BEOWULF

RYAN: My favorite director, Robert Zemeckis, has done me proud once again with his new movie, “Beowulf.”

CAROLINE: I’m surprised that I didn’t hate this movie given that it has all of the elements that I usually can’t tolerate: animation, fantasy, war, ancient times, etc.

RYAN: The reason you liked it is because what trumps all of those elements you hate is the movie’s incredible special effect animation, which we saw in IMAX 3D.

CAROLINE: I think the 3D element was what made it worthwhile for me. I really wish everyone could see it in 3D because it makes the action and adventure sequences that much more exciting. Aside from that, I don’t really love fantasy movies with mythical beasts.

RYAN: Well, I heart fantasy and science fiction, so I loved this story. It’s a little complex, but figuring it out is half the fun. And the animation is so good that it stands on its own even without 3D.

CAROLINE: I didn’t follow the story at all, I must confess; but I think that was mostly because I didn’t care. Some of the action scenes are really exciting though. Grendel the monster is absolutely revolting.

RYAN: Oh my God, I couldn’t believe it! He looks like a rotting human corpse.

CAROLINE: This is definitely not a movie for kids. It’s PG-13 but it’s pretty gory. And if you’re looking for a big role from Angelina Jolie, keep looking.

RYAN: She’s only in it for, like, 10 minutes. But all the performances are great. You’ve got Anthony Hopkins, John Malkovich, Allison Lohman and Robin Wright Penn, but the real star of this movie is Robert Zemeckis. Not only is the animation great, but also the direction and scene choreography is so remarkable and he did things that I’ve never seen before.

CAROLINE: Crispin Glover is the voice of Grendel, but he just shrieks a lot and then speaks in a weird language. This movie is unique in that they shot it in live action first and then animated over it, but it kind of creeped me out that some of the characters look a lot more real than others. For example, Beowulf always looks very real and human…

RYAN: …and then the townspeople look like they’re from a Shrek film.

CAROLINE: Totally! It was a little odd.

RYAN: This movie was a lot more violent than I though it would be, but also a lot sexier. Thank you Robert Zemeckis for making Beowulf naked for a good portion of the movie. Angelina’s body looks hot too, but she’s about 50 lbs. heavier in this than she is in real life.

CAROLINE: [laughs’ Her whole body looked really fake, but her face looked good.

RYAN: Why did all the men in this movie have hair on their noses? That was peculiar.

CAROLINE: Hey, it’s a new film technique; they’re still experimenting.

RYAN: Evidently. Bottom line?

CAROLINE: I didn’t love this movie, but I also didn’t hate it as much as I thought I would. I can’t really recommend it during this time period because there are so many great Oscar contenders out right now, and they’re all about real people living in modern times, which I much prefer.

RYAN: This is so much more than a movie though! It’s an event. It will truly transport you and take you away from the squalor of the real world. You will be shocked and dumbfounded by the brilliance of what a theatrical experience can be. This is truly a technical achievement, and Robert Zemeckis has taken film to the next level. I highly recommend “Beowulf” to everyone. …and stay for the end credits ‘cos the song is by Idina Menzel of Broadway’s “Wicked.”