Retrospective: Beowulf (1999)
Dragan Antulov
A Film Review
Copyright Dragan Antulov 2004
In 1999 EATERS OF THE DEAD, Michael Chricton's novel inspired
by an ancient Saxon epic poem BEOWULF, one of the earlier English
text ever recorded, was adapted into THE 13TH WARRIOR.
According to the Hollywood custom of rival studios making two
movies based on the same idea, another film inspired by the ancient
text appeared, this one more directly linked to the original source. It
was BEOWULF, directed by Graham Baker.
The original poem was set Northern Europe before the beginnings of
medieval civilisation. Mark Leahy's and David Chappe's script sets
the plot of this film in Europe few centuries after the collapse of
modern civilisation. Traces of modern technology are usually found
in the hands of feudal warlords who rule over surviving humanity
with iron hand. One of those warlords is Hrothgar (played by Oliver
Cotton), lord of mighty castle called Outpost. Hrothgar has recently
been besieged by enemy army, but his real problem is invulnerable
and unstoppable monster that haunts Outpost and kills his best
warriors. Mysterious warrior called Beowulf (played by Christopher
Lambert) arrives to the castle and offers help in defeating monster.
Hrothgar accepts and in the first clash Beowulf manages to wound
the monster, despite receiving injuries himself. But when those
wounds mysteriously heal overnight, it becomes apparent that
Beowulf is something more than flesh and blood warrior.
Makers of BEOWULF had intriguing and refreshing idea - to mix
fantasy and post-apocalyptic setting. This novelty however, quickly
wears off, especially when becomes evident that Graham Baker drew
at least some inspiration from ALIEN 3 in creating atmosphere for
the film. Scenes in which unstoppable monster makes the short work
out of uninteresting and not particularly likeable characters are going
to bore the audience. Christopher Lambert, despite all of his attempts
to turn Beowulf into complex and potentially dark character, doesn't
help this film very much. Production and costume design are at times
very impressive but the film's low budget is revealed in something
disappointing special effects. The ending also leaves much to be
desired, but this surreal combination of medieval and modern,
underlined with the use of techno soundtrack, is going to provide at
least some entertainment to not too demanding audiences.
RATING: 4/10 (+)
Review written on September 29th 2004
Dragan Antulov a.k.a. Drax
http://film.purger.com - Filmske recenzije na hrvatskom/Movie Reviews in
Croatian
http://www.ofcs.org - Online Film Critics Society
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X-RT-RatingText: 4/10