Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1745 in DVD
• Released on: 2008-03-17
• Rating: Suitable for 12 years and over
• Aspect ratio: 2.40:1
• Formats: Colour, Dolby, DTS Surround Sound, PAL, Subtitled
• Original language: English, Catalan
• Number of discs: 2
• Running time: 109 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
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 physicalised 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 beautifully 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

DVD Description
Robert Zemeckis directs the CGI-animated Beowulf, starring the voices of Angelina Jolie, Ray Winstone and Anthony Hopkins. After destroying the overpowering demon Grendel, Beowulf incurs the undying wrath of the beast's ruthlessly seductive mother, who will use any means possible to ensure revenge. What follows in an epic battle that will resonate through the ages, and immortalise the name of Beowulf.

Special Features:

- A Hero's Journey: The making of Beowulf
- Beowulf: Mapping the Journey. Production Pods Gallery
- The Origins of Beowulf
- Beast of Burden- Designing the creatures of Beowulf
- The art of Beowulf
- Creating the ultimate Beowulf
- Additional Scenes

Customer Reviews

Gaiman at his (almost) best and a visual stunner!
I truly can't believe there are snobs that trash this movie because of its lack of fidelity towards the original story! Hello, this is the 21st Century. No one would beleive, or like, a story about a perfect arquetipical heroe nowadays.

Those of us who love Sandman and all of Gaimans work know that this is precisely what he does best, adapting old legends and story's to the complexity's and shades that todays public expects and demands. He does a deliciouse job of it, as is his custom. The caracters are multidimensional and their interactions also.

It is also extremly beautifull to watch! Ok, the computer generation is still not good enough to capture extreme subtlety's of expression on the actors faces but its still an enormouse advance over other movies. The facial gestures are expressive and, unless you get too fickety, totaly belivably. You find yourself at first, marvelling over the visuals and finally, forgetting its not the real thing. Its sooooo beautifull!

A fantastic cast, great story, fantastic action scenes and a totally enjoyable experience. Surprising on many levels. Enjoy!

Entertaining but not Extraordinary
Some of the effects in this film are incredibly realistic to the point where you'd almost believe it was live action film. Some of them are also a little questionable looking. Some great action sequences but I have to suggest this movie has a bit of violence and a few references to sex - don't just ignore the 12 rating and let your 5 year olds watch this.

Also one thing that did slightly annoy me is that Grendel (while following from the stories speaks in Anglo-saxon tongue) was very hard to understand unless you replayed it back over and over again. There should have been some subtitles.

It's a story of legend, heroism, lust and greed. If those are your four favourite qualities in a movie I'd say go for it.

ENTERTAINING...
Look it's no masterpiece BUT it's enjoyable! The CG animation while still yet to achieve photo realism is excellent & it is action packed!
The Grendel monster is REALLY well done & the climactic battle with the Dragon is probably the best of its type since 1981's Dragonslayer!
Probably the best animated character belongs to Anthony Hopkin's King Hrothgar. Actually looks like Hopkins!
Visually it is stunning & as a whole it's certainly better than many of it's peers. It's surprisingly gory in parts with some risque, adult humour as well - Definiteley NOT a kid's film!
I'd recommend buying this along with Beowulf and Grendel starring Gerard Butler as you will get 2 very different but worthy versions of the same story.
If you liked Lord Of The Rings, Pathfinder or 300, I honestly can't see you not liking this.