This film is set on the epic poem ‘Beowulf’ (more details, worth the read, here), part of which goes like this:
But a warrior of Hygelac’s
heard of Grendel’s doings;
he was the strongest of men
alive in that day,
mighty and noble.
That man called for a ship,
said he would cross the ocean
and help the king who needed help.
Wise men urged him
to that adventure
though he was dear to them.
They examined omens
and whetted him on.So the good Geat chose
the bravest warriors,
fourteen of them,
and that crafty sailor
led them to the land’s brim,
to the ship.
They readied the ship
on the waves under the cliffs
and the warriors stood at the prow
as the water wound against the sand.
The warriors bore
into the ship’s bosom
bright weapons,
fitted armor.
It is a very (very) long poem, 12 “episodes” long, you can read it online from start to finish here. Apparently in the UK the poem has national epic status and most children go through their basic school levels having studied this poem.
Unfortunately I did not know all this or I’d have definitely wanted to see the movie. As it was, all I knew about the film was that (a) it was animated (b) Angelina Jolie appears naked in the movie. I protested against seeing the film only to be met by strong reactions for the boys. For reason (b) naturally.
Let me then set the record straight. It is a fantastic film. It sees movie animation reach new heights - indeed it is a tribute to the excellent animation in the film that one completely forgets it is animated at all - it seemed to me like we were actually watching Angelina Jolie, Anthony Hopkins, John Malkovich in the flesh. In fact most characters hardly looked animated at all [well all except Robin Wright's character (the queen) who looked constipated most of the film]
Having no idea about the poem when I saw the movie, I was also intrigued by the story line, glued to my seat, thrilled by the amazing animation. Set about a 1000 years ago, the movie has an epic feel about it right from the beginning. It’s a ride - and though it’s both squeamish & silly at times, you come out having enjoyed it. This is not a movie to be talked about, it is a movie to see, in a way - to experience.
And yes, Jolie is hot.
Tags: Angelina-Jolie, Anthony-Hopkins, Beowulf, Epic-Poem, John-Malkovich, Robin-Wright
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November 25th, 2007 at 2:17 am
It doesn’t look animated because those were real actors wearing blue suits and doing the act. It is also known as “motion capture cinematography”, a process of digitally recording actors’ movements for a life-like style of computer animation.
The only caveat here is that of the faces because the human faces have the most expressive parts that moves in small junctures. That is one reason why the eyes were rather in-human and the lips more-animated than other movements.
This same technique was also used in “The Polar Express” by the same director but with lesser effect than we have in Beowulf.
Unfortunately, India will unlikely be able to see the best - IMAX 3D. I’m not even sure of the IMAX Dome at Wadala will care to get a print for the movie freaks like us!
Btw, Beowulf is being released in 3 formats - a standard two-dimensional computer animation, a 3-D theatrical print and in IMAX 3-D.
Trivia: The male casts has to shy away many times during the shots as their manhood reacted to seeing Angelina Jolie constantly in the skin-tight blue suit.
November 25th, 2007 at 6:21 am
After reading the reviews of the movie, I wasnt sure I wanted to see the movie. But I did go last night… for the same reason - strong reactions from friends!
And pleasant surprise, our local theatre was playing it in 3-D!!! And yes, it was mind blowing! I cannot believe the heights that animation has reached. They might have been real actors wearing suits, but watching this movie in what they call ‘real 3D’ was just beyond words!
And I can so believe that last bit of trivia that Braj gives above.
November 25th, 2007 at 7:16 am
Excellent review. Perked my interest in the movie even more. This one I save for the big screen.
November 25th, 2007 at 8:44 am
Now I feel guilty I cancelled the plans to go watch it
November 25th, 2007 at 11:26 pm
Ah Beowulf! English BA mentioned it. But nobody ever mentioned Angelina. Must go watch. Hope its worth it.
November 26th, 2007 at 1:51 pm
thanks for the beowulf poem link…btw the movie really is awesome
November 26th, 2007 at 3:02 pm
guess i’ll catch it this week!!
November 26th, 2007 at 3:55 pm
this shd be kinda like 300. They used HDR in 300 though
November 29th, 2007 at 9:58 am
@ Dev: Great, 3-D must have been fabulous! All the reviewers are raving about it!
@ M: Merci beaucoup! And yes, it’s worthy of the big screen (3-D if possible!)
@ Preshit: Well, it’s still running, so..!
@ Vij: I hope you like it too. Somehow knowing you did you BA in Eng having studied it makes me unsure. The movie does take a lot of liberties and does not stick to the poem 100%. But yeah, Angie probably will make it worth it!
@ Rossoneri: You’re welcome - I searched online everywhere since I wanted to read it myself. Thought I’d make it easy for you guys!
@ Sam: Enjoy!
@ Bloodmire: That’s what one of the guys with me said “300 was so good, there are bound to be copies” - but another disagreed, “this is not a copy of 300″, said other. I can’t comment as I haven’t seen 300.