Outlander

Plot synopsis:
A spacecraft crashes in a lake in Vendel-era Scandinavia. The only surviving occupant – a human – retrieves a distress beacon and a computer which explains that he is on Earth, a "seed" colony that his people have abandoned. The computer downloads the local Norse language and culture directly into his brain. The spaceman soon finds a freshly destroyed village, where he is captured by Wulfric, a warrior from another village.
Wulfric takes him to the fortified village of King Rothgar, father of Freya, who he hopes will marry future king Wulfric. Rothgar is concerned that Gunnar, chieftain of the destroyed village, will assume it was Wulfric's doing, as Wulfric's father (the king before Rothgar) had been killed by Gunnar. Wulfric interrogates the "outlander", who identifies himself as Kainan, claiming he is from the north, and states that he is hunting a dragon.
The village is attacked that night by an unseen creature, which kills several men. Kainan tells them it is a "Moorwen", a predatory creature which caused his (space)ship to crash and now will hunt men and animals alike. When Kainan is taken with a hunting party to find the Moorwen, he kills a gigantic bear that had killed some of the hunters. The warriors now treat Kainan as part of their tribe.
Gunnar and his men attack the settlement, retreating after casualties on both sides. They soon return, pursued by the Moorwen, and enter the safety of the village. Kainan devises a plan to build a huge pit just inside the village entrance, fill it with whale oil and leave wooden shields floating on the surface.
Freya becomes increasingly attracted to Kainan. He explains to her the Moorwen's origin—Kainan's people invaded its land (planet), slaughtered it in the billions and built a colony there. This Moorwen, now the last of its kind, massacred everyone in the colony, including Kainan's wife and child. When his "ship" returned to the colony, the Moorwen snuck onboard and later caused the crash. After listening to Kainan's tale, Freya gives him a family sword, saying she was told that she would know what man to give it to.
Kainan and Wulfric lure the Moorwen to the village. They cross the oil pit by running on the shields, but the Moorwen falls into the pit, and the oil is set on fire. The Moorwen bursts out, kills several people, then escapes. Meanwhile, an offspring of the Moorwen sneaks into the hall where the women and children are hiding. Eric, the orphaned boy that Kainan has begun looking after, alerts Rothgar, who is killed as the women and children escape.
Kainan realizes that they need stronger weapons to kill the Moorwen. Kainan, (new) King Wulfric and Freya return to the lake to retrieve fragments of metal from Kainan's submerged ship. While Kainan is underwater, the young Moorwen attacks the boat, taking Freya. Kainan and Wulfric return to the village, where the fragments are soon forged into weapons before descending into the Moorwens' lair.
Freya awakens on a pile of bodies in the underground lair. As the young Moorwen moves toward Freya, it is distracted by the sound of Kainan's hunting party. Many of the hunters are killed, but the young Moorwen is blinded by Boromir. When it returns to attack Freya, Kainan and Wulfric pass one of the new swords, with which she slays the young Moorwen.
The cave exits to a high waterfall, where the adult Moorwen attacks. It seriously wounds Wulfric before Kainan engages it in battle. When Freya joins in, Kainan is able to knock the Moorwen over the cliff's edge to its death. Freya and Kainan return to Wulfric's side, where he passes the kingship to Kainan just before he dies.
Kainan tells Freya to wait for the rest of the warriors, while he heads back to the lake. Night falls as Kainan retrieves some items from his ship, says goodbye to his wife's submerged coffin, then destroys his distress beacon just as Freya sees a rescue spaceship approaching, leading her to believe that Kainan was sent by the gods. The rescue ship departs without Kainan, who stays as king, weds Freya and they adopt Eric.

Tags: action, fantasy, flashback

Review:
I thought the film was great, really cool genre pic that comes across as a nice mixture of Predator/Braveheart/Beowulf, all the while managing to feel quite original on its own.
Nice cast, Nice Script, and everything is handled a hell of a lot more intelligently than what you'd expect from a movie which is essentially 'Giant Alien Vs Vikings'.
I stumbled upon this move by accident, but being a sci-fi and fantasy nerd, I watched it, despite the fact that sci-fi movies nowadays tend to be rather poor.The story begins with Kainan (James Caviezel) crash landing his spaceship into a lake, in the middle of Viking-land, in 709 AD.
Although the story is a little shallow, lacking in huge plot-twists and deep character development, but it is enough to keep the attention between the awesomely gory fight scenes.The acting is good enough, with the Christian Bale look-alike Caviezel, and the great but short performance of Ron Perlman, it manages to be captivating.
