Review of Valhalla Rising (2009) by Nolan B — 31 May 2011

Think of a vast landscape, full of mountains, forests, rivers, valleys, or any other features of nature. Imagine yourself situated amidst these phenomena, able to slowly take in the fullness and beauty of your surroundings, both on a vast and minuscule scale, according to your present preference. Sounds of the river flowing, bird flying overhead, and the tree's leaves rustling in the wind reach your ears. You gaze at a rock in the creek as water gently trickles over it and allow yourself to be hypnotized in the experience. A deer wanders into a clearing and attracts your attention. Suddenly, a ferocious lion bursts into the clearing, violently devours the deer, and slinks away. This is Valhalla Rising. It is a juxtaposition of glorious imagery and sudden sequences of unrestrained brutality. With fewer than 120 lines of dialogue in the script, it may appear uneventful, but give it your full attention, and it will reward you.

The film opens with a series of scenes depicting slaves in 1000 A.D. in viciously brutal brawls, providing entertainment for their heathen masters on the outskirts of England. Before long, Christian Vikings in search of the Promised Land join the story. The remainder of the film follows One Eye, a supernaturally strong, mute, messianic character, as he and a young boy, accompanying him on his journey, join these Vikings in their search. One Eye is, of course, one-eyed.

The movie grows into a spiritual journey, documenting the party's struggle of faith and survival. One Eye leads the Vikings through foggy waters, untamed forests, and swampy rivers, appropriately paralleling their metaphorical voyage. It is a study on man's brutal and primeval nature, his fear of death, and his attempts to resist or cope with spiritual matters. Even those uninterested in such matters will find more than enough to hold their focus as images of vast and magnificent mountain landscapes, rock formations, rivers, and valleys pour onto the screen. Artfully surreal cinematography fills the gaps in between. Use of red tints, unique angles, and experimentation with lighting, fog, and shades add character throughout. All this coupled with a score consisting of vast soundscapes, shifting into intense heavy distortion, flow and smash perfectly with each turn of the film, making it a perfectly constructed work of art.

Valhalla Rising aggressively barges in, demanding the audiences full attention, then immediately pulls away, fading or expanding according to the viewers extent of exploration. Give it full consideration, it will repay tenfold; deny it, and it will nonetheless tirelessly drag on, never growing into anything more or less.