Product Description

BEOWULF (HD DVD) (DVD HD)

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #820 in DVD
• Brand: PARAMOUNT PICTURES
• Released on: 2008-02-26
• Rating: Unrated
• Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
• Formats: Anamorphic, Color, Dolby, Subtitled, Widescreen
• Original language: English, French, Spanish
• Subtitled in: English, French, Spanish
• Dubbed in: French, Spanish
• Number of discs: 2
• Dimensions: 1.00 pounds
• Running time: 114 minutes

Amazon.com
Spectacular animated action scenes turn the ancient epic poem Beowulf into a modern fantasy movie, while motion-capture technology transforms plump actor Ray Winstone (Sexy Beast) into a burly Nordic warrior. When a Danish kingdom is threatened by the monster Grendel (voiced and physicalized by Crispin Glover, River's Edge), Beowulf--lured by the promise of heroic glory--comes to rescue them. He succeeds, but falls prey to the seductive power of Grendel's mother, played by Angelina Jolie... and as Jolie's pneumatically animated form rises from an underground lagoon with demon-claw high heels, it becomes clear that we're leaving the original epic far, far behind. Regrettably, the motion-capture process has made only modest improvements since The Polar Express; while the characters' eyes no longer look so flat and zombie-like, their faces remain inexpressive and movements are still wooden. As a result, the most effective sequences feature wildly animated battles and the most vivid character is Grendel, whose grotesqueness ends up making him far more sympathetic than any of the mannequin-like human beings. The meant-to-be-titillating images of a naked Jolie resemble an inflatable doll more than a living, breathing woman (or succubus, as the case may be). But the fights--particularly Grendel's initial assault on the celebration hut--pop with lushly animated gore and violence. Also featuring the CGI-muffled talents of Anthony Hopkins (Silence of the Lambs), Robin Wright Penn (The Princess Bride), and John Malkovich (Dangerous Liaisons). --Bret Fetzer

On the HD DVD
The process of creating Beowulf was more interesting than the movie itself--though many of the movie's fans will be disappointed that the "making-of" featurette does not include Angelina Jolie in her skin tight motion-capture suit. We do, however, get to see Ray Winstone (who admits he has a less than heroic physique), live horses bedecked with plastic dots, a "Robo-Grendel," wire props painted fluorescent pink and orange, and a poor production assistant whose job is scooping up horse poop. Other featurettes discuss the monster design (including giving a sea monster a single eye because, apparently, cyclopean creatures have mythological street cred); how excited the filmmakers were to combine Winstone's gruff voice with a preposterously burly bod; and a brief bit discussing the original epic poem, how much director Robert Zemeckis hated it, and the various liberties the screenwriters took with it. But for anyone interested in computer animation, the most interesting extra feature may be the deleted scenes. Because they were cut long before the animation was finished, they show the process at a variety of different stages--at some points the faces don't even move, making Beowulf look like a Thunderbirds-style puppet movie. --Bret Fetzer

Customer Reviews

please note: this is a animated film.
Beowulf (Unrated Director's Cut)
I didn't know this would be an animated film, but it was a good one. As a matter of fact; if you do not have sharp eyes you may not notice the animation, it is that real. But just because it is animated, don't consider this one for the children, unsupervised.

To the victor go the spoils?
There has been much said of this version of the classic tale. While not entirely faithful, this version is flat-out, a lot of fun! The last all CGI film I saw was the first "Final Fantasy". By being CGI enhanced, "Beowulf" actually works. There were scenes that would not have worked without it. The performances were what you would expect of talent such as Anthony Hopkins, John Malkovich, Brendan Gleeson, Angelina Jolie and Crispin Glover. Crispin Glover? Yes! Lets just say that it's a toss-up as to whether he looks better as his characterization or in real life (but in either case, he's STILL creepy!)!

The only other peer this film might have is "The 13th Warrior", but in either case, entertainment value is high, in my humble opinion.
The DVD comes with an abundance of special features, which "flesh-out" all aspects of the film's production.
Let's just say that "Beowulf" isn't perfect, but it's close. A very good entertainment value.

The CGI will blow you away
Nice collection..couldn't find a Director's Cut in Singapore. glad that i bought it from amazon. Nice movie..stunning CGI that will make real actors obsolete if they go on making movie like this in future..I watch this DVD over and over on my HD TV..simply awesome visual feast...