Many of us have read the poem of BEOWULF back in high school. BEOWULF is the story of a warrior (the stuff legends are made of) who rids Demark of a monster called Grendel, kills Grendel’s Mother and then returns home to Sweden to rule as king only to fight only last major battle against a Dragon. In the battle BEOWULF is gravely injured and dies. This tale of BEOWULF the Mighty has been told many times and many different ways over the centuries but in essence it represents the best of Norse Warrior Tales. Zemeckis tells the story in an exciting and completely different fashion then the original tale.

SPOILER (highlight text below to read)!!

In this version the EGO driven BEOWULF kills Grendel by ripping off his arm while screaming "I am BEOWULF" (he then returns to his cave to die in his mothers arms)!! Then when his mother seeks revenge shortly after, he ventures to her lair only to be seduced by Grendel’s Mother (who promises him everything) who wants a son in return for the son that BEOWULF has taken from her. BEOWULF returns with Grendel’s head as proof that Grendel’s Mother is dead. The king on the other hand knows better as he had fallen for the same trick many years ago with the end result being the birth of Grendel. The King realizes BEOWULF is lying about slaying Grendel’s Mother but is happy nevertheless because the Curse is lifted from his shoulders and he is now FREE. He declares that BEOWULF be named King in the event of his death and then takes his own life. BEOWULF is now king (just was Grendel’s Mother has promised) and suddenly realizes “what” he has done. Much later in life BEOWULF is haunted by the deed he did for Grendel’s Mother, his Son. The Son is a powerful Hybrid human-creature (a Dragon). BEOWULF kills the Dragon and is injured during the battle, dying shortly after. This version differs from the original story (I hear scholars screaming now) but works well as Robert streamlined the story for those who have NEVER read the poem.

Visually BEOWULF the IMAX 3D Experience is a spectacular piece of movie making. It is RARE to have two movies in one year that are absolutely ground-breaking from a visual standpoint, but in this year of movies, both Transformers and BEOWULF set the BAR extremely HIGH! BEOWULF the IMAX 3D Experience opens with some “outstanding and mind blowing” 3D effects. In the opening scene we are treated to liquid running down the entire the screen. The running liquid looked as if it was running directly down the 3D glasses on my face and “we” the audience let out a collective “wow”. The level of depth in the 3D animation is completely amazing and light years ahead of any 3D movie to date. The detail in every environment is SHARP, from the ship racing through a storm with waves battering the ship carrying BEOWULF and his Geats to Denmark to the elegantly crafted wooden Meadhall to Grendel’s first attack where he rips off limps and crushes everyone in sight (at least everyone that attacks or screams in horror). Every “single” scene in this movie was conceived to maximize the use of 3D technology. I have never been so mesmerize in my life. During the first 10 minutes I was in a trance watching the king (played by Anthony Hopkins), the people and his warriors participate in a semi drunken orgy in the Meadhall. The festivity symbolizes one of the great pastimes in “Merry Making”. The sound in BEOWULF is good and really stands out when Grendel screams in pain (with blood running from his ears) from the sound of Merry Making when leads him to ravage the Meadhall. But when Grendel dies in his Mothers arms, her Scream is completely overpowering and bone chilling (damn near scary).

The pace of the movie is not great but good. Between the awe inspiring 3D effects to the battle between Grendel and BEOWULF to the final battle with BEOWULF and the Dragon, you feel entertained without feeling like the story is forced and drawn-out to justify the visuals. The movie also contains a bit of humor. The exchanges between BEOWULF and the Kings right hand man (played by John Malkovich) Unferth are classic. Unferth believes that BEOWULF is a hack who tells big stories and that he is not capable of stopping Grendel (which will earn him riches from the King). He confronts BEOWULF about losing a great race across the sea. This leads BEOWULF to tell the tale of losing the race because he was attacked by Sea Monsters. This scene is told in epic fashion that all tales are told and is one of the BEST action scenes in the entire movie (not that any of them are bad). The story is the stuff of legends and BEOWULF’S telling of the story does not disappoint for a second.

Grendel’s Mother who is played by Angelia Jolie is a sensual creature who feeds on the weakness of men. Angelina Jolie in CG form is still one of the HOTTEST women in Hollywood. She appears in the movie naked but without nipples (well, you can see them a little) and no hair or camel toe. Regardless, she is captivating, sexy and irresistible. It is hard to fault BEOWULF as she is a creature that is capable of catering directly to ones sexual desire. Character development in this movie is a bit of surprise. I found myself attached to several characters such as The King, his young Queen and BEOWULF’S best friend Wiglaf who is loyal to the very end (well almost). The King is haunted by the horrible mistake that is Grendel and his wife soon comes to learn of his “past” encounter with Grendel’s Mother leaving her repulsed and hesitant to touch and sleep with him. Wiglaf holds BEOWULF in near “god” status believing he can kill any man and or demon. In this eyes BEOWULF can do no wrong and he will follow BEOWULF to certain death if necessary. In all, BEOWULF is monument of movie making and represents one of the best animated movies EVER DONE. BEOWULF also represents the FUTURE of movie making and I say it is about “time”.

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