MovieChat Forums > Beowulf (2007) Discussion > Why dont people like this movie?

Why dont people like this movie?

posted 13 years ago by hitmant92
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I personally loved this film. i didn't think it was that great in terms of story and overall plot but it was cool to look at (especially if you saw it in IMAX) and Beowulf is such a great aggressive hero. For much of the same reasons as why people liked 300, is the reason I found Beowulf so entertaining. His constant shouting and epic tales of killing monsters was intense and fun. How great was his speech as he kills Grendel? Cant quote it exactly, but great finishing move with "I AM BEOWULF." and just chops his arm off. Perhaps its because I have never read the story but I think people should stop hating on this film so often!!! The story ends well and every thing has reasoning to it in the end, those who like the Viking style culture/ action in the Mead-hall will like this film

[–] thepyrethatburns 12 years ago

Because the meta-story was better than the actual story.

I liked the underlying themes quite a bit. One of the best parts of the movie for me was watching Beowulf see his legend spin out of control to the point that he was trapped by his own legend. Even in death, only Wiglaf and Wealthow knew him as a man instead of seeing him as some impossibly perfect warrior. Watching his shoulders hunch under the burden of carrying such a legend were the parts that I really enjoyed.

However, the parts on the surface were kinda ok but nothing that I would watch again. The scenes that weren't dealing with the underlying themes were just ok. Whenever we got into the fighting or the arguing or Angelina Jolie offering deals, it just didn't hold my interest enough. I didn't hate those scenes but they didn't make me want to see the movie more than once.

[–] dassarulle 12 years ago

In my eyes the CGI is too bad. It's like watching a game (not too good either) for computers.
Some of the females are absolutly nothing more than game figures.
If I wanted to see an animated movie I would. But the miss match in this one is just bad.

[–] Crown_vic_7 12 years ago

I found it to be very entertaining. Love the music score also. Better than some of the movies on IMDb top 250.

[–] SteveH2002 12 years ago

I gave it 5 out of 5 stars on NF, which is offering it up for stream. I don't think it's a perfect movie by any means, but I do believe it's a landmark animated movie. It held my interest, both visually and in terms of story, and it was able to do things a live action film can't.

I wasn't in love with the design of Grendel, but I thought his animation was well executed and Crispin Glover was an inspired choice to supply the voice. I was a little less impressed with John Malkovich as Unferth - not enough Iago in his voice or something.

The biggest fail was the animation of Wealthow, the Queen. She seemed incredibly flat and unconvincing. And even though the action scenes were usually quite well done there were a few times that it felt like the characters were not part of their environment, like they were actors in front of a blue screen, which shouldn't happen in an animated film.

I'm a fan of Robert Zemeckis, though, and I'm not the harshest critic of his movies.

[–] Blueghost 12 years ago

by hitmant92 (Thu Feb 2 2012 19:42:46)
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I personally loved this film. i didn't think it was that great in terms of story and overall plot but it was cool to look at (especially if you saw it in IMAX) and Beowulf is such a great aggressive hero. For much of the same reasons as why people liked 300, is the reason I found Beowulf so entertaining. His constant shouting and epic tales of killing monsters was intense and fun. How great was his speech as he kills Grendel? Cant quote it exactly, but great finishing move with "I AM BEOWULF." and just chops his arm off. Perhaps its because I have never read the story but I think people should stop hating on this film so often!!! The story ends well and every thing has reasoning to it in the end, those who like the Viking style culture/ action in the Mead-hall will like this film

It's a pretty spectacular film visually, but not much else.

[–] estocade 11 years ago

Am I the only one who was able to look through the eye-candy and follow the story of Beowulf? His transition from a boastful warrior to an old tired king, ultimately his glorious downfall. Obviously not, but it feels that way. To those who think this was a kids version of the story, then yes, sure, the kids will be thrilled with all the sfx on screen, I bet they won't even notice the myriad of dirty scenes and jokes, while beneath all that thick layer of good old fun one of the saddest stories is being unfolded.

[–] harryster 11 years ago

You aren't the only one. The transition and the humanness of the invincible hero was very well shown. It's also inspiring as you can see that he is just like any of us. One is great through many things, courage being one of them!

[–] vicky_lc2001 (1907) 8 years ago

I saw those things as well, in the end, this is a rather tragic film. I love it too btw.

[–] helderuto 11 years ago

because they think animation is not for adults

[–] eddonnell 11 years ago

For me it is because it is so far from the old saga that I just avoid re watching this not to well presented, "animated"? version. why not call it Beowulf, the saga re-told". and visuals are not an adequate compensation for plot substance, those films I rarely re-watch.

[–] rl_holzman 11 years ago

The CGI really makes this film a show piece on a nice hi-res TV, and I have put it in several times just for some pure eye-candy. I had re-watched it the other night and really enjoyed it. My wife's view is the typical superhero movies today are more positive for children (heroes less morally uncertain) while movies promoted as "animated" women don't expect to take their kids in for some over-the-top violence, or sex references....

Myself, the film captures I think something brooding about Norse myths, while not being perhaps as accurate to the story. I was not bothered by the excessive sex/violence, and I think I enjoy dark-heavy themes in general. There is real dramatic tension in the monster Grendal, as something to pity because he's really afraid too, and then the pure shock value in the Meadhall scenes to offset that. I can only compare it to maybe to another favorite of mine in shock gore, Carpenter's The Thing - which also was a flop commercially back in the 80s - because of the special-effect/gore excess.

The Christian dialogue references I think not relevant, it really doesn't play much into the movie (no matter how out of place) who cares,... however Beowulf doesn't play out morally how Americans typically view the world (white hats/black hats) and I to that extent it doesn't reflect the values of this religion. Again, who cares I loved it, great movie!