Review of Beowulf (2007) by Brennan B — 09 Oct 2010

Beowulf, the Anglo-Saxon epic poem, has been successfully adapted to a motion picture, and though it deviates from its original plot, the overall themes encompassing the tale hold true, and so I give it 4 stars. Without a doubt Beowulf provides plenty of exhilarating battle scenes as well as a gripping plot. At first glance various scenes in the film may seem over the top. Zemeckis may be trying too hard to make a movie that has mind-boggling effects and action, but Beowulf remains thrilling.

As for its accuracy to the original epic poem, Beowulf does take a different approach to various parts of the story, but for good reason. For example, Grendel is not simply a monster created from others like him, but instead from Grendel?s mother and King Hrothgar. This difference between the two isn?t a result of the any ignorance of the director-- it is his brilliance. The conception of Grendel is more of a manifestation of evil because of King Hrothgar giving in to the temptation of Grendel?s lascivious mother and so it gives Beowulf?s conquest of Grendel an even more heroic sense. Beowulf later gives in to Grendel?s mother?s allure, which is also different from the poem, and unknowingly creates the offspring of the golden-man dragon hybrid. This presents the theme that even the mightiest of hero?s are mortal and imperfect. Beowulf though does manage to defeat his greatest evil though, but he has to pay the ultimate price. The parallel that can be drawn from the theme of Beowulf giving his life to defeat the dragon and the original poem is that there is a balance of good and evil, and the evil that Beowulf created was also his downfall. Overall, I feel that any changes that were made in the adaption of Beowulf definitely worked and presented us with a powerful film.

Beowulf does remain true to various Anglo-Saxon and epic motifs even through its alterations. It contains the Anglo-Saxon?s loyalty to their family, clan, and kingdom in Beowulf?s men?s loyalty to him through every hardship, no matter the risk. Wiglaf also remains Beowulf?s greatest companion until the very end in both the film and poem. The movie still contains the characteristics of an epic such as monsters, heroes, celebrations, and a funeral. In it?s entirety I believe Beowulf?s adaption of the classic epic poem is well done and any changes that were made in the transition certainly did not ruin the tale, but instead strengthened any previous themes and even added some of its own.