Could this be the worst movie ever ?

Rating: 2/10 (5 February 2008)

The answer is yes. When one goes to see a movie that is adapted from a book or in this case an epic poem, one understands that there will be inconsistencies or changes to aid the story in its transition to the big screen. This being said, why do these adaptations insist on changing these great works into something that is barely representative of the original piece. This is entirely true of Zemeckis' adaptation of the epic poem. I don't understand why the screenwriters felt the need to change the characters and events in the poem. Honestly the story is pretty darn good to begin with, there would be very little that would need to be changed to adapt it to the screen. Why did they feel the need to turn the aged warrior king Hrothgar into a drunken, bumbling imbecile? Why did they change the Queen Wealthow into a whiny, lusting twit? Why did they turn Beowulf into a glory seeking, horny, liar? These are just a few of the character problems in this movie. Then there are the changes in the plot that stem from the characters. Where in the world did they come up with the idea to make Hrothgar Grendel's father? Why in the world would Beowulf sleep with Grendel's mother? Why was the dragon his son? Were these outlandish sexually driven plot changes a lame attempt to drawn in modern viewers. This is a terrible commentary on the movie going public if Hollywood feels that it must destroy great works to get a quick laugh and an extra buck.
Now to move away from how the original genius of the poem was ruined by this movie; the computer generated figures were absolutely terrible. Couldn't actors and CGI creatures and sets do the job just as well. Don't the cold, eyes of the images reflect the liveless script that was fashioned by Neil Gaiman and Roger Avery?
There are only two acceptable aspects of this terrible movie. The music is quite good at times and when Grendel speaks in Old English, that was very interesting to hear.
Please reconsider if you are planning to watch this movie. Spend your time better with reading the poem.