Review of Valhalla Rising (2009) by Allan C — 15 Jan 2011

"Hooooly shit," says I. I came into Rising with little to no expectations, unlike this year's True Grit and Black Swan. I am so grateful for my ignorance. If I had to choose a "Best of the Year" film, it would either be Rising or Winter's Bone.

Rising is an organic visual dream/nightmare, depending how one sees it. I've not seen a film of such beauty, and suspense from this beauty, since Tarkovsky (I'm an A.T. freak... so better comparisons do exist).

This is my type of movie: maybe 120 lines of dialogue in the entire film? (no Russell Crowe Gladiator speeches either!). The scenery is as important as any of the characters besides the boy and One Eye.

The seemingly plotless narrative that offers more suspense than anything I've seen in years (I literally needed some Pepto after the credits rolled--it's amazing what a little mystery can do).

I suppose if you've read the origin story of how the film came to be made or know your Norse Mythology, it may make more sense, but I IMPLORE you do not read anything before viewing and resist (although incredibly hard) stopping the film in order to see what the f**k is going on! I see Rising as a day spent laying in a field looking up at the clouds.

.. interpret what you will (it won't matter in the end, as the means outshine the ends.) It's not as brutal as the trailer depicts it, as the film is divided into chapters and each chapter is a small voyage of its own.

Now, as for the titles... I'm not a big fan, but what can ya do? I thought that the chapters could have cut together seamlessly without the titles (even adding to the mystique). Actually, now thinking about how minor this issue is, I've decided to give it a 10/10 from a 9.

It's just beautiful and everlastingly re-watchable.