With a director like Robert Zemeckis and an all start
cast including Anthony Hopkins, John Malkovich, Robin Wright, Crispin Glover,
and Angelina Jolie you would think it has to be great. Sadly the answer is no,
no, no, no, and hell no.
The two biggest issues with this movie are the computer
animation and the script. The animation
technique – also used in the stinker “300” – is annoying and disturbing. I’ve seen better motion capture animation in
some of William’s older video games. I’ve
heard people call it amazing and great.
I just don’t see it. I have
nothing against CGI – my movie collection has many a superhero and sci-fi flick. I also have no issue with using tech to
capture an actor’s performance and overlay it as has been done with Andy Serkis
in both Tolkien and Ape franchises. In this film the characters are wooden and clunky.
Now I love the Beowolf poem. I love it so much I spent a semester learning
this form of ancient English so I could recite the poem in its original language. I own multiple copies and translations. The problem is that Neil Gaiman and Roger
Avary change the whole story and alter character behavior. Aside from character names and some minor
details, it bears little resemblance to its source. They missed the entire
point of the epic poem which has withstood centuries. With their thinking these writers would
probably have Hamlet marry Ophelia with a mess of kids, turning a major tragedy
into a poor version of “A Comedy of Errors.”
In looking at his body of work, Avery’s writing has never been to my
liking. However, Gaiman later wrote two
excellent episodes of Dr. Who (“The Doctor’s Wife” and “Nightmare in Silver”).
Regardless, if you are trying to get a handle on the
text, do not (I repeat, do not) use this movie to help you understand the
story. You will flunk English. May I recommend instead reading the modern
English translation by Seamus Heaney.
I guess it goes without saying, but I did not enjoy the
movie.
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