Review of Valhalla Rising (2009) by Michael V — 15 Nov 2011

This movie was brilliant. It was like Terrence Malick's and Jim Jarmusch's brains had sex and gave birth to this. This will not leave my mind for quite some time. And this will be a hard movie to discuss.

Especially since you'll either love it or hate it. Nothing I could really say will swing someone either way. But Mads Mikkelsen gives a completely silent performance. Not even any facial emotions.

But yet he just draws you in. Its hard to say what really happens in the several segments the movie is split into but the religious tone shows this is not a movie on a more existential level. And as I am still trying to piece the impressions together I find that its a movie that sticks with you long after watching if you let yourself dive into the dense atmosphere.

The imagery is stunning throughout, the most simple shots like a close up of knifes being washed in a river look like a painting being constructed and the constant difference between the beauty of the cinematography and the cold colors, raw violence and the dark droning soundtrack are as captivating.

If you're looking for an epic battle movie stick with Centurion or 300. This is a journey of a trapped soul making it's way to Valhalla. This is pure art. This shows the difference between a movie and a film.