Beowulf & Grendel

Beowulf & Grendel takes a swing at bringing the ancient epic poem into the modern cinematic world but comes up a little short. Sure, it’s visually stunning and caters to today’s audiences, but it’s missing that raw, savage edge that could’ve made this sixth-century saga hit hard. With its semi-recognizable cast and literary background, the film might find a niche audience in specialized screenings, but its real success could be in foreign markets and ancillary distribution.

The original Beowulf was transcribed from its oral form between 700-1000 A.D. in a version of English that's basically indecipherable today. It’s a tale of a Danish king who, after slaying a fearsome troll, needs the foreign warrior Beowulf’s help to deal with that troll’s vengeful son.

Set in a cold, pagan world of barbarism and brute force, the story ain’t exactly sunshine and rainbows. It’s got this elemental quality that reflects the Anglo-Saxon and Germanic-Scandinavian mythologies it comes from, which keeps folks fascinated by it.

King Hrothgar, played by Stellan Skarsgård, takes out a pesky troll but lets the little critter’s son, Grendel, played by Ingvar Sigurðsson, live. Big mistake. Years later, Grendel goes on a killing spree in the king’s great hall, and the depressed Hrothgar calls in Beowulf and his crew from Geatland to deal with the problem.

He kills the strongest first. He shows us he can kill the strongest. Who cares if he spares the children? They’ll die anyway without fathers.

The film tries to throw some modern humor into this ancient tale, but it’s hit and miss. While there’s an attempt to make it relatable, the overall vibe feels a bit too traditional and lacks the primal punch it really needed.

Director Sturla Gunnarsson knows there’s some savagery lurking in this story, but he doesn’t quite unleash it like he should. The film ends up feeling kinda tame, missing that disturbing quality it could’ve had. And while some funny moments are sprinkled in, they often feel out of place in the grand scheme of things.

The performances are decent, with Gerard Butler stepping up as Beowulf, showing more command than in other roles. Skarsgard nails the remorse and despair of King Hrothgar. But Sarah Polley’s North American accent sticks out like a sore thumb in this otherwise authentic setting.

The Icelandic landscapes are a real standout, captured beautifully by Jan Kiesser’s widescreen shots. The rugged costumes and epic score help set the tone, but they only do so much to make up for the film’s storytelling and character flaws.