Beowulf & Grendel
Beowulf & Grendel Image
Metascore
53 out of 100

Mixed or average reviews - based on 16 Critics What's this?

User Score
6.8 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 12 Ratings

Your Score
0 out of 10
Rate this:
  • Summary: Beowulf & Grendel is a medieval adventure, part legendary fable, part horror-story. Based on the seminal 9th century Anglo-Saxon poem, Beowulf, it tells the blood-soaked tale of a Norse warrior's battle against a great and murderous troll, Grendel, who has laid seige to the kingdom of Hrothgar, the much respected king of the Danes. (Equinoxe Films)… Expand

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 16
  3. Negative: 1 out of 16
  1. New York Daily News
    Reviewed by: Elizabeth Weitzman
    75
    Credit Icelandic director Sturla Gunnarsson for having an ambitious vision: He took a look at the eighth-century epic poem "Beowulf" and decided he could cut it down to size. And he has, for better and worse.
  2. The A.V. Club
    Reviewed by: Nathan Rabin
    58
    Removing many of the mythical elements of the tale is an intriguing idea that would undoubtedly have paid richer dividends if it didn't mean relying on a heavy who looks like a cross between a Neanderthal on steroids and stilts, and an unusually hirsute wrestler.
  3. Chicago Tribune
    Reviewed by: Michael Phillips
    50
    While cinema may be a visual medium foremost it's also an aural one, and the cacaphony of dialects sounds not so much "universal" or interestingly multicultural as simply all over the map.
  4. San Francisco Chronicle
    Reviewed by: Mick LaSalle
    25
    Imagine the worst "Deadwood" episode ever, and you'll get an idea of the general tone of Beowulf & Grendel, which is full of anachronistic cursing, tortured syntax, dark humor and lots of hairy, homely, filthy-looking people.

See all 16 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 5
  3. Negative: 0 out of 5
  1. MarkC.
    9
    The movie gave more to the story than the legend. It showed the human part of grendel and his tragic story and how beowulf is struggling with his problems. But the sex scenes were wierd.… Expand
  2. JHango
    8
    In my opinion this is a good movie! Don't have special effects but tell the legend in a good way. I Like this movie. Try it… Expand
  3. MissionDensity
    5
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Pros
    Cinematography, dramatic landscapes (filmed in Iceland)
    Crazy, timeless story
    Swords, armour, Vikings a plenty (a la 13th Warrior, LOTR)

    Cons
    Difficult to understand some of the accents and dialogue (Scottish, Irish, Scandinavian tongues all in the mix). Some of the tongue in cheek humour didn't seem quite appropriate.
    Ended with the thud
    Few action sequences (one expected more)    … Expand
  4. TonyR.
    4
    Slow moving, poor use of plot tools, poorly cast (with the exception of Grendel). The film's only saving grace is occasionally interesting cinematography. If you're looking for a slice of Viking life, you're better off withThe 13th Warrioir.… Expand

See all 5 User Reviews

Current Movie Releases

Full List »
  1. Star Trek Into Darkness
    Metascore: 72
  2. Iron Man 3
    Metascore: 62
  3. 42
    Metascore: 62
  4. Evil Dead (2013)
    Metascore: 57
  5. The Croods
    Metascore: 55
  6. The Great Gatsby
    Metascore: 54
  7. Oblivion
    Metascore: 54
  8. Pain & Gain
    Metascore: 43
  9. Olympus Has Fallen
    Metascore: 41
  10. G.I. Joe: Retaliation
    Metascore: 41
  11. The Host
    Metascore: 35
  12. Tyler Perry's Temptation
    Metascore: 27
  13. Scary Movie 5
    Metascore: 11
All Current Movies »