oral tradition, meet CG in 3D IMAX
Beowulf (2007)
not only had it been years since I read Beowulf, I was unaware that this production relied heavily on cg. so the experience was one of nagging familiarity, and nearly overwhelming alienation.
the aesthetic didn't strike enough of a balance for me. it was an achievement but the animation didn't have as much nuance. all photographed images are disorted in some way, but the state of the (computer generated) art in late 2007 doesn't look as good. it was unnerving to see what was essentially animated waxworks of familiar faces. Madame Tussaud would be proud.
narratively, the structure is well formed. interlocking, symmetrical situations are laid out -- there is an old king (Hrothgar), a young lady, and a threat. the king begat the threat, the Hero overcomes the threat, and the Hero becomes king. later, the Hero is an old king, there is a young lady, and the threat is the Hero's offspring. both kings die on the beach. apparently, only Angelina Jolie remains constant.