We see far more swordplay than pulse rifle shoot-outs, so the sci-fi part of the film is largely suppressed to make way for the epic battle between the vikings and the moorvens, but that's just how it must be in this movie.
The fight scenes are nicely choreographed and acted, the special effects are more than awesome, and the whole is movie is just great.I'd like to point out, that the Moorven is most astonishing space monster I've ever seen.
So if you happen to like action movies and don't ask for too much depth in the story, this will provide you with a 120 minutes amusement worth the time..
It is MUCH more value for ticket money than a number of other recent offerings and its faults are minor compared to the good qualities.The story is basically a sci-fi plot but since the lead character's space ship crashes in the Iron Age, among Vikings, you can understand that most of the movie takes place with Viking themes and scenery.The basic plot is quite sound and for the first 40 minutes the movie is VERY gripping.
However this film ended up exceeding those expectations, with a pretty good plot, a cast which was decent enough (with a few minor blips that I'm willing to overlook) and action sequences that are quite creative and thrilling to watch.
and if you don't think that sounds awesome, well then you're missing out.What lifts this though is a great cast, tight filming, good production, and, above all, some heart and soul that's been missing.Honestly this is straight-out entertainment - the Alien is seriously bad, and the Nordic stuff is just how you'd want it to be.
This release dumped unceremoniously into theaters in the early year scrap heap is certainly a movie that is fully aware of its preposterous nature and approaches it with a straight face, a talented cast and premier production values that all work oddly well to produce an entertaining if far from perfect Sci-fi cult classic.Originally slated for a normal wide release, a series of setbacks plagued production to an extent where it was deemed no longer feasible for such distribution.
Well, thanks to the original and best laid plans producers threw a whopping $50 million into the film which provides us with some damn good effects for a film you would all but assume to be a low budget, straight to DVD release.The plot is as tantalizing as they come; an alien, Kainan played by James Caviezel crash lands in ancient Nordish territory in the age of the Vikings.
The 'modern' story is framed by an interesting if slightly preachy back-story of past betrayal and genocide throughout the history of Kainnan's homeland.After all this financial mumbo-jumbo is put to the side, what we are left with is a deliciously acted, well made period/sci-fi/creature feature/action film that only works at all due to all originality and the bizarreness of the plot.
The story is of an Outlander from a different planet who ends up in a ship crash on NORSE territory-planet earth!But the ship has brought along an alien trouble-a species called Moorven/Moorwen.Kainan(James Caviezel) is treated as an Outlander,he has to prove his worth and also tell the vikings of the alien trouble he has bought along.And henceforth the plot flows.
I like action movies, I like Lore movies, like Lord of the Rings, I like Sci-fi movies, but this is like getting ALL those genres wrapped into one, and it's NOT hokey or fake-comical, it's all very believable and wonderfully acted by James Caviziel, and Sonia Myles, with John Hurt, and the guy who played Hell Boy...wow, it has sword fighting in it, great sets...I just really enjoyed this movie from the very beginning to the very end!
There is no single bad moment in all the film.Great work in photography and editing make of this film a visual accomplishment.James Caviezel, John Hurt and Ron Perlman performances are excellent.All FX are achieved, and the score by Geoff Zanelli is one to remember.Maybe is something that we all have seen before, but never with this kind of achievement.For all sci-fi / fantasy fans, this one is a MUST!.
Its got so much gore and alien homeworlds and broadswords, and yet im sure if you took your wife/girlfriend or religious father to see it they would nod and smile at the end and say 'i didn't think id enjoy that''but it was quite good actually'I haven't felt so excited watching a film in years!
My heart went out to John Hurt, James Cavaziel, Sophie Myles and Jack Houston all excellent actors who with better direction could have shot this film into the depths of space rather than 'just' orbit.All in all a very good effort.Moorwen!End transmission.TB.
I was expecting to waste my time when I decided to see this movie, but I was wrong, this movie is amazing all crew did an work here with amazing special effects, acting and plot.Outlander is a great surprise by director Howard McCain - honestly never heard of him before, but I'll be keeping an eye on his work from now on!this film ended up exceeding my expectations.why isn't it playing in the theater?In my opinion big producers need to check this work before paying lots for junk movies as 10000 BC and others.I'm sure all will enjoy this movie as I'm.If you are Brazilian, don't worry about this movie, take it and check out, this is an amazing movie..
