Beowulf (2007) Reviews

Overall

3.38 of 5 (by 45 users)

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Beowulf (2007) Review Summary

Beowulf "takes CGI to a whole new level." While animated movies were once confined to Disney tales, they've since gone the way of Shrek and Bee Movie. The animation here is brought to the classic story of Beowulf, yet some reviewers feel there wasn't much story, and" just a lot of animated violence," with "grossly simplistic" characters. Other Viewpoints moviegoers were completely "spellbound" forgetting it was partially animated as they got into the performanes of the live actors, Anthony Hopkins, Angelina Jolie and John Malkovich. The ratings system is questioned in Beowulf as well, with many thinking it deserved an R instead of PG-13 because of the violence, animated or not.

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Beowulf (2007) Comparison

Most Helpful
Favorable Review

Ripper, Tearer, Slasher...Beowulf takes CGI to a whole new level

NOV

2007

Computer graphic images have sure come a long way. Does anyone remember that 2001 film Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within that pioneered the slew of CGI movies? Before the trio of Shreks, A Bug's Life, and The Bee Movie, movies did not venture much further into animation than the classic Disney… read full review »

into movies that tell a great story, action fan

TracyAlana
Honolulu, HI

Most Helpful
Critical Review

Beowulf Animated Suspense in a Movie

NOV

2007

Plot Details: This opinion reveals everything about the movie''s plot. Since before the 10th century people have been mesmerized by the Old English tale of Beowulf. It has survived the destruction of religious manuscripts during the Henry the VII dissolution of monasteries and at least one… read full review »

into movies that tell a great story, married

pkmom
Strawberry Plains, TN

Beowulf (2007) Ratings and Reviews

items/page: 15 | 30 | 50 displaying 1 to 13 of 45 sort by: most helpful | date | rating

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Must See in 3D at the Imax! but keep the kids at home

a movie lover, second in line on opening weekend, excited by new technology, an Angelina Jolie fan, not into blood and gore

DEC

2007

A few months ago my husband was at a Media conference and learned that Beowulf would soon be released using a new amazing technology known as "a hybrid of animation and live action". The actors didn't just do voices, they actually went as far as wearing suits that could sense their every move. So was it worth all the hype? I say YES! — The Story — I had read a Beowulf book in grade school, but couldn't remember what it was about. Near the start I remembered as Beowulf jumped into one of his exaggerated tales of heroism. That is who Beowulf is, a hero,… read full review »

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vivasuzi
Livonia, MI

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Would you like some violence with your violence?

a bargain hunter, a busy person, Sci Fi Nerd, love to travel, Every day computer user, into movies that tell a great story, married, not rich

NOV

2007

There was very little story here - just a lot of animated violence. The characters were grossly simplistic. The animation was good, but not breath-takingly so. Yes, Angelina Jolie was naked, but so was everyone else. The lengths the film-makers took to prevent us from seeing Beowulf's genitals crossed into ludicrosity at some point - would the sight of a flaccid penis (after seeing someone ripped in half and another character's head bitten off and slowly chewed) made this into an R-rated movie? Is the MPAA really THAT concerned about sex over violence?… read full review »

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gituck
Newburgh, IN

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I felt as if I was in the movie myself

DVD collector, Every day computer user, into action flicks, movie buff, character-lover, into movies that tell a great story, a fan of clever plots, a pet owner

DEC

2007

The 3 D effects were amazing. The storyline was okay. I expected to see more of Angelina Jolie's character, but her role was actually quite small. If I hadn't seen the movie in 3D, I probably wouldn't have liked it. — The action scenes - with the fights - were really good. During those scenes I perked up, but all in all, it wasn't as good as the movie trailer makes it out to be. The final scenes are probably the best in the movie, so if you decide to pay and go for the movie two pieces of advice - One, pay the extra two dollars and fifty cents to see it in 3D(it's not worth it… read full review »

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chirorengo
Fullerton, CA

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I am Beowulf!

television buff, comedy fan, health conscious, Lover of quirky, unique films, a music lover, action fan, Every day computer user, Movie guru

NOV

2007

Beowulf, with its stunning visual effects, is a must see in IMAX 3D. The movie loosely follows the classic story of the legendary hero Beowulf and his battle with the beast Grendel. Set in the 6th century, the tale of Beowulf entwines Danish merriment, lust, greed, royalty, honor, sword fights, near nudity and fantasy. The messages tug at your head and heart, while the battle scenes, mythical landscapes and demons will guarantee to offer virtual visual stimulation. — Stars Ray Winstone, Anthony Hopkins, Angelina Jolie, John Malkovich and Brendan Gleeson. —… read full review »

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Classic-Athena
New York, NY

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vote

Save Your Money and Time!!!!

into movies that tell a great story, character-lover, Every day computer user, a frequent film-goer, television buff, DVD collector

DEC

2007

My fiancee had been wanting to see this film, and when I heard that it was in 3D, I thought, "Cool, it can't be that bad." Boy was I WRONG!!!! This movie was absolutely terrible! Gory and graphic, and a BIG SNORER! I rarely get up during the movie and go out for anything. This one had me out for Popcorn, soda and candy all on 3 different occasions!!!! Stay home on this one! Or go see Enchanted instead :) —… read full review »

