Not sure how to rate this movie. It’s done a very good job in surprising me with new techniques in cinematography, but I just cant help but think I am watching Shrek. Anyhow, this movie must be watched in the theaters or it’ll lose its novelty. I have just given the outline in order not to spoil the surprise and special effects… (Note that I have changed my rating method to be based on percentage for easier reference.)Storyboard (25 of 25):
Very good plot. Based on an ancient Anglo-Saxon (AD700) heroic epic poem by an anonymous author, this story goes about weaving stories of demons and monsters, both real and nightmares that haunts the consciences of Kings of the olden days. A very violent yet enlightening movie that touches the hearts of people who greeds fame, power and wealth. It’s a reminder to those who are currently on their journey seeking for these elements, as these are the people who will easily and unwittingly fall into the traps of evil dark demonic forces – traps which are set by their very own seeds, seeds which were sowed by their very own hands.
Story is set in a small kingdom in Denmark, just a few hundred years After Christ, when modern civilization just started to bloom and folklore and witchcraft was still largely practiced and believed. The royal family (King Hrothgar and Queen Wealthow) and their people are plague by occasional violent monster attacks by a troll called Grendel who launches attacks every time the human celebrates. Beowulf, a great Geat (Scandinavian) warrior, decided to take up King Hrothgar's challenge to defeat Grendel in the name of glory. In those days, peoples’ lives become meaningful if their deaths are talked about in stories and poems for generations and across nations. As such, everyone fights hard to die gloriously in battle. And the person who can stay alive after many victorious battles with both mortals and demons will be honored as King. In his quest to eliminate Grendel, Beowulf finds himself entangled in a demonic curse; cast by Grendel’s evil but seductive mother, which have sentenced many Kings and their Kingdoms into great misery.
Cinematography (15 of 25):
This movie uses a new filming technique, called motion capture. As such, the computer generated imagery (CGI) was good, but too much for me. Director Robert Zemeckis couldn’t have made this movie with all its stunts without CGI but too much of it just leave a bland aftertaste. My logical mind kept telling me that it isn’t real. I mean, I can watch a real person do weird stunts with CGI and still believe they are doable as I am seeing the real person doing it with my own eyes . However, seeing an animated character doing it, no matter how real, just doesn’t cut it to make it believable! Although the animation was really, really good, I don’t think this movie can win awards in the normal category. Maybe the best animated movie category.
Issues (20 of 25):
This ancient tale addresses most of the crossroads we encounter in life.
1) Love
2) Courage
3) Loyalty
4) Betrayal
5) Religion
6) Honesty
7) Greed
8) Disillusion
Casting (20 of 25):
Good casting as it uses the right people for the right characters. Angelina Jolie fits perfectly as the temptress witch mother with her irresistible beauty and seductive voice. Anthony Hopkins plays the mighty but drunk King Hrothgar very well. Robin Wright Penn character displayed the inner sorrows very well through her eyes. Ray Winstone was casted for the Beowulf character because of his outstanding performance in television as King Henry VIII.
Very good plot. Based on an ancient Anglo-Saxon (AD700) heroic epic poem by an anonymous author, this story goes about weaving stories of demons and monsters, both real and nightmares that haunts the consciences of Kings of the olden days. A very violent yet enlightening movie that touches the hearts of people who greeds fame, power and wealth. It’s a reminder to those who are currently on their journey seeking for these elements, as these are the people who will easily and unwittingly fall into the traps of evil dark demonic forces – traps which are set by their very own seeds, seeds which were sowed by their very own hands.
Story is set in a small kingdom in Denmark, just a few hundred years After Christ, when modern civilization just started to bloom and folklore and witchcraft was still largely practiced and believed. The royal family (King Hrothgar and Queen Wealthow) and their people are plague by occasional violent monster attacks by a troll called Grendel who launches attacks every time the human celebrates. Beowulf, a great Geat (Scandinavian) warrior, decided to take up King Hrothgar's challenge to defeat Grendel in the name of glory. In those days, peoples’ lives become meaningful if their deaths are talked about in stories and poems for generations and across nations. As such, everyone fights hard to die gloriously in battle. And the person who can stay alive after many victorious battles with both mortals and demons will be honored as King. In his quest to eliminate Grendel, Beowulf finds himself entangled in a demonic curse; cast by Grendel’s evil but seductive mother, which have sentenced many Kings and their Kingdoms into great misery.
Cinematography (15 of 25):
This movie uses a new filming technique, called motion capture. As such, the computer generated imagery (CGI) was good, but too much for me. Director Robert Zemeckis couldn’t have made this movie with all its stunts without CGI but too much of it just leave a bland aftertaste. My logical mind kept telling me that it isn’t real. I mean, I can watch a real person do weird stunts with CGI and still believe they are doable as I am seeing the real person doing it with my own eyes . However, seeing an animated character doing it, no matter how real, just doesn’t cut it to make it believable! Although the animation was really, really good, I don’t think this movie can win awards in the normal category. Maybe the best animated movie category.
Issues (20 of 25):
This ancient tale addresses most of the crossroads we encounter in life.
1) Love
2) Courage
3) Loyalty
4) Betrayal
5) Religion
6) Honesty
7) Greed
8) Disillusion
Casting (20 of 25):
Good casting as it uses the right people for the right characters. Angelina Jolie fits perfectly as the temptress witch mother with her irresistible beauty and seductive voice. Anthony Hopkins plays the mighty but drunk King Hrothgar very well. Robin Wright Penn character displayed the inner sorrows very well through her eyes. Ray Winstone was casted for the Beowulf character because of his outstanding performance in television as King Henry VIII.
Overall Score: 80 B+
A 81-100 Highly recommended, must go to Theaters
B 61-80 Recommended Watch
C 41-60 Give it a try
D 21-40 Wait for the DVD
E 0-20 You can give this a miss
B 61-80 Recommended Watch
C 41-60 Give it a try
D 21-40 Wait for the DVD
E 0-20 You can give this a miss
