There were definitely some things that The 13th Warrior possesses that I really enjoyed. On the other hand, there was something about it that just didn't impress me much. First of all, McTiernan had some pretty clever ideas with this movie. Mainly the way he sort of solved the language problem that movies have. In a lot of movies everyone is speaking english in a clearly non-english speaking region and it's just a turn off. In others, there is no english and you have to read subtitles if you don't speak the language and may miss something on screen. In 13th Warrior it starts w/ subtitles and then as Bandera learns more of the Viking language it starts being heard in english (yes i see the flaw here that his character probably doesn't speak english either, but still). Other than that though, the movie did contain some pretty good action and a story that was at least somewhat interesting. On the other hand Banderas brought a pretty weak performance, which i felt was sort of canned. Also, the hero roles were very hollywood. The Vikings in particular began the story as ruthless and cold. By the end of this movie they were the type of guys you would want to go out for drinks with. Over-all this movie wasn't bad, but just when it begins to rope you in, it starts to decline in quality. Good for a watch-once and disposal.
so shitty. although i imagine it's slightly more accurate to beowulf than the more recent one. i think people need to just stop trying to make beowulf into a movie, IT DOESNT WORK.
Lo, there do I see my father. 'Lo, there do I see My mother, and my sisters, and my brothers Lo, there do I see The line of my people Back to the beginning 'Lo, they do call to me. They bid me take my place among them in the halls of Valhalla Where the brave May live FOREVER.
I could watch this movie all day. Based off the book, The Eaters of the Dead (Michael Criton). Movie could have been better, but I like how the movie uses a lot of non-verbal communication. I aslso get a kick at how Antonio is more the story teller and less the hero. He keeps getting his peg knocked down by the vikings who keep showing him how little he knows. A brave movie for him to do. I wish the narration carried through the whole movie rather than just the beginning, because it would have explained more of the clash of cultures.
I thought this movie stunk. I was expecting more from Antonio Banderas, and although some of the action was cool, the overall storyline was weak, as was the direction.
This wasn't just an adventure type battle movie. It showed life of a polite, gentleman-like man who pretty much had to adapt to new life, new culture, new language and to still manage to make friends with those who were way different to him. On top of that he also had to get used to being a warrior and to protect an innocent village from an onslaught of savage enemies.
All in all I enjoyed the movie, but some parts dragged on a bit and some of the fighting was hard to see because it was happening in the dark.
Only watched the film because I was reading the book "Eaters of the Dead". Strange accents and dodgy acting abound, the film did not do the book justice, and the finer details of the story were watered down by Michael Crichton to make the film more accessible to a younger audience.
Fantastic film! I absolutely loved it. It was an original take on Beowulf. All the characters were well developed and the story line flowed well, not a dull moment. Great battle scenes which rate high on my must-have list. I highly recommend this one!!
Sarcasm alert! - Antonio Banderas is a masterful actor! I'm not really sure this ever needed to be made, but I am sure that I shouldn't have watched it.
The 13th Warrior is a long, loud, dirt-caked, sweat-soaked, gets-medieval-on-your-ass, muddy, bloody, violent, and then more-violent sword 'n' shield-er about an Arab poet-turned-ambassador (Antonio Banderas) who is volunteered to join a band of no-nonsense Norsemen to fight a "mysterious enemy" to the north.
It's true that there isn't a whole lot to The 13th Warrior other than the carnage of the battle scenes. And it's true that we're given little insight into the characters and their motivations. But the film still succeeds.
In addition to Banderas and the quality of the action sequences, the excellent costumes, sets and locations also contribute to the experience.
This isn't a great film by any stretch, but it's exciting to watch and it works as long as you aren't expecting something other than what it is.
So enjoy it for what it is - an action/adventure picture filled with violent, bloody battles and larger-than-life heroic deeds. Think Conan the Barbarian crossed with Braveheart. There's more than a little of both to be found here - great deeds by great men in a forgotten era.
One of the best fantasy films ever, and among the few films that I can say I think was better than the book! A neat adaptation of the Beowulf story from the perspective of a foreigner who gets caught up in the affairs of the Northern band of warriors.
An interesting and exciting historical sword adventure. An entertaining enough film worth checking out although the way Banderas learns the language of his comrades takes some suspension of disbelief.
Unlikely pairing of Beowulf and Ahmed bin Faden in 10th century northern Europe, loosely based on bin Faden's real-life travelogue and a Michael Crichton story.
love this movie, Antonio Banderas is awesome playing Arab, love the voice of Vladimir Kulich. Antonio is recruited to be the 13th warrior to fight the fire serpents.
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