Monday, April 9, 2012

Movie-ing Perceptions

I like what I like and I'm sure you do too, whats funny is when you are so sure you won't like something but you do anyway and vice versa.

I was so sure I was going to love Valhalla Rising with Mads Mikkelsen. Mads is an awesome actor-he was brilliant as Le Chiffre in Casino Royale and equally wonderful as Tristram in King Arthur (I liked it though I never had the impression anyone else did) and he was my favorite character Draco in the new Clash of the Titans.

Here's what I know going in- Valhalla Rising is about a strange somewhat supernatural Viking fighter named One-Eye (Odin perhaps?) I could also tell that somewhere along the tripped out journey of the movie the characters who think they are going to hell end up in North America.

I love this-I wish so bad someone could do Vikings and Indians right - (Cuz we all know Pathfinder did not) I read online that Valhalla Rising was weird and arty, I can deal with all that, I love a lot of foreign strange arty films that you have to think about etc etc.

SO...I thought by all rights, I would love Valhalla Rising. But no. It has to be one of the dullest, what the hell is going on and why should I care movies I have bothered to watch in years. I literally fell asleep-then I rewound to see if I missed something and...NO I didn't.

Right when I thought it might redeem itself at the end, it tanked...hard. Now reading the premise above I can imagine there might be some of you who think, "Oh that's sounds like a good premise, it can't be as bad as all that can it?"

Yes, it is that dull.

And now on the other end of the hammer, I really didn't expect much out of Wrath of the Titans. I find the lead actor Sam Worthington hardly qualifies as an actor, his acting is fencepost worthy. Avatar made me want to gag-but I also thought it was a stupid, unoriginal storyline, "Unobtainium"=Uncreative. With Terminator Salvation I almost bought his performance because he was supposed to be a damn robot! And Clash of the Titans? Let me just say now I hate reluctant hero's who are forced to react to everything instead of acting-its just a lame storytelling device in my arrogant opinion.

So I went into Wrath of the Titans without much in the way expectations and guess what? I liked it. It wasn't mind blowing, it wasn't the best film I've ever seen, but it was enjoyable for what it is. Granted, I still don't like his reluctant hero shtick - its still there and I didn't like the shaky camera to make me feel like I'm really there style that seems so prevalent these days but it is a fun movie. Predictable? Sure. But for a serious Sword  & Sorcery fan, it was a good movie.

I am sure I'll see it again eventually with my kids because that magic that thrill of fantasy is infectious. I look forward to their being excited over the cyclops and all the other (underutilized) monsters.

I had better add as an afterthought-just like the first, the supporting characters are where the humanity, characterization and fun are-some leads just cannot lead.

8 comments:

Tom Doolan said...

On Valhalla Rising...THANK YOU!!! OMG THANK YOU!!! That movie sucked complete ass. For art aesthetics, it had some redeeming qualities, but as a "Viking" movie...nuh uh. I'm so glad I'm not the only S&S/fantasy/historical fan who hated it.

Charles Gramlich said...

Sorry to hear that. OUch.

Paul R. McNamee said...

How disappointing.

Some 'lead' actors are odd. They seem to do very well if they have the right supporting players. But when they don't, ugh.

Adventuresfantastic said...

I hadn't heard of Valhalla Rising; thanks for the tip. The Titans movies I'm going to catch on DVD. With show prices what they are here, even for matinees, it's cheaper to just wait and buy the DVD.

Mike D. said...

I recently bought an issue of DIABOLIQUE form the Vincent Price article and there was an article in there on VALHALLA RISING...so it is now on my must see list. Can't wait...it sounds awesome.
David....tell me...is it better than IRONCLAD?

nephite blood spartan heart said...

Right on Tom!

I hear ya Charles.

Agreed Paul, sometimes the supporters carry it.

Let me mention
Keith, I didn't pay for it, work did, which is always nice.

Mikey, are you messing with me? I know you (online) and NO it is not better than IRONCLAD-stay away from Valhalla Rising stay away.

Mike D. said...

You caught me. Lol

nephite blood spartan heart said...

All right Mikey, you had me wondering for a sec there.