NowToronto.com review

First run film times

BEOWULF & GRENDEL recounts the first half of the ninth-century Anglo-Saxon poem about the capture and slaying of the murderous titular troll. Gunnarsson and screenwriter Andrew Rai Berzins humanize the story and add elements of serial-killer structure to help build interest. This is essentially a parable about the moral ambiguity of warfare, shot through with themes like the encroachment of Christianity and the role of storytelling. The few false notes (a derivative score, some unfortunate grunting by the monster Grendel) are redeemed by solid performances, especially from no-nonsense Scotsman Gerard Butler (Phantom Of The Opera) and the great Stellan SkarsgŒrd, whose self-destructive king is the personification of every hangover you've ever had. The film's biggest asset, however, is the craggy, moody Icelandic landscape, which Gunnarsson captures without a trace of romantic idealization. It's worth seeing on a great big screen -- it'll lose a lot on DVD.
Rating: NNN
- Glenn Sumi
Directed by Sturla Gunnarsson, runs 103 min.

http://www.nowtoronto.com/cgi-bin/film/film.cgi?film=3529