A potent combination of historical speculation and gonzo violence

Rating: 7/10 (14 November 2014)

While there isn't too much depth to the plot or characters, CENTURION is a passable period action film about what might have happened to Rome's 9th Legion. The cast is led by Michael Fassbender as the titular centurion, Quintas Dias, and has Dominic West as a Roman general and Bond girl Olga Kurylenko as a mute Pict warrior. Overall, the performances are decent but nothing truly amazing. Some of the highlights of the film were creative opening titles, some beautiful, blue-tinged cinematography and a rousing score. However, the biggest draw are the action sequences and Neil Marshal really delivered in the blood-and-guts department. Limbs are hacked off, people are stabbed and shot with arrows, and blood flowed freely. The only downside to this aspect of the film was the way in which they were shot, i.e., similar to GLADIATOR and other movies like that. If one were to compare this movie to another one, I would pick KING ARTHUR because of the time period and subject matter. Even the plots are similar. But despite the similarities, I would think CENTURION edges out KING ARTHUR by a little bit because it isn't aspiring to be some epic origin story. This movie is fairly basic and knows it. There's even a half-baked romantic subplot, which isn't even introduced until the movie is half over. So, if you're looking for a decent action movie that won't tax your brain too much, this one should do just fine.