Beowulf

Amazing effects and an all-star cast mixed with a classic story makes Beowulf a winner.

King Hrothgar (Anthony Hopkins) lives the high life, with a beautiful wife, loyal soldiers, treasure and the finest mead around. That is until a celebration provokes the monster Grendel (Crispin Glover), to come out of hiding and massacre many of Hrothgar's men. A reward for half the Kingdom's gold is set to any hero who dares kill the monster. Beowulf (Ray Winestone), strong, confident and fearless, travels from Geats to save Hrothgar and his people. He boasts of the monsters he has killed before and of the terrifying trials he has faced and he instantly wins everyone over. After stripping down to the nude, so that he can fight the monster as an equal, he tells his men to sing and cheer to once more provoke Grendel out of hiding.

Grendel arrives furious and mad from the noise, still ringing in his deformed ears. He bites one man's head off, and throws a few more around the hall before Beowulf jumps on him and manages to tie a chain to his arm before ripping it off. Hrothgar then nails Grendel's arm to the wall as a trophy and once more the people celebrate.

However, overnight Beowulf has a strange dream and awakes to a horrifying sight. Informed that the monster's mother must be seeking revenge, Beowulf, alongside his right hand man, Wiglaf (Brendan Gleeson), head toward the cave where she lives. Grendel's mother turns out to be amazingly beautiful, and also cunningly tricky. She seduces Beowulf with promises of wealth, women and being the greatest King that ever was, in exchange for giving her a son. Beowulf willingly accepts her offer and returns to the Kingdom with a false story of how he killed the monster's mother. That night, after a series of strange events, he is made King. Beowulf's story jumps to when he is an old man and a beloved King, and must once more face the monster of his past alongside a dragon and the decision he made so long ago, that he now regrets.

I loved this movie. The visual effects were incredible. At times you would almost think what you were looking at was real. I also liked how the characters looked like the actual actors doing the voices, all but Grendel the monster and Beowulf. I knew the story going into the film, and I think that they did a very good job keeping it as close to the story as they could while at the same time refreshing it a little. There was tons of action packed on top of the great story and excellent effects, making this movie one that you couldn't take your eyes away from. I recommend this movie to anyone who likes a fantasy movie with loads of action and astounding effects.

Final Words: Saw it. Loved it. I AM BEOWULF!