Review of Valhalla Rising (2009) by Max E — 09 Nov 2011
Where to begin? Valhalla Rising is a challenge to watch, and is certainly an acquired taste. A poetic film such as this demands patience and keen attention, there is next to no dialogue driving the story along, indeed there is nearly no movement in the physical sense.
Gritty realism meets meditation here, with enough to keep fans of violence and gore happy, while emphasising their dramatic qualities and element of surprise. The sound work and especially the music are spine-tingling.
It'd be safe to presume the creators wanted to leave a lot of room to personal interpretation, the beautiful scenery and scenes are filled with imagery, and this unusual style of storytelling will be somewhat unsettling as you get used to the pace.
Many will find this boring or tedious, but for those who want to give it a shot, think Hero meets Braveheart, for intellectuals; a fascinating journey, an eye-opener.
This review of Valhalla Rising (2009) was written by Max E on 09 Nov 2011.
Valhalla Rising has generally received mixed reviews.
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