oliviaczar

There's a lot of screaming.

"The Northman" presents a modern take on the timeless saga, resembling a contemporary interpretation of Hamlet. With meticulous set design and striking costumes, the film creates a visually immersive experience, though the fight choreography is less than seamless.

It weaves a tale rich in love, magic (I think), betrayal, violence, vengeance, more betrayal, romance, mythology, and tragedy, with the actors delivering their lines with the eloquence of poetry on stage (it's not an exaggeration, sometimes they rhyme when they speak).

Alexander Skarsgård delivers a sincere and passionate portrayal of the revenge-driven Prince Amleth, while Gustav Lindh breathes life into his character Prince Thorir despite having so little to work with. A subtle plot twist adds intrigue midway through, though it doesn't significantly alter the course of the story.

Overall, "The Northman" offers an enjoyable cinematic journey, particularly when approached with the mindset of experiencing a grand theatrical epic. Perhaps if Fjölnir and his new family had more depth, it would be more of a dilemma for Amleth to exact his revenge; but they were either bland or stereotypically bad. Would probably not revisit this anytime soon, but I'm glad I watched it anyway.

As a viewer who stumbled upon this film on Netflix, I approached it with moderate expectations. The initial half-hour sets a promising tone with its fast-paced and engaging narrative, but unfortunately, the momentum gradually dissipates as the story progresses.

Visually, the film offers a refreshing departure from the typical Malaysian horror fare, with its higher production quality and occasional creative CGI. However, there are moments when the CGI feels overly indulgent, detracting from the overall experience.

The Netflix-like vibe, reminiscent of popular series such as Stranger Things, adds a contemporary appeal, and the characters are generally well-crafted, with understandable motives. Special mention goes to the actor who portrayed the intentionally annoying character convincingly.

Despite these strengths, the film ultimately falls short due to its lackluster ending. It left me with a sense of dissatisfaction, failing to deliver a resolution that matches the promising setup.