I had heard nothing about this movie and I have no idea why.Who would have thought a movie having a plot of a man from another world crash landing on earth hunting a dragon with Vikings would turn out to be so good.This movie left me wanting more I really hope they make a prequel id like to see more of where the outlander came from Good special effects good story and good actingand the way it put together made for a really entertaining moviethe only problem i had with it was the predictable ending other then that this was a surprise smash hit for me best movie i have seen for quite some time ....
While the story falls a little too often into genre clichés, the characters are interesting and there are enough plot twists and new additions to warrant this movie a star or two for small innovations.
Although it resembles in form some of the more well-known alien menaces from the last 20 years, it's phosphorescent skin and blood are a very cool innovation and are also visually exciting.Bottom line is if you are interested in a film whose subject matter is Vikings fighting an alien monster with lots of action and some small sparks of innovation, then you will not be disappointed..
This is definitely the greatest science – fiction surprise of 2008 , little advertised, having been made on less than a modest budget, but still having all that a good movie of this genre requires , namely : visuals ( Fantasy II ) ,acting ( J.
This is a very well done movie, action-packed, nice drama and the best part: Its not senseless.Simple like this: Kainan is a traveler from another world/galaxy/universe, who used to be a member of a greedy and conqueror kind (very similar to the humans), whose starship crash into our world, in the Vikings Age, bringing with him a violent and uncontrollable creature (a "Godzilla" looked Dragon) named Moorwen, thats searching revenge against the exterminator of his breed.
Afther Kainan is accepted by a Viking community that is being attacked by the Moorwen, he decide to help them kill that beast by the old way (no guns).Probably the special effects seems to be very old, like ten years ago, but the action is not affected for it.
had action, a little love story and it was just an overall good movie.
With good graphics and story,it has got every thing to be an excellent movie.Not only love but it also has got some sentiment.I don't know why it did not get the attention it deserved.If there were good stars as cast,it would have been a huge success.But,the present cast has done well.Any ways,an overall good work done.
Outlander is one of the best sci-fi films of all time in my opinion, with some things similar to other films, but ending with an original story that is sure to deliver the goods.
The film is well directed and with very good special effects(only didn't like one), the plot is very nice, yes it has aliens and space ships, but please, if you don't like this kind, why do you even bother to see it, damn sad people that doesn't have nothing to do.
You know, like a cheesy Predator VS Vikings type deal.James Caviezel, Sophia Myles, Jack Huston, John Hurt and especially Ron Pearlman all did a great job with their roles in this movie.
In this movie you have Aliens, Vikings, Spaceships the only thing missing was some Ninjas though Kainan (James Caviezel) does have some mad skillz.
OK, so maybe the 9 out of 10 i gave this might be a little too high, its definitely a 7, at least, so i gave it 2 points for effort.firstly this is a film for geeks and fanboys, i am whole heartedly one, anyone looking for lord of the rings fantasy should look elsewhere, anyone looking for a fun, well made, well acted sci-fi/fantasy, go no further.jim caviezel is perfect as the not over the top hero, he plays the part very humbly, and well.
(awesome) the creature is an original design, not borrowing heavily from alien or predator, although it did remind me of the creature from the relic, even still it looked amazing, and it left me wanting to find out more about its race.FX were great all round, at no point did the CG fail to make me believe in the creature.all in all, a totally enjoyable film!!
sci-fi and fantasy mixed to almost perfection, we can only hope this flick gets a wider theatrical release so that we may get a sequel(but it mite head down a planet of the apes path, which may not be a bad thing) or possibly a prequel (id love to find out the details of why our hero's ship crashes at the start) watch it anyway you can!!!.
I will admit that it needed more back story for the characters, that would have made this film a 9, but the acting as well as the awesome visual effects (dragon) still made this one a pleasant surprise!Too many medieval movies today are disappointing due to either a low budget, bad acting, or plot holes..
and I'm surprised when I come across one that keeps me engaged from beginning to end, so I gave this film an 8 - And any Fantasy/Sci-Fi fans out there owe it to themselves to watch "Outlander"!.
Apart from the well-done action scenes and special effects, Outlander has a solid script, a strong visual look (misty forests, caves, waterfalls etc) and four or five good actors.
How do you have a budget of 50 mil, and decent special effects, pretty good acting...a uniquely new twist on the chosen one story, and somehow the movie only makes a few hundred thousand on 81 screens?!?
