Review of Macbeth (2015) by Brayden T — 15 Jan 2016

This telling of Macbeth is like no other that has been done before...seriously. Both in visuals and in the approach to the material. Beginning with the former, this whole movie feels like one continuous panoramic painting of grim, macabre tragedy. It's striking, emotional, and you find that you just cannot look away, even if you wanted to. Unfortunately, this also tends to distract away a little from the fantastic performances. But that is a small grope. Kurzel's vision of the classic material is executed with a surrealistic, dream-like essence that feels inspired by Refn films, especially, "Valhalla Rising". The images are bleak and eerily minimalist, giving the endless bounds of Scotland's plains and the stomachs of sacred castles a very intimidating aura.

As for the preformances, all are great, but Fassbender as Macbeth was candy. Fassbender NAILED it, and really cemented the approach to the character that this film was taking, hinting at PTSD and post war mental trauma. Macbeth is a tragic character up until the end, and even when he is possessed of evil will, we can always see the weight plain on his shoulders of the mounting consequences to his past sins, and he knows it.

By the final scene of the film, my eyes were wide and I really did feel like what I was seeing was special. The climactic battle ensues, and in a gusty, blood red storm of swords and ash, draped in a haunting slow motion, it builds up to resemble something truly mythical, biblical even.