Vikings vs. cannibals? Bring it on!!

Rating: 7/10 (24 May 2005)

I honestly have trouble recalling another movie that has managed to polarise people (or at least my friends, all 3 of them,;) ) as much as the 13th Warrior. It just seems to be one of those films you either love or hate. I once held the latter opinion, when I first saw the film during its initial release. "What's going on?" "Yeah, right! As if Antonio could learn the Vikings language in one night, just from listening" were just a couple of reasons I left the cinema disappointed. Imagine my surprise, then, that upon subsequent viewings of the film I started to appreciate it more, and now it sits as a firm favourite of mine. How did this happen? I honestly think it was just lightening up and enjoying the McTiernan - crafted action, he does an excellent job and we all know his credentials as an action director. The characters, although one dimensional, are enjoyable. Hey, they're VIKINGS, not poets or artists, all they have to do is hit things with swords for me to be entertained. I'm not looking for an explanation of why they decided to take up a life of pillage, rape and plunder! The costumes and sets impressed me, they look like they were painstakingly researched and recreated.
In short, watch this film if you want good, dumb, mindless entertainment! If you want to pick holes in it you'll have a field day, but you've wasted time doing it. Take a word from the converted, lighten up and enjoy!!!