Impressive in 3D, but why not use live action film?

Rating: 7/10 (28 November 2007)

Beowulf has the distinction, at least in my memory, of being the sole Hollywood release that has been filmed entirely in 3D. Unfortunately it is also filmed in a form of animation that seems to exist between both the live action and animated elements of film making. Given the advancement of visual effects, why the film wouldn't take part in a live action element seems to be contradictory- live action film would undoubtedly require more sets and such, but the fact that the film is in 3D disputes the entire idea that the film making was lazy.
In fairness, the film "Beowulf" pretty accurately follows the myth of Beowulf. To clarify, a Danish kingdom is cursed by a sinister creature named "Grendel." The King of the Kingdom (Anthony Hopkins) is obviously the father of "Grendel," and the mother of Grendel is a "water demon." After a vicious attack on the new Hall, the building is securely locked up until Beowulf and his men come as heroes to slay the beast. Beowulf kills Grendel by ripping his arm off, which sends Grendel's mother into a rage. The morning after his success, Beowulf awakes in the hall to find that all but one of his men have been dispatched (presumably by Grendel's mother) and hung up in the ceiling.
After this outrage, Beowulf travels to a nearby cave to slay Grendel's mother. Of course this doesn't happen- Grendel's mother seduces Beowulf into giving her another son, and in turn she has given him long lasting strength, a kingdom (he inherits it after Anthony Hopkins throws himself off a cliff), a Queen who he has longed after since arriving, and so on. The one limitation is that his good fortune will only last as long as a golden horn remains in the cave.
Fast forward many years, with a much older Beowulf, who has a dilemma when the slave of a Priest finds the golden horn and brings it out to the kingdom. With the golden horn brought out, Beowulf's son (a dragon) arrives to unleash another hell onto the Kingdom.
In the spirit of a happy ending, the dragon is slain, however in the spirit of a disjointed conclusion, Grendel/Dragon's mother arrives on the scene to try and seduce the new King of the Kingdom. This is where the film ends.
The IMAX 3D is the only way to see this film, and it is definitely worth watching for this angle. However I don't recommend it in a regular theater- my rating with go from 7/10 to 5/10.