Manage Your Expectations

Rating: Null/10 (2 March 2002)

After reading negative comments about this film, I came to realize that many people watched it with incorrect expectations... So, let's define what "13th Warrior" IS and, more importantly, what it ISN'T. It isn't an overpriced and meaningless bunch of special effects, it isn't a realistic or historical movie, it has nothing to do with praising Islam. It is not a superficial thriller, either. And it runs for 100 minutes, not 3 hours.
This movie is a tale of friendship and war, honesty and courage. A group of 13 warriors comes to save a kingdom. Although this is certainly a familiar plot (remember "The Magnificient Seven" and "Seven Samurai"?), the film managed to keep me on the edge of the seat. The story is shown through the eyes of a complete stranger, who is incidentally and unwillingly thrown into the center of events.
The acting is very solid; I especially enjoyed Vladimir Kulich's dark confidence and Dennis Storhoi's sarcasm.
This movie is different from the usual Hollywood "Action/Adventure" flicks. If you liked "Ivanhoe" and "White Company" when you were young, you are going to like this one as well.