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List Price: $29.99 | | Label: Paramount
Salesrank: 1858
Released: February 26, 2008 |
| Our Price: $8.05 |
| Used Price: $2.25 |
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MPAA Rating: Unrated
Media: DVD |
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Editorial Review:
In the age of heroes comes the mightiest warrior of them all Beowulf. After destroying the overpowering demon Grendel he incurs the undying wrath of the beast s ruthlessly seductive mother who will use any means possible to ensure revenge. The ensuing epic battle throughout the ages immortalizing the name Beowulf. Academy Award® winner director Robert Zemeckis tells the oldest epic tale in the English language with the most modern technology advancing the cinematic forum through the magic of digitally enhanced live action. A stellar cast is led by Ray Winstone ( The Departed Sexy Beast ) in the title role. Joining him are Academy Award® winner Anthony Hopkins as the cursed King Hrothgar John Malkovich Robin Wright Penn Brendan Gleeson Crispin Glover Alison Lohman and Oscar® Winner Angelina Jolie as Grendel s mother.System Requirements:Running Time: 114 minutesFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: SCI-FI/FANTASY/FANTASY Rating: UNRATED UPC: 097361323145 Manufacturer No: 132314
Description of Beowulf (Unrated Director's Cut):
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 physicalized 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 lushly 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
Beowulf (Unrated Director's Cut) Reviews:
An Epic Adventure 
2008-10-06 - Shadow Watcher
Nobody Drowns in Mineral Lake
In ANNIE HALL, Woody Allen advises Diane Keaton not to take any college courses where she has to read BEOWULF.
I know whereof he speaks, because I had to read it in one of my English classes and it was boring.
That's certainly not the case with this digitally enhanced live-action movie that takes the legendary tale set in ancient Denmark and makes it one of the most exciting, visually stunning films in recent memory. Not only does director Robert Zemeckis' deliver an epic tale of the world's original hero, but he also gives us the most believable multi-dimensional characters yet seen in a movie that utilizes these computer augmented techniques.
Burly character actor Ray Winstone, who looks nothing like his on-screen image in this film, plays Beowulf, the heroic Thane who slays the monster, Grendel, then makes an unholy pact with his demon mother (Angelina Jolie).
Anthony Hopkins, Robin Wright Penn and John Malkovich also play key roles in the strong cast.
- Michael B. Druxman, author of ONCE UPON A TIME IN HOLLYWOOD (available December 2008)
MST3K Fans Rejoice -- Rifftrax is Here! 
2008-09-29 - For years we at RiffTrax have lived under the mistaken belief that we are Beowulf. So we were shocked when a cartoon version of Ray Winstone squeezed into a tiny pair of leather battle panties (LBPs) and set us straight in no uncertain terms. And he's right - HE. IS. BEOWULF!! Though it took some getting used to the idea that we are not Beowulf, in all honesty it's been a whole lot more pleasant to come into the office and see pants where one once saw nothing but a sea of LBPs.
But if you haven't yet exceeded your limit, may we suggest you download our hilarious new RiffTrax for Beowulf in which a fully-clothed Mike, Kevin and Bill take on our less-than-clothed hero, his extremely unclothed lizardy paramour (played with big-boobs gusto by Digilina Jolie), and a disappointingly unclothed Anthony Hopkins.
IT! IS! FUNNY!!!
It's Beowulf + Bluray~!
2008-09-29 - If you have not seen Beowulf yet, it is the best chance to watch it on Bluray. If you have seen Beowulf already it is the best time to own it. Why? It's on Bluray. Watch the one of the best movie with the best quality on the market now.
A huge disappointment-should have been rated R for sexual content 
2008-09-27 - I agree with most of the other 1 star reviews. I had just finished reading the epic to my sons, ages 10 and 12, and thought I would follow it up with the movie, but we couldn't even finish it because of the lewdness and nakedness! Imagine Beowulf fighting Grendel naked! How absurd. The epic has Beowulf, Hrothgar and others as NOBLE, honorable men; they are far from noble in this version. The animation makes it sickening to watch as well.
Great looking movie and fantastic in HD!!!
2008-09-13 - This movie is really good, and seeing it in superior HD makes it even more enjoyable. The DC of the movie is just more blood and guts, so I can't say its superior to anything the regular version has to offer...minus the visuals of course.
I have to say though the movie experience that comes with this movie which is not available in the bluray version is fantastic. Again, its interesting how 8 months after bluray bought out Warner Bros. they still don't have all the features and niceidies that HDDVD had from day one. Still a crying shame but oh well.
