Enjoyable Movie

Rating: 10/10 (7 March 2000)

This was truly an enjoyable movie. I have read the book 'Eaters of the Dead' and although Crichton is and alway will be a brilliant writer, I think that this was one of his earlier work and it lacks the 'spirit' that his later novels had. However, with what they had to translate, from the book to the movie, I think they did a brilliant job - more so than his other 'block buster' move from book such as Jurassic Park and Lost world - which in my opnion was pretty FAR from what his novels was about. Lacking the big name actors, super special effects that most movies nowaday uses to pull in crowd and real corny pathetic punch lines that would have landed you in jail if you really did that in real life - this movie was able to stick to what needs to be done, do it and move on. The other thing that I found refreshing was the understanding by the director/producer that a 'movie' is only a SNAP shot into a time-line. Understandably, there will be reference to some deed done in the past that in my opnion, if it wasn't tooo complicated, you should not need to explain it (ie, the comment about the king's son killing his brother). It gives the movie a much more realistic on-going of the world instead of pausing here and there for explanation that really would not have been realistic. The fighting was fantastic, realistic without trying to glorify something that is morbid and messy. Vikings fight with brute force, there's no snappy flashy Kung-fu sword moves. The difference in youthful brute strength and experience old timer was clearly seen when the blondish Viking challenge and killed off the red-head giant. The style of viking fight was further shown in the close combat first fight with the 'Eaters of the death'. In the situation where the 'demons' were trying to win by piling and piling in with bodies, I fail to see how a 'wide angle' shot of the fight scene could have been preferred to a 'feel' of close-up, body, fur and steel. Without saying more, this is a brilliant movie for those who still enjoy a movie without the special effect and big names actors. I have to say that Vladimir, the leader of the viking, was BRILLIANT! - I have NEVER ever seen anyone that commanded such a big screen presence as he did and potray such a regal presence. And the armors with all the nordic crosses and symbols. *drool* Rating : 10 out of 10