Movie Review: Beowulf
I went to the movies last Sunday to see Beowulf. I didn’t read much about the movie online before seeing it nor saw a full trailer, so I didn’t have much of an idea that it’s an “almost” animated film, presented in 2D (or was it 3D?) All I knew was the little info I got way back in high school that Beowulf is an epic poem in Old English. That’s all. I don’t even remember how the story goes. I got curious to see the movie because I was wondering how the Hollywood guys can transform a historic and heroic epic poem into a movie. Plus the fact that Angelina Jolie is playing the role of Grendel’s mother, who is famously the antagonist in Beowulf. *hehe*
Anyway, so there I was, almost shocked when the film started because I thought the people in the movie looked like the ones in Shrek. You know, “cartoonish.” I was kind of disappointed. But a few minutes later, when a morning scene played which is a lot more brighter than the first dark scenes, I was finally beginning to appreciate the movie’s animation. The characters didn’t look like they’re the same as the ones in Shrek anymore. Not even close. In fact, I think the animation is brilliant. There’s definitely a CGI/special effects history going on here. The sound is fantastic. I was almost jumping in my seat because of the sound’s effects.
I find the fight scenes kind of scary, not to mention gruesome, especially that of Grendel while he terrorizes the people at the start of the movie. He looks like a horrible monster and he kills the people by tearing them apart and throwing them, coupled with loud monstrous roars. I was really wondering how in the world could Beowulf kill this monster, especially when Beowulf’s first scene played. He looks just like a normal guy, only with big muscles and a very brave self, compared to Grendel who’s this big, supernatural monster. But Beowulf did kill Grendel and that made me think, “Now, what?” The movie just started. What else could be here?
Little did I know of the story which will follow. This is where Grendel’s mother comes in. I find it funny that she has “built in” biological heels. Grendel’s mother is a monster who walks naked with a braided pony tail as a real tail. And natural heels stuck on her feet. I don’t know if the filmmakers were trying their best to make Grendel’s mother look sexy (and funny) or they’re really basing her looks on historical facts. Really, what’s up with the heels? :) I think Angelina Jolie suits the role perfectly. Besides the whole look of Grendel’s mother, not to mention her almost naked body and computer generated boobies (which I think was quite unnecessary..but it’s Angelina Jolie and it’s Hollywood, so there you go!), she looks perfect as the lurer who has caused the fall of generations of kings. I couldn’t imagine any other actress besides Angelina Jolie as the look and the role for Grendel’s mother.
Crispin Glover, you know the weird “hair” guy from Charlie’s Angels and the “rat” guy from Willard, plays Grendel. I didn’t recognize him at all in the movie. Grendel looks horrible, with a disfigured face and although Crispin Glover’s facial features are quite distinct, I couldn’t see a trace of him in Grendel. It would have been better if they made Grendel looked a bit more like Crispin Glover. But I guess Grendel is a really disfigured faced monster. I think much of what Crispin Glover contributed to his role as Grendel were the movements and the loud roars and screams. Grendel would also talk sometimes in a different language, especially to his mother. And I was wondering why, because it can’t be understood. Who understands Anglo-Saxon and all that Old English language now? It would have been better if it was in English. (Or maybe it was but only spoken with dramatic feelings from a dying monster, that’s why I couldn’t understand it.)
I also found out later that Robert Zemeckis directed the film. Among his films are Forrest Gump, Cast Away and What Lies Beneath. And lately he’s been getting into all this animation/CGI stuff, as seen with Polar Express, his previous film. Beowulf is a different type of film from his previous works and I still can’t imagine him as the director of this movie. But anyway, good job!
Anthony Hopkins, Robin Wright Penn, Ray Winstone, John Malkovich, Brendan Gleeson, and Alison Lohman join the cast.
I enjoyed watching Beowulf. It’s definitely something to Wow at. Good entertainment!
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)