Shabri's Take on Beowulf

Shabri Worthey

October 7, 2013

Mr. O’Brien

                                                                        Beowulf

Beowulf, the movie, as it is depicted by Robert Zemericks proves early on to be an exciting and railroading film.  Zemerick should be pleased with his execution in transforming a traditionally used epic poem in the academic curriculum into a glorifying film that teens wouldn't mind seeing on a Saturday night. Events and battles were brilliantly portrayed.  Not only is it necessary to bring your 3D glasses but you should also come equipped with a sense of humor capable of withstanding the imaginative ideas, and the irony posed in the film. With the daunting task of creating this production of Beowulf  Angelina Jolie as Grendel’s Mother, Ray Winstone as Beowulf, Anthony Hopkins as Hrothgar, Crispin Glover as Grendel, Robin Wright as Whealtheow, and John Malkovich as Unferth, work effortlessly together and they create exceptional work.

            Zemericks choice in the exclusion of profanity but to use of digital animation, which proved successful in The Polar Express, allowed the film to be warranted with a Pg-13 rating. After witnessing the first major action scene, as Grendel gruesomely attacked and devoured human beings, it develops a standard and a set of expectation for the following battles that may not seem suitable for thirteen year old eyes. Although the vivid scenes of monsters having blood dripped down their bodies after being harshly stabbed in the eyes may be slightly innaropriate for a thirteen year old to watch, the 3D effect develops a certain allure, thereby captivating the interested mind of a pre-teen. If a child is easily disturbed by blood then perhaps they may only need to take a quick glance at Grendel to know this isn’t the movie for them. Zemericks choice in personifying Grendel, making him appear as a human without flesh is a hard sight to bare in itself. Despite Grendels appearance, digital animation provides the audience with an interactive and realistic experience, adding to the success of the film

            Not all things are hard on the eyes in this film. Through use of sexual innuendos and seductive actions, sequences of events were thoroughly modified, sacrificing the original meaning of text in order to fulfill viewers’ interests. Zemerick's modifications concerning Beowulf’s priorities offers women as a distraction to Beowulf allowing him to compromise his missions.  The mind-bottling twist and revelation that culminate the film acknowledges just how valuable Zemerick views the power of a woman’s influence. Jolie's first appearance as she emerges from the depths of the water dripping, only to be covered by gold paint is the first, but not the last time that viewers realize the conformity in Grendels mother’s character. Prior to the shocking revealing of Grendels Mother, Zemerick uses subtle instances to hint at sex, such as faint moaning while a woman performs the simple chore of wiping the table. In the text, sex was had less value and was barely mentioned.

Beowulf the poem, as translated by Seamus Heaney, developed its eminence because of its position in the evolution of the English language. Despite the clarity of events, antagonists, protagonists, the language gets lost in the midst of the thrill, seduction and action. Beowulf is infamous for his numerous boasts in the text of the poem, specifically the boast he gives at his arrival. In this same context Beowulf simply offers a strong line saying “I am Beowulf, and I am here to kill your monster.”  This is not the only changes made. Suicides, death, marriage and relationship all play a similar but a different role in the film than in the original text.    

         After reading other reviews I considered a remark made and I whole-heartedly agree with the idea presented by Claudia Puig. She says, “Perhaps the breathtaking spectacle will inspire kids to read the original epic poem. Maybe it will just pack them into the theaters. Either way, having Beowulf become a household name can certainly do no harm.”  Often times it is hard for a film-maker to gain the respect of viewers after altering the written works. Manohla Dargis  suggests that “The solution for many filmmakers is to try to top the reader’s imagination or distract or overwhelm it usually by throwing everything they can at the screen, including lots of big bog; big noises, sets, moves, effects, stars and yup, even big breasts.” However, I conclude that together both of these reviews are correct. Despite the alterations Robert Zemerich makes, the movie is pleasing and fun for a child to watch and gives parents or older siblings who have read the book the opportunity to have a conversation with the child about the reality of Beowulf and its true significance.