Review of Centurion (2010) by Susa V — 01 Feb 2011

For Fans Of: Slash-y sword and sandle flicks.

Date Night: Nope.

Art Factor: None.

Fun Factor: Low.

Emotional Factor: None.

Intelligence Factor: Low.

Essential Viewing: No.

The Plot: A roman squadron tries to get back from behind enemy lines.

10 Quick Hits:

1) Super graphic and bloody scenes. If that type of thing isn't your bag, stay away.

2) Director Neil Marshall knows gore (see The Descent) but maybe he needs to learn when too much is overkill.

3) I hope you like very quick cuts in your editing.

4) For a film with a 12 million dollar budget, it looks like it could have easily cost double.

5) The green screen shots aren't 300 level, but the fact that they are kept to a minimum almost seems to give them more reality.

6) Speaking of 300, lead Michael Fassbender (yes, he also fought for Sparta) isn't a terrible sword and sandle action star.

7. Dominic West, unshockingly also from 300, actually leaves you wanting more time with him.

8) Imogen Poots maybe the worst name for an actress with arresting looks I have ever heard but man what a face!

9) For a super macho film, no one kicked more ass or took more names than Olga Kurylenko. I can not wait to see her in the upcoming Roland Joffe pic.

10) When are the makers of these types of films going to figure out the difference between their pics and Gladiator has more to do with dialogue than Russell Crowe?

Final Thought: I have seen better in this genre, but having seen so many terrible ones, a on the line average one like this is not that bad.