Definitely worth a watch.

Rating: 6/10 (12 September 2019)

There have been several Beowulf's brought to the screen, from lower budget Gerard Butler through to Antonio Banderas' hugely underrated 13th Warrior. This is a more straight forward adaptation of the original legend albeit with a very interesting twist by the always talented pen of Neil Gaiman (author of American Gods and Coraline) that is in keeping with the parent/child conflict of Greek Myth and the cyclical nature of Norse mythology.
Beowulf is tempted by the riches on offer from King Hrothgar whose kingdom is cursed by the monster Grendel. Beowulf rises to the challenge but lurking behind Grendel is the greater threat of his Mother.
Stylistically it's a PG13 Polar Express and other than gimmick factor (and that Ray Winstone isn't built to be a leading action hero anymore) it's hard to fathom why it's animated rather than love action but it's rendered well and I soon forgot I was watching an animation.
The voice talent is great, Ray Winston is a great bullish young hero and as the older, jaded Beowulf really excelled. The always talented Brendan Gleason is fantastic as right hand man Wiglaf and Angelina Jolie is a disturbingly sexy Grendel's Mother (this is part of the plot). Anthony Hopkins, John Malkovich, Robin Wright and Crispin Glover round our the main cast.
Ultimately it's a story of sin, corruption, power and glory which is at the heart of the original epic poem.
It's not a perfect film but it isn't a bad one and I thoroughly enjoyed it.