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I don't know if you were ever in this situation in high school, but I remember groaning loudly as we had to flip through that huge English textbook to come to that next reading assignment, which was more than often a very, very long poem.  I know I read Beowulf, but it unfortunately didn't stick in my brain.  Thankfully, director Robert Zemeckis is here to remind all of us that we should've paid more attention in class. He thrusts you into a non-stop journey filled with stunning action sequences, astounding visuals, and relevant themes that make you feel guilty for passing notes to that crush that sat in front of you in school.

Returning to the digitally enhanced live-action technology used in his prior film, The Polar Express, Zemeckis utilizes every aspect of the frame to
bring this epic poem to life.  It tells the tale of the mighty warrior, Beowulf (Ray Winstone), who fights for a deplorable town to enhance his already larger-than-life legacy.  As he faces off against the unusual family of the grotesque Grendel (Crispin Glover) and his mother (Angelina Jolie), Beowulf struggles not only to save a town from impending doom, but with the overwhelming guilt that has overcome his life.

It's almost a little scary how life-like computer graphics look these days and this film is no exception.  Zemeckis uses this new technology in both
beautiful and shocking ways.  One moment you are captivated by the softness of the snow, and at the next, disgusted by the inhumanness of the creature Grendel and the other mythological creatures.  It took me a little while to get used to the film's look, but by mixing these different emotional
visuals, Zemeckis makes you forget that you are watching an "animated" film and slowly draws you into the most important aspect; the story.

The themes of Beowulf are what kept me going with this movie.  It took a little while because the front half of the film is mainly action and sophomoric humor, and although entertaining, I was beginning to wonder where this story was heading.  Then there is a turn and everything came into place as the film deeply explores the fallacy of men and their bouts with pride, temptation, and guilt.  These issues wouldn't have translated to the audience so well if it wasn't for the acting ability of Winstone, John Malkovich, Robin Wright Penn, and most notably, Anthony Hopkins.  I don't know what kind of acting method is involved with this type of film, but whatever it is, they all found the right note.

Animated movies must get a pass when it comes to the rating system, because this film pushes way past the limits of its PG-13 rating.  There is crass
sexual humor and nudity throughout the film, but parents need to be really aware of the very gory and disturbing violence, particularly with the creature Grendel.  Many younger viewers will be frightened, but I'm kind of excited for the teenagers who see this film because they may not look at another English textbook the same way again.  People may see Beowulf just as another blockbuster ride, which it is, but I hope they don't miss out on the
applicable themes and symbols that are weaved throughout.  I give it 4 out of 5 dismembered arms.

Review by Nathan Chandler for The Mungles on Movies 
(10/18/07)

Review copyright 2007 Mungleshow Productions. Used by Permission.