Movielogr
Valhalla Rising (2009)
Directed by Nicolas Winding Refn
Twitter Facebook Google+Most recently watched by sensoria
Overview
Scandinavia, 1,000 AD. For years, One Eye, a mute warrior of supernatural strength, has been held prisoner by the Norse chieftain Barde. Aided by Are, a boy slave, One Eye slays his captor and together he and Are escape, beginning a journey into the heart of darkness. On their flight, One Eye and Are board a Viking vessel, but the ship is soon engulfed by an endless fog that clears only as the crew sights an unknown land. As the new world reveals its secrets and the Vikings confront their terrible and bloody fate, One Eye discovers his true self.
Rated NR | Length 93 minutes
Actors
Mads Mikkelsen | Gary Lewis | Jamie Sives | Ewan Stewart | Alexander Morton | Callum Mitchell | Andrew Flanagan | Douglas Russell | Maarten Stevenson | Gordon Brown | Gary McCormack | Robert Harrison | Mathew Zajac | Stewart Porter | James Ramsey | Rony Bridges | P.B. McBeath
Viewing History (seen 1 time)
| Date Viewed | Device | Format | Source | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12/05/2010 | TV | Streaming | Video on Demand | 3.5 stars |
| (Average) 3.5 stars |
Viewing Notes
I wanted to love Valhalla Rising. Really, I did. And I almost made it through with un-adulterated love for it. Until the shitty CGI blood showed up in the third act and COMPLETELY took me out of the movie.
Some movies can get away with CGI blood (The Expendables, Centurion), but in a movie so grounded in reality like Valhalla Rising, when the cartoon blood sprayed across the screen (after some amazing practical effects early on), I stopped caring.
It’s amazing that such a little thing would bug me. But, the first 3/4 of the film is 100% real and grounded. The gore, the environment all screamed reality to me. But, when the cartoony blood shows up, it’s jarring.
Not all is lost, Valhalla Rising still has some things to like about it.
Mads Mikkelsen is awesome as “One Eye.” He’s perfectly cast and does a great job with the character.
This is a slower moving, semi cerebral film, I admire the ambition.
The cinematography is pretty breathtaking.
I really wish corners weren’t cut to get this film out. If the CGI blood were removed, I’d give the film a second chance. However, as the film stands now, I’ll never re-watch this nor enthusiastically recommend.
No comments yet. Log in and be the first!