I just got home from a screening of Transformers in IMAX (more on that later), where they premiered another new trailer for Robert Zemeckis’ Beowulf. Aside from the 3D coolness, I really have no interest in seeing this flick. The animation or motion capture looks as the story, which I’m sad to say was a collaboration between Comic book legend Neil Gaiman and Roger Avary (Rules of Attraction, Killing Zoe, Pulp Fiction). I expect way better from everyone involved, including Zemeckis. And I’m still not sure I understand why you would go through all the trouble of motion capture to make the animated character look exactly like a zombie version of the original actor/actress. Just seems like an extreme waste of time to me. You can check out the new trailer after the jump.
Beowulf hits theaters on November 16th 2007.
September 20th, 2007 at 3:48 am
The “I. Am. Beworlf.” and the music choices are such desperate attempts to scream “This. Is. 300!”
And clearly… it’s not.
Instead it screams video game stiffness. Boooo.
September 20th, 2007 at 5:19 am
Sloopy, you’re EXACTLY right on the money about that. This film will be a monumental disaster that will at least nearly ruin Zemekis’ career.
September 20th, 2007 at 6:06 am
God, what an overstatement.
September 20th, 2007 at 6:14 am
Totally with you on this one, they are ripping this heroic tale to shreds. If you want an awesome movie, with motion capture and 3-D, why would you pick an ancient legend? Why not something futuristic?
September 20th, 2007 at 11:01 am
Sorry guys, I’m very much looking forward to this. Ever since the Final Fantasy movie I’ve been waiting for another realistic CG feature and being in the VFX industry, it is exciting to see someone taking the difficult task of creating photo-real humans on-screen. Can’t wait to see it!
September 20th, 2007 at 1:24 pm
i thought the trailer was good.
sure, i would love it if this wasnt how the movie will be, i want a realer, grittier, not “animated” film. it seems like shrek to me, just with some violence.
September 20th, 2007 at 6:05 pm
I’m sorry but you guys are being foolish. This movie will be amazing. The reason for the animation is simple: the technology is getting better and easier to use and there have already been beowulf live action movies which bombed. Zemekis has a penchant for incorporating special effects into the story being told in a seamless way and he’s won oscars for it. I highly doubt his career will faulter because of this movie. If anything, he will become more popular. Ask anyone under 18 if they know who Robert Zemekis is and good luck finding a “yes.”
September 20th, 2007 at 6:32 pm
A agree, people are being foolish by saying that this movie will ruin Robert’s career. But at the same time, I saw 20-30 minutes of this movie in 3D during a special presentation, and was VERY DISAPPOINTED by the story and the animation. The only thing that I found entertaining was the 3D.
November 3rd, 2007 at 7:29 pm
This 3D movie taken from a very acient English Literature poem or short story, occurred probably before the knighthood period in England. Obviously, this is an experimental classic and may pre- date Chaucer’s Canterberry Tales. Just accept the oddity of this film for its history value and the amazing 3D cinematography. Movie viewers should try and appreciate the art work and the amazing directing of one of the most innovative, brillant directors, Robert Zemekis. Many movie fans are not able to accept movies which are not the usual mainstream prosaic thrill of sex , violence,and orthodox production. The more intellectual movie buff will value this piece of originality and judge the creativeness, especially when seen on IMAX.
November 11th, 2007 at 3:07 am
“This 3D movie taken from a very acient English Literature poem or short story, occurred probably before the knighthood period in England. Obviously, this is an experimental classic and may pre- date Chaucer’s Canterberry Tales.”
Don’t people study Beowulf in school anymore? Short Story? Do you know when the short story came into literature? That would be the 19th Centurey — Poe. So, yes, it IS a poem, but unlike other poems that are on the same codex, this one is an epic poem. I trust I don’t have to explain that. It’s written in old English. It is obviously older than Chaucer’s Canterbury tales, which is middle english. Infact, it’s more than twice as old.
Being a movie, this won’t be faithful to the original — which is apparent just from watching the trailers, but I doubt that anyone here will notice since no one even has a clue what the story’s actually about.
As if Shrek and 300 will be remembered a thousand years hence. Sheesh, why do I come to this stupid sites.
November 14th, 2007 at 4:53 pm
I can’t wait to go see it…I think it was smart, and easier to create this way instead of it being real, because it saved a lot of money…and I think it will make some good money, since this is a story that we read in 12th grade english, and are going to see it, and i think so many schools will let their seniors plan a field trip to go see it like we are, and i think those that have read it before in the past, will want to go see it, as well, plus i think kids will definitely want to go see it since it has a girl in it that looks nude, lol…but I can’t wait…
November 18th, 2007 at 10:20 am
Geez, people should wait until they’ve actually *seen* the movie before trashing it. I saw it last night (non-IMAX) and was quite impressed. I wasn’t familiar with the story before seeing it. It definitely takes motion capture animation to a new level. The detail and realism is also the best I’ve seen in CGI.
The reason for doing it this way becomes apparent if you see the movie and think about it a bit. With fantastical creatures and characters you obviously can’t make the whole think live action. The story is well suited to a ‘graphic novel’ kind of approach like many other animated movies (yes, even ‘300′). There is in fact a graphic novel ‘Beowulf’ by Gareth Hinds that I would also recommend.
And yes the story is very old! The first written version has been estimated to 1000 AD. It was in the oral tradition for centuries before that! Estimates are that the characters that can be traced to historical figures who lived around 500-600 AD.
Gary
January 6th, 2008 at 5:59 pm
well put it simply , it was awesome! if u dont like fantasy and etc dont bother, otherwise dont be a tight a$$ and go and see it and make up your own mind lol cant help to wonder if the non imax 3d version would be as good/fun though hmm
(drool @ angelina’s animated curve’s) yer alot of movies try to do the 300 thing,but who cares if you like movies and fantasy and etc just go see it make up ya own mind.i thought it was F*$%ing awesome! the animation/capture was great and makes the dragon scenes seem normal in movie ifya follow.