Outlander is a movie about vikings against aliens.Yes, you read it well...vikings against aliens.I do not remember having ever seen something like that.And besides of that originality, Outlander is interesting, very entertaining and even deep.The story from Outlander has some forced and predictable elements, but despite that, it is very well structured and developed by co-screenwriters Howard McCain (who was also the director) and Dick Blackman.The characters are archetypal heroic figures in the line of traditional Nordic epics; in fact, the screenplay has various parallels with Beowulf (the poem, not the mediocre animated film).The actors show a lot of energy and enthusiasm with their characters: Jim Caviezel is very well as the main character, because he feels simultaneously precise and credible; and John Hurt and Sophia Myles also show conviction on their characters.The battle scenes are genuinely exciting; and if we combine that with McCain's solid direction, the competent performances, the interesting characters and the dynamic screenplay, we have a very entertaining experience as a final result.On the beginning from this review, I mentioned that Outlander is a deep movie; it may not be a philosophical premise, but it deserves credit for offering concepts which go beyond the requirements from the story.As examples, I can mention the concise but adequate explanation about the main character's human appearance; or the revelation about the monster's motivation, which adds an interesting narrative level to the movie.In summary, I can recommend Outlander as a very entertaining film, which is much more satisfactory and exciting than many Hollywood blockbusters..
Jim Caviezel (THE PASSION OF THE Christ) is a strong silent type as the alien hero, John Hurt performs well as a 'crinkly old elder', Ron Perlman is unrecognisable as a frightening warrior-chief, Jack Huston is charming as a youthful leader, and Sophia Myles is lovely as, well, the love interest.Altogether I found the film enjoyable if not profound, and if it pales in comparison to the classic monster movies of yesterday, it feels a lot better & more interesting than much similar fare (such as THE RELIC)..
Whichever way you cut it, the concept is far more interesting than the end product; a derivative adventure of epic mediocrity boasting three-star effects, two-star execution and a one-star script.In a riot of straight-faced silliness, it pitches erstwhile Jesus Jim Caviezel as another saviour - this time as a chap from another planet who falls to Earth in 709AD to unite two warring Norse tribes against a bloodthirsty alien beastie.On one side we have John Hurt at his craggiest as wise King Rothgar (not bearing any similarity to King Hrothgar of Beowulf at all, oh no); on the other we have Ron Perlman's bad-tempered, beardy baldie Gunnar.
A mindlessly fun low budget B movie about Vikings fighting an alien creature in a similar setting to Beowulf.
Outlander is an alright sci-fi action adventure movie although it's far from great or even that memorable.
Unfortunately however, that is where the superlatives must end.Aside from some isolated moments of authenticity from Myles and Hurt, the acting is comprehensively wooden, the script infinitely shallow and the plot riddled with enough cringe-worthy clichés to warrant clenched teeth and wrinkled nose on more than one occasion.Even so, this film might have escaped with a less scathing review if it wasn't for the sub-standard quality of the action and lack of overall pace.Whether due to the expense of special effects involved or simply poor workmanship, most of the action scenes are poorly shot - often in dim or obscured surrounds not to mention bland camera work - and the approach is far more identifiable with that of a drama than what you might expect from an action genre film.Equally, the sci-fi element is almost non-existent in that it is used to introduce us to the setting, but quickly sinks into obscurity along with the rest of the plot.If anything, this is more a generic love-triangle story in a picturesque setting than a high paced adrenaline-laden romp through the ages.When all is said and done there are still some fleeting moments of excitement amongst the predictability and clichés, but if you're expecting a roller-coaster ride you may want to replace your seat-belt with an uncomfortable pillow to avoid disappointment..
I like the way the actual creature design works with the darkness to give you a kind of impression of what the creature looks like without fully revealing it until near the end, thats how monster movies used to be done, now everyone just wants to show off the special effect right away to sow how realistic the creature can be, whatever happened to building a little suspense.Okay so it's not going to win any awards or anything but if your in the mood for an action romp you could do far worse than catch this fun albeit just a tad over-long (I'd say they could have shaved off about fifteen mins) adventure..
James Caviezel is an excellent lead, and a supporting cast that includes Sophia Myles, John Hurt and Ron Perlman promises much and the film delivered as much also.
This movie was pretty good, not as great as I'd hoped, but definately worth watching.
Being set among the Vikings in AD 709 it is probably unique, but it's well written and the plot holds together well.The acting is believable throughout – particular praise is due to the leads – James Caviezel, John Hurt, Jack Huston, Sophia Myles and Ron Perlman.The effects are spectacular and the Moorwen genuinely scary.
I've seen this film 50 times before, with different names but the same old story.The actors persevered with a script which was, at best, average - poor John Hurt.