Topic: Beowulf

[bustin98]

Roger Ebert gave the film 3 out of 4 stars. I think he liked it. He just sees humor in the telling.

And I went in the film knowing nothing about it specifically. I didn't even think about it being different from the source material. That is why I had that reaction to Grendel.

As for character flaws, please. Its like giving character flaws to Superman. Are we going to see Supes using his x-ray vision for some jollies? I think not. Beowulf is the first Superman, the first boy scout. If you want characters that have issues, there's always Hercules.

That said, I find this particular story entertaining. I enjoyed it. I feel disappointed by the animation, but I've pointed that out already.

[GoldenPhoenix]

Actually I like Superman with character flaws it makes me relate to the character better, same with Beowulf.  BTW what is this Dark Crystal movie that have been referenced?

[ShyGuy]

The Dark Crystal is a movie from 1982 by Jim Henson (Creator of the Muppets) and Frank Oz (voice of Yoda and many muppets) The unique thing about the movie is it is all puppets. The creatures and special effects they were able to do with puppets was AMAZING. It's funny, watching I caught myself thinking "wow, the lighting is really realistic on those giant beetles" That's because it was real lighting. I had gotten so used to all creatures being CGI that it really made the visuals of the movie stand out.

Anyways, the comparison between The Dark Crystal and Beowulf was that they are both technically stunning and stand as the pinnacles of their craft. On the flip side, the astounding visuals and special effects seems to have come at the price of a well written script and the "acting." Neither puppets nor CGI  can emote quite as well as a human can.

[GoldenPhoenix]

I'll have to see The Dark Crystal. I understand what you are saying with the facial expressions, that has a ways to go still.

[bustin98]

I think Yoda has taught us that puppets > CGI.

The Dark Crystal is a step above the Muppet Show, two above Fraggle Rock. Jim Henson is a missed talent for sure, but I think what stands out in the Dark Crystal is the atmosphere and environments. I still get blown away by the ending though. Great stuff.

I can't believe their are people who haven't seen The Dark Crystal as a kid. But then I'm old and saw it at the theater during the original release.

For some reason The Dark Crystal always reminds me of The Secret of Nimh. Maybe because they were released the same year.

Any other animated classics we need to convince people to see? The Last Unicorn? Starchaser: Legend of Orin? (Starchaser and Beowulf have a connection. Can someone point it out without cheating?)

[GoldenPhoenix]

I haven't seen those other movies you mentioned either lol.

[Kairon]

You HAVEN'T seen Secret of Nimh? Good gracious. See it, because it's a really great animation from Don Bluth and I only recently realized that it features a wonderful heroine.

[GoldenPhoenix]

I dunno I may have seen it back when I was a kid and can't remember.

[Stogi]

I haven't seen any other movie mentioned in this film. I may have to see Dark Crystal though cuz I love Jim Hansen and especially Muppet Treasure Island.

Boomshakalaka Boomshakalaka Boomshakalaka Boom..........shakalaka  

[MegaByte]

I saw Beowulf at the Metreon's 3D I-MAX.  Really, this is the only way to watch the movie, though I know getting to a 3D theater isn't an option for most people.

[wandering]

I didn't really care for the Dark Crystal. Labyrinth, on the other hand, is awesome.

On topic: I went to see Beowulf (in IMAX 3d), because I like Neil Gaimain (as crappy as his dub script for Princess Mononoke was), and I think 3d is the future of film. I have mixed feelings. On the one hand, it's an entertaining, and reasonably clever, adaptation. Also, unlike King Arthur and Troy, it doesn't try to be "realistic", and most of the good bits from the poem are intact. On the other hand, it was pretty hollow and forgettable. And, the film was a giant gimmick-fest. Photorealisitc CGI humans got old the day Final Fantasy: the Spirits Within came out. Throwing stuff at audience's faces in 3d got old 50 years ago (3d is the future, but not gimmicky 3d.)    

[Kairon]

I actually rather watch a clay-mation/stop-motion movie than a CG one....

[GoldenPhoenix]

Quote
Originally posted by: Kairon
I actually rather watch a clay-mation/stop-motion movie than a CG one....

Really? That form of animation always made me cringe, even back for CGI. lol

[Stogi]

Stop-motion is hilarious no matter what is portrayed!

[Sister Mary LeFever]

I for one believe that 3D will become a critical part of movies, but to say that it's future of it is folly. We are nowhere near photorealism, especially for human characters. I think a blending of live-action and 3D is really how it should go. You get the best of both worlds then, an actual actor's face and expressions, but the special effects that would have been impossible before.

I mean, when watching Lord of the Rings, I can easily tell in a scene if they're using the actual actor or just a CGI rendering of their character. That's for humans, at least. Orcs and other non-humans don't stick out so badly.

[wandering]

Quote
I for one believe that 3D will become a critical part of movies, but to say that it's future of it is folly.

I meant 3d as in 3d glasses 3d. I don't care for CGI humans.

[Sister Mary LeFever]

Quote
Originally posted by: wandering
I meant 3d as in 3d glasses 3d. I don't care for CGI humans.

Ah.

[Stogi]

I hate wearing 3D glasses. Have you noticed that if you look off the center of the screen, that you can see "layers" of video? Yeah, that sh!t gives me a headache.