Review of Outlander (2008) by Zac M — 29 May 2012

A clash of Science Fiction in a Viking-eque iron age leads to an interesting yet all too familiar story. Writer/Director Howard McCain was on to something with this plot, but flaws with structure and casting cause a couple problems for the movie.

It's amazing that some very well known actors were attached to this film such as; James Caviezal(Kainan), John Hurt(Rothgar), and Ron Perlman(Gunnar), it's just a shame that Hurt and Perlman were stuck with underwhelming minor roles.

The story introduces you to Kainan, who is forced to crash land his space-ship in Norway, Eighth century Earth. After sifting through the wreckage Kainan discovers his crew is dead and finds a computer that gives him an understanding of where he's crashed and what the local history and language are.

Once he gets his bearings, Kainan begins to hunt for a creature, "The Moorwen" that forced him to crash and in his attempt, he is captured by the local vikings only to later assist them(the vikings) in defending against the creature.

For a movie that didn't make it to theaters it has some very creative CGI work that could hold it's own against some Hollywood Block-busters. Had the film focused on science a bit more than the brutality of the vikings, it could have been far better.

While that may be true, "Outlander" is still a decent film and will most likely go under the radar for many people, but if you're intrigued by the genre mash-up of Science Fiction and Iron-age swordplay, by all means please see this movie.