Review of Valhalla Rising (2009) by Byron O — 15 Jan 2011

When you see "viking epic," don't be fooled into thinking fast paced, action packed. This movie is visually poetic, dark, and grindingly slow. It is also brutal. Without a pretense to grandiosity, the violence in the film becomes so much more grounded which I consider a nice departure from the typical adrenaline inspired method of conveyance that is so fast you can't tell what just happened.

I don't expect that everyone will like it though. It delves into man's primal essence and forces self examination. If you are looking for action entertainment, look elsewhere. Leave the popcorn on the shelf and grab a glass of wine before turning off the lights.