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| Beowulf - 1 Disc Edition [2007] | ![Beowulf - 1 Disc Edition [2007]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51S6u5xr7mL._SL160_.jpg)
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Avg. Customer Rating:  (based on 45 reviews)
Sales Rank: 96
Category: DVD
Actors: Ray Winstone, Anthony Hopkins, Angelina Jolie, Robin Wright Penn, Brendan Gleeson
Director: Robert Zemeckis
Publisher: Warner Home Video
Studio: Warner Home Video
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
Label: Warner Home Video
Format: Dolby, Pal
Language: Greek (Original Language)
Rating: Suitable for 12 years and over
Media: DVD
Running Time: 110 minutes
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 7.1 x 5.4 x 0.6
EAN: 7321902208022
ASIN: B000Y86NS6
Release Date: March 17, 2008
Theatrical Release Date: 2007
Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
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Amazon.co.uk
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 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: Read 40 more reviews...
not good, but not bad either!!!! May 9, 2008
After reading all the excitment about this film, i was dissapointed. The CGI was good, the dragon was good but it lacked something o' yes real acting!! There is only so much CGI you can get away with. I borrowed this film and i'm glad i didn't buy it.I do like fantasy films, but this would not be in my top 10.
Interesting and Better Than I Expected May 9, 2008
In general I agree fully with Ralph Moore's excellent review. Especially regarding the unfortunate casting of Ray Winstone as Beowulf. Epic hero or EastEnders baldy? I'm afraid the latter was the lasting impression and that terrible modern voice grated against the historical context! Spoilt it for me. Should have been Sean Bean whose diction and regional dialect have a wonderful timelessness to them. It was much better than I expected, however, watched on DVD rather than at the cinema. The special effects were stunning and the scenery spectacular. The Anglo-Saxon dialogue was a beautiful, lyrical tendril of history that reached out and made the back of my neck prickle in some subconscious, primeval recognition. Wonderful that a mainstream film should be based on an epic Anglo-Saxon poem and a twinkling gem amongst all the Hollywood pap and crap. The CGI did make for a certain woodenness that I don't think will ever be overcome. The passing of hand-drawn animation on the big screen is unfortunate, because lost with it are the imperfections that give the characters 'soul'. The golden age had already passed by 1960 and if you watch Beowulf and Snow White and the Seven Dwarves back to back (!) you will hopefully see what I mean. The magical element of colour and light was lost from this rather dark film and there were no passages of Dark Age natural beauty to lift it. No leafy forests full of birdsong, no windswept heath, no summer rain, no "scent of hawthorn in the sun or bracken in the wet". Pity. The range of senses that the story and plot offered were not exploited fully by the makers. As Mr Moore noted, the gratuitousness was a clumsy approach in a film with this subject matter. For anyone who enjoys action or is remotely interested in the history of these isles it is essential viewing.
Decent film but not fantastic May 2, 2008
Firstly I must admit that I haven't read the epic poem on which this film was based but I can see certain bits when it took leave of the original material! Not that that's necessarily a bad thing.
This is a good film but you'll get what you want from it. The animation, dispite being called wooden by some of the other reviewers, I found to be quite impressive. Especially Anthony Hopkin's character. The first monster, Grendal is quick impressive too! The action sequences are outstanding, the battle between Grenal and Beowulf is visually astounding.
This being said, I finished watching the film and was left with a feeling of "peh", if that makes any sense. I enoyed the film but it left no lasting impression further than "oh, that's the end is it?". I think this feeling was in a large part due to the fact that the film is set in once place and does not really deviate from that one location. I think this makes large parts of the film seem to zip by compared to other films using different locales which seem to break up the film more and give more of an impact.
Maybe that's just me though. As I've said, this film is good and deserves a viewing but don't expect to be left with a life-changing feeling.
 1 star is being generous!!! April 28, 2008
I was looking forward to seeing this film as it seemed to have it all, great actors, a good storyline and graphics - was I disappointed!!!!
The story seemed to go nowhere and in the end I resorted to reading the local paper, my advice to you is to try a different dvd and don't waste your money on this dull story.
 okish! April 27, 2008
0 out of 2 found this review helpful
i went to see this in the cinema and was anoyed, i didnt think it was that good, the plot poor literally everything was rubbish. but the only thing i liked was the animations they were very good
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