Last night I saw an advance screening of Beowulf, so I thought I would give my thoughts on it here. While I have read Beowulf, it's also been nearly 10 years since I did so, so my recollection of the actual story versus the movie left me feeling that they did a good enough job as to satisfy the literati (copyright Stephen Colbert), while marking it up enough to make into a good movie.
The version of Beowulf that I saw was the 3D version, though not the IMAX, and I would highly recommend this version to anybody that wants to see the movie as there are certain scenes that are even more intense in 3D (arrows coming at your head certainly adds to the excitement), and of course there's something to be said for nearly-naked digital Angelina Jolie in 3D. Don't worry, Ray Winstone does the same for the ladies out there.
While hubris exhibited by Beowulf in the movie far exceeds what it did in the original work, it's not so far over the top as to be unbelievable, and when coupled with visuals, Beowulf's boasting of deeds committed is something to behold. The end of the movie is predictable of course, and there are certain elements hinted at in the story that are much more obvious in the movie (Hrothgar being the father of Grendael is blatantly stated in the movie but only suggested in the original story).
Over all the movie was an enjoyable experience that I would recommend any fan of the original go and see (which means anybody that possesses an English degree like myself). Check out the 3D version if possible, but I don't think you'll miss out on anything if you don't.
-George R Perry
