Though the plot focuses on action, there is great tenderness for the Viking tradition (even if some say this is Anglo-Saxon), and it is not marred by needless updating. This alone makes a film worthy, especially these days. The lustiness and heroism of these great warriors is not muted by apologies, and one may enjoy this film as a standalone historical (or perhaps mythological) epic. In this vein, and for this genre, the film is meaty. Could it have done more? I think not, given that Lord of the Rings used a trilogy to squeeze out characterization and subplots. Beowulf on the other hand traverses at least two different stories in the two hours afforded.The characters are marvelous, if somewhat familiar. A perfect respite from the wise-cracking Thor of Marvel films. Ray Winstone is the epitome of Beowulf, Anthony Hopkins does a wonderful job as King Hrothgar, Brendan Gleeson is the great sidekick, and Angelina Jolie is ravishing as Grendel's mother. Like subplots, sub-characters, such as John Malkovich's Unferth, don't get enough time, which is good, because it means you wanted more. Even Grendel (Crispin Glover) is somewhat brief. Everything seems realistic and characters act like real people, not caricatures, which seems to be the norm lately. The dialogue matches expectations, even if there is more we'd like to know.The high point of the film is the extravagent NINE-MINUTE battle between Beowulf and the dragon, which in 3-D is dizzying. This is also an emotional battle, so there is extra energy to it. In CGI, there is so much more that can be done, and I like the balance director Robert Zemeckis struck between keeping it real and milking the fantasy with animation. The music is rousing and fitting. I enjoyed the overture and the theme song, but I am sucker for Enya and Celtic in general, as well as Scandinavian traditional.Like Alien and Independence Day, this is a film I could watch over and over. It over-delivers on its promises.

I've never read the original Beowulf story but movie is incredibly entertaining. Ray Winstone's performance as the titular geat had me infested the entire time and the CGI, for being 11 years old now, is simply fantastic. The only flaw I can think of is that towards the start of the third act(around the 40 minute mark) the film hits a storytelling slump. That's all. More films like this which celebrate the male gender need to release in current day.

It was just too much...but to be fair I saw it in 3D. The none 3D version may have actually been better, but honestly I have no way of knowing.At first it was, well, it was wow. I had never actually seen anything in 3D, being far too young for for the first round of popular 3D movies to hit the theater, but my father assured me it was nothing compared to this...He also assured me it didn't make him as nauseous, and sometimes I can see where he's coming from on that point.It came out right in the first wave of the new 3D, right when 3D was becoming popular again and actually worth it.And it was jaw dropping even if some of the motion made my old man sick.But it was also too much. A new technology and one that was a spectacular in itself, but not exactly tested to perfection.It seemed like a 14 year-old girl putting on make-up and not yet understanding that less is more.Less than half an hour into it, I had no idea what was going on, the 3D was too distracting to even attempt to follow the plot.About an hour into it, the 3D got boring, and yes, still over-the-top distracting.By the time I left I had the feeling that I had just experienced something that I had never experienced before. I had the feeling that watching a movie on the big screen would never be the same again...but I still couldn't figure out if I saw a movie or not.

I love this movie! The scene where Beowulf battles the Sea Serpents is STILL (10 years later) the best action sequence ever committed to film. BEEOOOOOWULF!!!! Along with sweet action, frame composition, artistry, and lovingly calculated swinging CG breasts, the movie has some great themes and lines. Like, "The Age of Hero's is dead. The Christ God has killed them all and left man kind with nothing but weeping martyrs, fear, and shame." Sure, CG Malkovich is pretty creepy and does not feel real, but I blame this largely on casting someone whom we know how they should feel. Most of the characters are very well done, especially for being way ahead of it's time.Zemeckis is the bomb, and this is him at his most fun...