"Beowulf" (2007) presents an animated take on the classic epic poem, featuring a cast including Ray Winstone, Anthony Hopkins, Angelina Jolie, and Robin Wright Penn. The film utilizes motion capture animation, a technique previously seen in “The Polar Express” and "Monster House." Despite being presented as a cartoon, it carries an R-rating due to its graphic violence and explicit content. The story adheres to the original poem’s characters—Beowulf, Hrothgar, Wiglaf, Grendel, Grendel's mother, and the dragon—and divides the narrative into three parts: Beowulf’s battle with Grendel, his confrontation with Grendel’s mother, and his fight against the dragon. However, the film also introduces new elements that connect these events in interesting ways; those deeply familiar with the poem might find some of these changes jarring. If you appreciate action-adventure films like "Conan" and don't mind the animation or alterations to the source material, this film is likely enjoyable. It manages to be both entertaining and thought-provoking. I’d suggest pairing it with the 2005 live-action version, “Beowulf & Grendel,” which was filmed in Iceland’s stark landscapes. Beyond its visual appeal, the movie boasts a superb epic score by Alan Silvestri, highlighted by tracks like "What We Need Is A Hero” and the two versions of "A Hero Comes Home," with vocals from Robin Wright-Penn and Idina Menzel respectively. The film suggests that legends often distort reality, embellishing events over time. While some critics argue that Beowulf isn't a traditional hero, he’s undeniably heroic despite his flaws. He fearlessly faces the massive and grotesque Grendel completely naked and ultimately triumphs. He then rules a Nordic kingdom for decades. What more could define heroism? Yes, he exaggerates his accomplishments and is susceptible to female allure—but that’s hardly surprising. A key takeaway is that new leaders often repeat the mistakes of those who came before them; therefore, caution is essential. The film also explores themes such as: The consequences of past actions impacting future generations; even heroes possess significant flaws; confronting one's past regrets to avoid a life consumed by guilt and despair; the allure of power, wealth, and fame at any cost; the importance of forgiveness and expressing remorse; and the transformative nature of love. The film prompts reflection on why the dragon appears as a man with golden skin—perhaps representing a blend of noble and malevolent lineage, or perhaps symbolizing his dual nature: a spiritual side and a dark side. Some have pointed out that Beowulf isn't portrayed as a Christ-figure, which is inaccurate. (***SPOILERS FOLLOW***) Although he laments the absence of heroes in the new Christian era and speaks of "weeping martyrs," he ultimately embodies a Christ-like sacrifice by defeating the dragon and saving his people. Considering that, according to the Bible, all things were created through Christ, including Lucifer—a “son of God”—it’s fitting that the golden man in the film is revealed as Beowulf's son and a terrifying dragon. All human representations of Christ are flawed because humanity itself is imperfect, even for "heroes" like Beowulf, which underscores one of the film’s central messages. Therefore, his statement about “weeping martyrs” stems from his own failings. He then rises from the ashes to slay the dragon and sacrifice himself. Before doing so, he professes his love for his wife and requests her forgiveness for past errors. One scene particularly resonated with me: Years into his reign, Beowulf confronts a defeated Frisian warrior who mocks him along the coast. Beowulf orders his men to step back, discards his sword, and challenges the warrior to kill him. Disarmed, he shouts repeatedly, "KILL ME! DO IT! KILL ME!" Why this display? Is he invincible, without fear of death? No; the ending demonstrates his mortality. He’s so burdened by guilt and shame that he seems indifferent to whether he lives or dies—a stark reflection of reality. The film runs for 1 hour and 55 minutes. GRADE: B+

Source on TMDB