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VTree26
Bronx, NY

Could have been rated R

character-lover, a fan of clever plots, married, not rich

DEC

2007

My husband and I went a couple weeks ago to see this movie. — My first impression, the graphics are AMAZING - you forget that you are watching animated characters. — It was extremely violent, however. My husband and I don't watch rated R films, but we honestly felt this could have qualified as one. I wonder if the PG 13 rating was justified by the fact that it was "simulated gore" - not using live-action people. If that's the case, it makes no sense to me, since the gore on live-action films isn't real either. And considering that this film was so… read full review »

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mhew
Clifton, NJ

It gets your attention, but do you care?

into movies that tell a great story, Lover of quirky, unique films, a fan of clever plots, Sci-Fi fan, character-lover

NOV

2007

While I'm not familiar with the literary work of Beowulf, I'm pretty sure this film wouldn't hold a candle to it. Eye-popping animation was generally very good, with eye-popping imagery and a very realistic hero. However, the plot didn't allow for the audience to care about Beowulf, and that's what makes a movie great. — — The realism of the landscapes and the beautiful detailing in the armor contrasted with the lack of emotion in the eyes of the leading characters. My familiarity with horses also didn't allow me to believe in the very poorly gaited steeds they animated for the… read full review »

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ruthmim
Cedar Rapids, IA

Best ever! translation of an Epic Saga to the big screen!

character-lover, Lover of quirky, unique films, Every day computer user, Sci-Fi fan, a pet owner, into action flicks

DEC

2007

This movie is based on the 11th Century Epic Poem Beowulf. Many people have said it is not a good movie because of the characters, the plot, the violence, etc. Okay, well, let's think about when it was originally written. The storyline is supposed to be entertaining to -- dare I say it -- barbarians. Storytellers were often overly dramatic in trying to astonish and shock their audiences, and keep their interest. People had really hard lives and had little or no entertainment, and because of that, I believe people's senses of humor… read full review »

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DRentschler
Meridian, ID

Awesome. New standard for CGI Animation!

movie buff, married, love to travel, a frequent film-goer, television buff, DVD collector, comedy fan, a woman

DEC

2007

Okay, let's get this out of the way: —… read full review »

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divinerebel
Seattle, WA

Very cool graphics! Flying dragon sequence at end is amazing!

a movie buff

MAY

2008

This is a very cool movie! Some parts are a bit risque but it's interesting because the characters are half human/half computerized. I loved Angelina Jolie's sexy part in this and you can never go wrong with John Malkovich either! Not sure why Robin Wright Penn's computerized character looks SO unnattractive though. I had to read this story in high school...so it was nice to finally find out exactly what the book was trying to say! ;) Make sure you stick around for the final 20 minutes of the movie...the flying dragon sequences were really mind-blowing and… read full review »

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Tigerh08
Oklahoma City, OK

Runaway Poetic License

Lover of quirky, unique films, a fan of clever plots, Every day computer user, DVD collector, not rich, love to travel, movie buff, college student

DEC

2007

Being an English major and knowing the storyline of Beowulf pretty well I was apalled with the outrageous poetic license the film took. I know you are suppose to enjoy film as film and literature as literature, but they may as well have called the movie "Mark". Mark could have been the hero and then expectations would not have had a certain leanings. For example in the great epic Christianity is extolled as the true connection to God and a saving force. As typical of Hollywood Christianity is defined as a religion that is stifling and destroying everything in its… read full review »

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arwen333
Denver, CO

Save your time AND your money!

a woman, a movie buff, married, DVD collector, into action flicks

FEB

2008

I hated this movie! I only went because I drove a school bus full of high school basketball players to see it while they were at an out-of-town basketball tournament and they had some time to kill. I guess the coaches chose the film because "Beauwolf" is required reading in high school and they thought it was the lesser of the evils showing at the time. Too bad "Alvin & the Chipmunks" was not showing yet. — The 3D part of it was ok, but maybe I'm too old to enjoy that any more. I felt like I needed to put on my reading glasses in order to see clearly. I did not enjoy the… read full review »

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grammy2two
Keithville, LA

Great movie for just action and sex

Lover of quirky, unique films, not rich, comedy fan, a fan of clever plots, character-lover, college student, Every day computer user, into movies that tell a great story

NOV

2007

I'm picky about the movies I watch, but I saw this for the sake of my friends and I'll review it based on what it set out to accomplish. For those interested in action and sex, this movie would be great. Not spectacular, but great. The use of motion capture animation on most of the movie lead to very stilted and stiff characters, and many other parts of the movie showed poor signs of animating. There could ultimately have been more action in the movie, considering what it was about, but I think the creators enjoyed trying to make more of a story out of this poem. There's loads of… read full review »

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sennyochan
Orlando, FL

Reviews of Beowulf (2007)

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Beowulf (2007) Reviews

Beowulf (2007) Review Summary

Beowulf (2007) Comparison

Beowulf (2007) Ratings and Reviews

Reviews of Beowulf (2007)

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