Trailer Tuesday: Beowulf

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Beowulf is based on the 11th Century Anglo-Saxon Epic poem, focusing on Scandanavian hero Beowulf and his encounters with various monsters... including a dragon. The story has been adapted for the big screen a handful of times, but this time it's Robert Zemeckis in the director's chair with author Neil Gaiman and Roger Avery behind the screenplay. The film also features an all-star cast, including Ray Winstone, Angelina Jolie, Anthony Hopkins, Robin Wright Penn, Crispin Glover and John Malkovich.


As Zemeckis did with Polar Express and Monster House, Beowulf was filmed live action, performance captured and then CGIed over - a technique called digitally enhanced live action, according to Wikipedia.

It's an interesting choice of approach, and I'm quite excited to see the finished film, despite the fact that I'm not that familiar with the epic poem on which Beowulf is based. Oh, and and apparently it's going to be PG-13, so don't be expecting copious amounts of flesh and blood on display (ho hum!).


Some online commentators have been griping that the trailer looks like a video game cut scene, with characters who move too smoothly and lack genuine facial emotion. But as a cut scene addict, I think it looks top notch. As far as I'm concerned, they should be making the WarCraft film in this very cinematic style.


Beowulf comes out on 16 November, and overseas will also be released in the IMAX 3D format. Don't forget to check out the official site for some awesome wallpapers, and other goodies.

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