MovieChat Forums > The Northman (2022) Discussion > Movie review: Poor

Movie review: Poor

posted 3 years ago by triplea (3577)
18 replies | jump to latest

An uninteresting, mediocre and obviously unresearched fictional tale (given the plethora of inaccuracies & false assumptions) that cherry-picks common fallacies surrounding viking/norse mythology.

Aside from the script relying on multiple contrived plot points (never being checked on at night, saving the young son to get privileges, getting attacked by a small child to justify the obvious ending) - most disappointing however were the poorly choreographed fighting scenes and subpar acting on almost all accounts.

Although I have a high interest in norse mythology due to my extensive knowledge on the subject, I was left disappointed by yet another cookie-cutter adaptation designed to appeal to mainstream/casual audiences.

Casuals are bound to enjoy/defend this movie however which is one of the few positives.

[–] Rich_UK (26) 3 years ago

Must admit I found it a bit slow and boring, like an extended episode of Vikings, but not as good.

[–] FootOfDavros (8702) 3 years ago

... I have a high interest in norse mythology due to my extensive knowledge on the subject...

[–] Leodicaprio (6426) 3 years ago

yaaa unlikely lol. hes watched some YouTube videos and knows everything

[–] SweetTooth43 (2167) 3 years ago

Hahaha 🤣

[–] Seperatrix (1349) 3 years ago

I just saw it yesterday and to say that I was underwhelmed would be putting it mildly.

[–] Jehosaphet (1063) 3 years ago

I was heading to the theater this weekend to watch it when I saw it came out on digital...really glad I didn't spend the thirty bucks on tickets.
This was one I really wanted to like but yeah your sentiment sums up my experience pretty well. I had no inkling it was going to be such a mediocre slog...pretty disappointed here.

[–] letess (1815) 3 years ago

“Although I have a high interest in norse mythology due to my extensive knowledge on the subject,”

What does this mean? Was this your course of study at a university? Degrees? Apprenticeship? Curator? Journalist? Historian? Linguistics? Professor?

Define casuals. Is this a term that is universally acknowledged because I have never heard the term “casuals.” Contrary to what you are saying, the “casuals” or mainstream audiences do not like this move as they were expecting Gladiator. This movie is appealing mainly to critics and yet not all critics and those that appreciate something not so commercial. Also, this movie was heavily researched. One of the battle scenes took 28 takes. You do know that this was the tale - the story of Danish ruler, Amleth - that Hamlet was based on which is also fiction?

[–] triplea (3577) 3 years ago

Yes of course.

Some of the fights were good, but I saw people pausing and waiting for the choreographed move, which was disappointing.

[–] Leodicaprio (6426) 3 years ago

id willing to bet it means "he watched some YouTube videos" and read tops two books

[–] HarryShoulder (279) 3 years ago

He’s full of shit. He’s a troll turd.

Professor Neil Price, archaeologist at Uppsala University in Sweden who worked on the movie, later stated that "the Northman might be the most accurate Viking movie ever made."

I will agree with him on the fight scenes and actors pausing for Skarsgard to “strike” them tho.

[–] acidraindrop (3055) 3 years ago

This movie is extremely not mainstream/casual friendly.

[–] [deleted] 3 years ago

I liked it. It was clearly not meant to be completely faithful to the mythology, but it felt mythic anyway. It was very visual storytelling. The acting was fine. They were going for big performances, clearly, to go along with the bigger than life story. If you wanted the filmmakers to painstakingly recreate history, I guess it's not for you.

[–] triplea (3577) 3 years ago

I admire your honest review.

[–] Nate Adams SA23 (902) 3 years ago

I agree op, this was very poor. 5/10

[–] acidraindrop (3055) 3 years ago

You consider a 5 out of 10 movie "very poor"?

[–] Nate Adams SA23 (902) 3 years ago

Maybe I should say, just average. I may have expected too much from it.

[–] acidraindrop (3055) 3 years ago

Fair enough.
I always react to when ppl are like "movie was bad" and it's like a 6 out of 10 XD. I'm like that's still decent!!!!!

[–] chilone (18316) 3 years ago

I know! How can they make a documentary so un-factual!?!?