Beowulf (Unrated Director's Cut)
starring: Ray Winstone, Crispin Glover, Angelina Jolie, Anthony Hopkins, John Malkovich
directed by: Robert Zemeckis
directed by: Robert Zemeckis
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Product Description:
Movie DVD
Amazon.com:
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 physicalized 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 lushly 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
Movie DVD
Amazon.com:
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 physicalized 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 lushly 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
Average Rating:
Rating: - IMAX only
My 37" flat screen just doesn't begin to compare with the IMAX presentation. It's dark and hard to follow anything on screen.
Originally I caught it in a regular theater and it was OK.
Glover wae at his best and makes the movie.
Rating: 
- I know this isn't Beowulf, and yet, the weaknesses and vanity is writ large on the screen
This is not Beowulf, the classic poem which has been so beautifully translated by Seamus Heaney - or written for children by Michael Morpunga (sp) - however as a version of Beowulf displaying the strength, bravado, and weaknesses of Beowulf and the grim nature of Danish and Geat kingdoms, this is an extraodinary telling.
I wondered how much Neil Gaiman had in the telling - certainly through Zemeckis, this version has a great deal of humanity, as well as humour. I really enjoyed it as ... Read More
Rating: 
- He.... is ...... BEOWULF!
Cool movie.Saw it in 3-D back when it came out.I would have given it a 5 had it been in 3-D.As far as Beowulf goes. Where do I start.Well I'll say that watching Beowulf in action made me question my own machismo.He strips naked infront of a woman to fight Grendel only because it would make it a fair fight.He literally yelled at a man who was trying to kill him to do so and the man broke down in tears because Beowulf was way too much man to kill. Beowulf simply told his right hand man to ... Read More
Rating: 
- Where are the People?
I had heard that this "movie" was CGI, so it was not a surprise to me when I saw it. Still, I must say I was disappointed with it for the very reason that it was CGI. Maybe I'm old fashioned but I like real people, real actors, real sets and real action. Cartoons are fine for Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck, but why for a movie like this? I don't get it. I can't help but think what the result would have been if Casablanca were a made as a CGI cartoon, or High Noon or Indiana Jones. Of course the story itself ... Read More
Rating: - amazing
what great movies are made of. it floored me after seeing it. very engrossing - great use of technology- great story
- IMAX onlyMy 37" flat screen just doesn't begin to compare with the IMAX presentation. It's dark and hard to follow anything on screen.
Originally I caught it in a regular theater and it was OK.
Glover wae at his best and makes the movie.
- I know this isn't Beowulf, and yet, the weaknesses and vanity is writ large on the screenThis is not Beowulf, the classic poem which has been so beautifully translated by Seamus Heaney - or written for children by Michael Morpunga (sp) - however as a version of Beowulf displaying the strength, bravado, and weaknesses of Beowulf and the grim nature of Danish and Geat kingdoms, this is an extraodinary telling.
I wondered how much Neil Gaiman had in the telling - certainly through Zemeckis, this version has a great deal of humanity, as well as humour. I really enjoyed it as ... Read More
- He.... is ...... BEOWULF!Cool movie.Saw it in 3-D back when it came out.I would have given it a 5 had it been in 3-D.As far as Beowulf goes. Where do I start.Well I'll say that watching Beowulf in action made me question my own machismo.He strips naked infront of a woman to fight Grendel only because it would make it a fair fight.He literally yelled at a man who was trying to kill him to do so and the man broke down in tears because Beowulf was way too much man to kill. Beowulf simply told his right hand man to ... Read More
- Where are the People?I had heard that this "movie" was CGI, so it was not a surprise to me when I saw it. Still, I must say I was disappointed with it for the very reason that it was CGI. Maybe I'm old fashioned but I like real people, real actors, real sets and real action. Cartoons are fine for Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck, but why for a movie like this? I don't get it. I can't help but think what the result would have been if Casablanca were a made as a CGI cartoon, or High Noon or Indiana Jones. Of course the story itself ... Read More
- amazingwhat great movies are made of. it floored me after seeing it. very engrossing - great use of technology- great story
