Old English Poem Turned Into Full-On CGI Feature

Rating: 4/10 (7 May 2008)

Ray Winstone is turned into a semigod here, who would have believed that? Well, BEOWULF makes you believe. This is the adventure of Beowulf, a hero warrior that arrives to help King Hrothgar whose under attack from a hideous demon. This is a huge step forward for CGI-animated movies, as its ambitious scale helps the depth of this vision come through, there aren't any look-at-me-compositions here, only subtle choreography. The intimacy of the story is largely confined to three locations, and the plot revolves around terror-from-the-mountains, but all eyes are on Beowulf, as supposed to. And director Robert Zemeckis allows the third act of the movie to grow, giving it a true heart and soul, as we see Beowulf as the King of the Land he once came to save from monster Grendel's merciless attacks. Now, he ain't the man he was, he's filled with poignancy as he realizes what it really takes to be a true hero. BEOWULF is entertaining throughout, and it's off course candy for the eyes - still, at times its rather po-faced and too much for its own good. Apart from that, this is a rousing experience.