BEOWULF ***

This epic adventure stars: Ray Winstone (Beowulf), Angelina Jolie (Grendel's mother), Anthony Hopkins (Hrothgar), Crispin Glover Grendel), John Malkovich (Unferth), Robin Wright Penn (Wealthow), Brendan Gleeson (Wiglaf), and Alison Lohman (Ursula). The director is Robert Zemeckis. Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of violence including disturbing images, some sexual material and nudity; one hour and fifty-three minutes long.

Fortunately, the plot of the film spins a much more coherent story than the one I remember from High School and College English classes. Grendel is a monster whose acute hearing causes him to suffer when the Danes in King Hrothgar's mead hall party too heartily. In retribution he tears a goodly number of them limb from limb which causes Hrothgar to offer half the kingdom's gold to anyone who can slay Grendel. That attracts Beowulf and his band of men, including his right hand man, Wiglaf, and before long Grendel and Beowulf meet resulting in Grendel's death and Beowulf receiving the gold, the crown of the kingdom and Hrothgar's Queen, Wealthow. Then we learn the identities of Grendel's mother and father when Beowulf makes the same mistake Grendel's father did decades before, which estranges him from Wealthow, leaving him to seek solace in the arms of Ursula. After a few decades, it's time to start over again.

I saw the 3D version of the film (it's only in two auditoriums at the 13th Avenue Warren) and I would recommend you do the same, if only to see what state of the art equipment has done for 3D. The 3D effect is intrusive at times but it is more of a plus than a minus. The live/animation process Zemeckis uses has also improved, with the characters appearing more realistic than in earlier presentations using this process. The production and acting is fine and most will find this entertaining, especially since the pace of the film moves right along. While there is nudity, the film is surprisingly sexless and I doubt many will be offended. Little children will be scared by Grendel, however.