. I thought this was just the ultimate in cheeze and just an exercise in seeing how far the technology has come. OK, I just adjust my expectations from seeing a medieval story of magic and monsters and get ready for a ride at Disneyland.
But then I heard that Neil Gaiman was one of the script writers and I thought that there must be something more to this movie than just a high tech thrill ride.
So I was all set to go see it in IMAX , prepared to be awed by the high tech and curious to see what NG had done to the script but unfortunately I never made it to the theater. (wish I had) so I can't report on the 3D effects.
I didn't actually get around to seeing it until it came out on DVD.
So, not sure what to expect, this movie really surprised me. I think it works well (if not great) on all levels. As a story, it is one of the better adaptions of Beowulf I've seen in the movies. (and there have been some awful ones) this one is a solid from start to finish. Best of all, Niel's dialogue comes through for the most part and if you watch the extras in the DVD you'll see explanations for why they decided to add this or that element to the story that make very good sense. The dragon's relationship to Beowulf (not giving too much away) was their idea and fills one of the huge plot holes that ~JennyBean~ H. spoke of.
So even though I missed the best of the high tech 3D stuff at the theater, seeing it on DVD had some real advantages. The extras explain a lot about the animation technology and the writers get to tell you why they told the story the way they did.
The animation is first rate. All the characters movements were filmed using live actors, which gave the action a very realistic feel. Crispin Glover's interpretation of Grendel is something to see and (when you've watched the DVD extras) you'll see just how much of it is the actor coming though all the effects and technology.
IMO, anyone who likes this kind of story should give this movie a try. Keep an open mind and I'd be surprised if almost everyone doesn't find something to like about it.
I'd like to thank you for giving me a nudge towards giving this movie a second chance. At first I was excited to see it, but when I found out that Ray Winston et al were actually animated, it came off my list of 'must sees'. After reading the comments here, I think I will actually give it a fair shake.