Beowulf, Mythical Hero
Review by John Dixon

I suspect most of you have heard of Beowulf. What was once one of the oldest poems from Western Culture has now become a major motion picture. I saw Beowulf in 3D at the Wynnsong Cinemas. Most of the film is skillfully animated but even when certain live actor scenes are inserted, it is difficult to tell the difference because the transition is so seamless.

This movie certainly earned it's PG- 13 rating because it was full of griping and gruesome action and more than a little suggestive content. I cannot understand why a cranky, rambunctious three- year- old was sitting in the audience.

There were some interesting creative choices made by the producers that just did not fit with the legend of the world's first super hero. Even though the film was animated and creative censoring could be used, I don't understand why Beowulf fought Grendel in the nude. I do not remember that part from the printed epic, and my friends and I agree we could have done without it.

I will say the action sequences were incredible and worthy of Beowulf's legendary exploits, but, as we all know, nothing is above creative license. As I recall, Grendel's mother was described as a hideous troll wife in the original legend, not a beautiful woman so excuse me if Angelina Jolie isn't exactly what I had pictured here. Also the character, Wiglaf, is omnipresent through the whole movie rather than only being at hand for Beowulf's final battle.

The interaction between Beowulf and Grendel's mother was also quite different than I remember and changing their encounter cheapened Beowulf's once noble image as did the added scenes that painted him as vain and self aggrandizing.

Still the animation and action were more than I expected so I highly advise seeing Beowulf in 3D because some of the effects are incredible.

One of my favorite effects was the image of an axe flying towards me and coming out of the screen. One of the best action sequences in the whole movie is when Beowulf flashes back to fighting sea monsters. Each attack in the scene brings a horrific end to one monster until, in the end, only Beowulf stands victorious.

This film, though animated, is not a cartoon and is undeniably not intended nor appropriate for small children. Although this movie was action packed and had wonderful animation, I feel I must take away a star for creative license besmirching the legend. It also loses an additional half star for unnecessary nudity. Beowulf in 3- D gets three and one half stars.