Fantastic.

Rating: 7/10 (5 January 2008)

I didn't get to see Beowulf in 3D and I still loved it.
I didn't go expecting much, but I knew I'd enjoy it on some levels. I love animated films and I love movie monsters. Can't go far wrong here.
I can see what's wrong with it. The characters lacked depth, as did the story. The movie had no meaning or flow. It was very much animation for the sake of animation and blood, gore and sex as much as the rating would allow. And it really is filled to the brim. But that's why it was good, it was exciting, because this isn't what you expect from a 12A... or an animated movie.
When I watched this film I was keeping an eye on a noisy group of boys who'd come to see it and amongst the giggles there was stunned silence. The sexuality isn't such that younger viewers will miss, it's blatant, crude and shocking.
Grendel was truly scary, there are 2 fantastic scenes where he simply butchers everyone in his path and it's one of the most visually exciting things I've seen in the cinema this year (after the maelstrom scene in Pirates 3). He's probably the character with the most depth in the film too, he's not only scary to look at... but he's emotionally terrifying, out of control and filled with sorrow. His screams will send shivers down your spine.
If you're impressed by computer animation and enjoy chaotic action/horror sequences, you'll love this. Might be a bit much for some timid kids, but I'd have LOVED this even more when I was younger.