Beowulf - Limited Edition 2 Disc Steelbook Director's Cut (Exclusive to Amazon.co.uk)

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Editorial reviews

Amazon.co.uk Review
Spectacular animated action scenes turn the ancient epic poem Beowulf into a modern fantasy movie, while motion-capture technology transforms plump actor Ray Winstone (Sexy Beast) into a burly Nordic warrior. When a Danish kingdom is threatened by the monster Grendel (voiced and physicalised by Crispin Glover, River's Edge), Beowulf--lured by the promise of heroic glory--comes to rescue them. He succeeds, but falls prey to the seductive power of Grendel's mother, played by Angelina Jolie... and as Jolie's pneumatically animated form rises from an underground lagoon with demon-claw high heels, it becomes clear that we're leaving the original epic far, far behind. Regrettably, the motion-capture process has made only modest improvements since The Polar Express; while the characters' eyes no longer look so flat and zombie-like, their faces remain inexpressive and movements are still wooden. As a result, the most effective sequences feature wildly animated battles and the most vivid character is Grendel, whose grotesqueness ends up making him far more sympathetic than any of the mannequin-like human beings. The meant-to-be-titillating images of a naked Jolie resemble an inflatable doll more than a living, breathing woman (or succubus, as the case may be). But the fights--particularly Grendel's initial assault on the celebration hut--pop with beautifully animated gore and violence. Also featuring the CGI-muffled talents of Anthony Hopkins (Silence of the Lambs), Robin Wright Penn (The Princess Bride), and John Malkovich (Dangerous Liaisons). --Bret Fetzer

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Customer reviews

review by: date: 2008-10-09 rating:
Much better than some of the revues on here!
Knowing Beowulf received mixed revues when it was released I wasn't expecting too much from this film, but I have to say my fears were unfounded - Beowulf is a much better film than I dared hope. The story was engaging, the action was exciting, and the animation was superb - none of the characters suffered from Polar Express style 'dead' eyes (at least not when viewed on a tv screen), although when horses ran into mid distance (which takes up all of 10 seconds of screen time) they did appear to be bouncing about like berserk washing machines!

All in all then, recommended - unlike the negative reviews on here! The majority appear to take smug umbrage at the fact that evil Hollywood filmmakers have dared to make a film of the sacred Beowulf text, mainly because some of them have actually read the (even more sacred) Seamus Heaney translation. NOTE TO CRITICS: a) you're not the only people to have read Beowulf b) Beowulf was composed over generations to be recited by storytellers, all of whom would have told the tale in their own way, subtracting or embellishing the tale how they saw fit - exactly what the filmmakers have done here c) you do know that Beowulf did exist long before Seamus Heaney came along, don't you? They idea that Beowulf starts and stops with him is ludicrous.

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review by: D. Durling date: 2008-09-16 rating:
not arf bad
I watched the directors cut version of this film, having recently read the Heaney translation of the original story.

The film shows superb CGI, and the extras showing how the film was made are well worth watching. The animation does give the film a slightly fairy tale feel which is in keeping with the story, that is flesh eating monsers and fire breathing dragons.

However, the film is disappointing for a number of reasons, many of which have been mentioned by others. The voices are at times very strange, veering from Welsh to bad Slavonic to genuine Anglo-Saxon. I didn't have a problem with the Anglo-Saxon parts, which seemed to me added an authenticity. The Beowulf voice, while strangely cockney at first, had an edge to it that was believable in a warrior. Some animation is just very poor, especially in the action sequences. It is too Shrek-like in places, but then alternates with realism, for example Grendel's mother is eye-poppingly real.

But perhaps the big letdown for me is in the authenticity of the interpretation. Zemakis is on the DVD as stating that he found the original boring when he was forced to read it in high school, and his dislike shows in the film. Hollywood has a need to fill the 50 year gap in the middle of the story, so has invented a new tale about Grendel's mother. In doing so, and in compromising the hero with seduction and avarice, the director has ignorantly wiped away the social codes, the valour, and the high bearing of the original hero, and thus completely destroys the feeling of that time. Beowulf did not behave in this way, and there are much more subtle and ethical messages in the original.

This is a missed opportunity to do something significant with a classic, but it is tainted by a dumb Hollywood imperative that has produced just another action movie. Read the book, the pictures are better.

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review by: date: 2008-07-05 rating:
Gaiman at his (almost) best and a visual stunner!
I truly can't believe there are snobs that trash this movie because of its lack of fidelity towards the original story! Hello, this is the 21st Century. No one would beleive, or like, a story about a perfect arquetipical heroe nowadays.

Those of us who love Sandman and all of Gaimans work know that this is precisely what he does best, adapting old legends and story's to the complexity's and shades that todays public expects and demands. He does a deliciouse job of it, as is his custom. The caracters are multidimensional and their interactions also.

It is also extremly beautifull to watch! Ok, the computer generation is still not good enough to capture extreme subtlety's of expression on the actors faces but its still an enormouse advance over other movies. The facial gestures are expressive and, unless you get too fickety, totaly belivably. You find yourself at first, marvelling over the visuals and finally, forgetting its not the real thing. Its sooooo beautifull!

A fantastic cast, great story, fantastic action scenes and a totally enjoyable experience. Surprising on many levels. Enjoy!

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review by: Ash date: 2008-05-16 rating:
Entertaining but not Extraordinary
Some of the effects in this film are incredibly realistic to the point where you'd almost believe it was live action film. Some of them are also a little questionable looking. Some great action sequences but I have to suggest this movie has a bit of violence and a few references to sex - don't just ignore the 12 rating and let your 5 year olds watch this.

Also one thing that did slightly annoy me is that Grendel (while following from the stories speaks in Anglo-saxon tongue) was very hard to understand unless you replayed it back over and over again. There should have been some subtitles.

It's a story of legend, heroism, lust and greed. If those are your four favourite qualities in a movie I'd say go for it.


review by: Symphonic Metal Fan date: 2008-05-11 rating:
ENTERTAINING...
Look it's no masterpiece BUT it's enjoyable! The CG animation while still yet to achieve photo realism is excellent & it is action packed!
The Grendel monster is REALLY well done & the climactic battle with the Dragon is probably the best of its type since 1981's Dragonslayer!
Probably the best animated character belongs to Anthony Hopkin's King Hrothgar. Actually looks like Hopkins!
Visually it is stunning & as a whole it's certainly better than many of it's peers. It's surprisingly gory in parts with some risque, adult humour as well - Definiteley NOT a kid's film!
I'd recommend buying this along with Beowulf and Grendel starring Gerard Butler as you will get 2 very different but worthy versions of the same story.
If you liked Lord Of The Rings, Pathfinder or 300, I honestly can't see you not liking this.

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