Beowulf: Compellingly Stunning

Stunning animation and beyond. Go, watch. That's for those of you who like it short.

Beowulf, bringing life to a historical legend, adds another breathtaking dimension to computer-generated-animation-movies genre. The animated actors seem so very realistic, be it their expressions, the dialogues they mouth, or grandly shot (oops! created) action sequences. And coming from Robert Zemeckis, of Forrest Gump fame, it is another shining diamond in his crown.
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Talking about story, there isn't much to write home about. A simple story set in a sixth century Danish Kingdom. The kingdom is cursed by a monster, Grendel (Crispin Glover), who just rips apart people's limbs like tissue. The opening sequence, where king Hrothgar (Anthony Hopkins) and his people are indulging in merry making and fornication, is complete gore (but a treat to watch) when angry Grendel comes and turns the place laden with limbs, heads and bodies strewn over. However, strangely, when challenged by old and incapacitated king Hrothgar, Grendel retreats.

Enter Beowulf (Ray Winstone) from a distant land, who declares that he'll kill the monster. The king trusts him and Beowulf succeeds in dismembering an arm of Grendel, effectively leading Grendel to his death. Grendel's mother (Angelina Jolie) revenges by slaughtering almost all of Beowulf's men. So, the mother itself must be killed. And so goes the great warrior, Beowulf, to kill the monster mommy. A stunning beauty, Grendel's mother, sets Beowulf's testosterones level running super high, persuades him to bear his child and, in return, promises to make him the greatest king ever in the history.

Beowulf comes back to Hrothgar and declares he has killed both Grendel and his mother. Hrothgar lauds his efforts publicly, however, personally he is assured that he hasn't killed the monster's mother. He makes Beowulf the king, as he has no heir, and then immediately jumps off the castle to his death. Beowulf comes to know that Grendel was Hrothgar's son. Beowulf becomes an all-conquering king, establishing his authority everywhere. However, in his old years now, he is increasingly getting disillusioned by senseless murdering just to have his rein all over. And one day, the terror strikes the kingdom again, this time in the form of a monster dragon. And who is this monster now -- his own son. History repeating itself. Now, he must kill the monster to protect his people. He does so, and when dying makes his faithful lieutinent the king, who eventually is serenaded by the monster mother again. And that's where the movie ends.

Apart from eyeball-popping effects, the movie also takes a dab at today's world's scenario -- that of we creating our own monsters and then eventually paying a huge price to get rid of them.

You cannot comment on the performances as these are not flesh-and-blood actors, but a very,very-realistic digital equivalents. Still, certain moments, especially the one where Hrothgar asks Beowulf whether he has actually killed the monster mother, does not lack even a bit in terms of expressions, the minor twitch, raised eyebrow, the quivering lips, and questioning and hapless look on the actors' faces -- it all looks stupendously real.

You might be offended by explicit nudity in certain sequences. However, full frontal nudity has been cleverly avoided by strategically placing things.

Coming to action sequences, the last scene involving battle between Beowulf with his monster sun, is probably one of the most breathtaking sequences ever recorded on 35 mm.

Parents be advised that the movie is extremely high on sexual and barbaric content. Don't be convinced that since it's animation, it's not anything real; it is as real as it gets. The movie might have been been rated PG13 in America, but might be disturbing enough even for some of the grown ups.

All in all, a grand treat to watch. It's all animation, yet so very realistic. Amaze yourself with this pure action adventure, that has just raised the bar many notches higher in animation genre.