Beowulf has been adapted for the big screen numerous times over the years, but 2007 brings us the first Beowulf movie to be animated in
IMAX 3-D. Cast members were filmed on a motion capture stage, and the rest of the movie was animated based on their likeness and movements. Like it or not, this is going to be a big part of moviemaking in the future. How soon we get to that future depends on the success of Beowulf.
Beowulf tells the story of a warrior who travels across the sea to help rid a town of an evil monster named Grendel. But ridding the town of
Grendel only serves to incur the wrath of his mother, an animated version of
Angelina Jolie. Beowulf is seduced into making a deal with Grendel’s mother in order to save the town, but returns with stories of how he killed her. Beowulf is made king, and the town is peaceful for years. At least it’s peaceful as far as not being attacked by monsters. The town becomes a more warlike society with a man like Beowulf as their leader. The pact with Grendel’s mother doesn’t last forever, as years later she sends an evil dragon to attack the town. Beowulf must step down from his throne and fight for the town once again. It’s a simple story, but what more can you expect from a movie based on what is basically a long poem?
The stars of this film are the animators. The animation is amazing. Most of the time I forgot I was watching an animated movie. Even a woman’s breasts have a natural bounce to them. There is still work to be done on the hands and some of the facial expressions, but it’s only a matter of time before that is perfected. If you have an
IMAX theater near you, you must see this in
IMAX 3-D. It’s like you are right there as the story unfolds. It takes you underwater, surrounds you with rain or snow, and has you jumping and dodging things in the action sequences. Birds fly over your head, and horses seem to come from behind you. You will have never experienced action sequences like those in Beowulf. The fights are not kids stuff, but brutal and bloody battles taking place right in front of you. The final attack by the dragon is so spectacular and breathtaking that I won’t even try to describe it. You will not fully experience this film in a regular theater. Even if you can’t get to an
IMAX theater, get to a theater with a digital 3-D projector. It was meant to be experienced in 3-D. If you saw the 3-D ending of Harry Potter and were not impressed, don’t worry. The 3-D in Harry Potter is not even in the same league with Beowulf. I feel like I’ve taken a peek into the future of the movie going experience and that future can’t get here fast enough for me. I can’t wait to see what comes out next in
IMAX 3-D. A Transformers movie would be my pick.
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