Beowulf

After coming back to Honda Cars Alabang just like a ghost of a car buff restless until he gets what he wants, I dropped by Ayala Town Center just so I can catch a van going back to my place. Once there, curiosity guided my feet to pass by the cinema to check out the new movies. After all it’s been a while since I’ve watched one. Beowulf. Three cinemas are showing it. But then I remembered someone from multiply.com had a review of it and the review about it was bad (no pun intended).

So right after buying some delicacies at Bread Talk bakeshop I hastily go to the van terminal for me to be home at least more than an hour after lunch – and watch PBB maybe or have my regular siesta. Disappointingly, the vans are all empty and the dispatcher mentioned that the first trip will leave by 2pm. Now what’s left to do but to go back inside ATC and convince myself to check Beowulf despite the threat of drowsiness.

But that drowsiness didn’t come. My siesta clock shut down and there I was in front of the big screen with eyes wide open.

From the very start of the movie until the end I just can’t believe that what I’m watching is a 3D animation. I can’t remember if I’ve mentioned this before (either in my Blog or to someone) that someday there will come a time when we won’t differentiate an animated character to a real one. Now I think it is starting to happen.

The cast and crew of this movie did a great job producing a very realistic film. I don’t know the technology behind it but whatever it is, it is the future of animation.

Anyone who will watch this film will eventually notice the resemblance of the animated characters to the real actors behind the face and voice. Just after watching Meet Joe Black, I immediately recognized John Hopkins (Hrothgar). Then I recognized John Malkovich (Unferth), first from the accent then the stare confirmed the hunch. Of course, anyone who has seen Angelina Jolie (Grendel’s Mother) will immediately notice the pouty lips (even in animation, she just looks so seductive and sexy).

I don’t know the rest of the actors behind the other characters but just by the look of it, I’m sure they’ll be exactly just the same in person. Although I doubt if Ray Winstone (Beowulf) has all the battle scars on his body.

And here another one  that I find fascinating about this movie. Although it may have cost a bit more (I don’t have the idea how much exactly) to produce this quality of animation than do prosthetics or make up, the producers had the pleasure of doing whatever they want for an actor or character to look like. Beowulf I think will set the trend.

The story may have some flaws but the experience of watching the awesome animation totally compensated for all of it. It was so (with extended ooooo’s) good, that I think viewing it in IMAX will be more thrilling and fun…wait, forget the fun, this is not for the squeamish or weak of heart. And just a word of advice, do not bring and eat pizza or even Bavarian donuts (or any food that drips) if you’re picking this movie. Trust me, you’ll regret it. I just hope I’m not going to have nightmares again tonight.