Beowulf Review Round-Up, Part II: Wiglaf's Revenge
We've have enough new reviews of Beowulf that I decided to create a new post, rather than updating the old.
- Matthew Gabriele "actually kind of liked the movie."
- Gaiman is happy to spread the ancient story, and Andy Orchard agrees.*
- Tim Machen argues that "such reinvention has helped keep the poem alive"
- Kate Laity says the film is "utter pants." No, that's not a good thing.
- Dr. Virago calls the film "a sloppy disaster of disorganization, hastiness, illogic, and misreading." Well, OK, Dr. V. has since protested that the quote is out of context, and that a better quote would be, "smart moments of insight." So, it's something like, it has smart moments of insight but resembles a B- paper that is a "sloppy disaster of disorganization, hastiness, illogic, and misreading."
- Also, this review from a student at my showing. In fact, I spilled my popcorn on her. Really.
- According to Jennifer Lynn Jordan, "Even when it was bad, it was fun."
- LLCoolCarlIII re-names my blog based on the Beowulf movie. Also, he made me laugh. A lot.
6 Comments:
Aw shucks, I told you you didn't have to change the blurb. You're right -- it's a much cooler quote than anything else in the review.
And that Carl P. is *hilarious*.
I think it's pretty clear from her blog that JLJ knows how to have fun under most circumstances.
Thank you, Dr. Muhlberger! If I ever stop having fun as a medievalist I'll probably have to become an accountant. That will be a sad day. For me, anyway, and probably a relief for the rest of you.
Thank you for including all those links. I saw the movie on Saturday night and have enjoyed the communal kibitzing in response to the movie.
It's more fun than focusing on global current events.
The thing that bothered me the most about the movie was rendering the lead character as an arrogant man only interested in fame and glory, but without honor.
That I thought was the fatal flaw in the movie.
No amount of action sequences or GI could remedy that deficiency.
Have a good Thanksgiving!
Linda McCabe
Thanks for the link back, Doc.
And that was good popcorn. Could have fed the other half and I for a week.
The Old English consultant for the movie is blogging here.
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