Fabulous cinematography and stirring soundtrack

Rating: 8/10 (31 August 1999)

The previews spoke of mystery, magic, and other-worldly settings; my interest was peaked. I picked up the book and flew through it. I couldn't wait for the movie. But I couldn't really see how some of the plot elements would be handled and Antonio Banderas playing an Arab diplomat turned warrior. I was rather astounded by the outcome. The 13th Warrior, while not destined for Best Picture, was stunning in it's imagery and sound. Both things drove me to feel the bravery and courage of the warriors set out to battle "the thing which cannot be named." The plot is a little confusing (having read the book first, I followed better than the others in the theater) but it mirrors the confusion felt by Ibn who is thrown into a world where he doesn't speak the language and doesn't know what he has been chosen to do. It's a great action movie with a hint of mystery and magic that's definitely meant to be seen in a theater to get the full effect of your surroundings. Try to catch an off hour showing as some of the dialogue is hard to catch with lots of other "people" noise surrounding you.