hlgirl Reviews

The 13th Warrior (1999)

Too compressed, but wonderfully Norse.

[7/10 · 26 September 2004]

The movie's main fault is, perhaps, that it's not as good as it could be. However, it's not actually a bad movie.

Based on Michael Crichton's novel adaption of the Beowulf legend, it certainly suffers from a relatively short running time of 100 minutes - it tries to work in the political subplots, plus some lengthy journeying/cultural acclimation sections at the beginning that just feel rushed.

Where it most succeeds is the atmosphere. From the time the 13 warriors reach the North, the film becomes steeped in the Norse worldview. Fatalism and superstition abound - things that could be explained rationally in the light of day become sinister, mystical portents in the dense, rapidly-falling fog. This feel is aided by a strong (mostly) Scandinavian cast, excellent sets and good costuming.

Unfortunately, Crichton's clever premise -- that this might be the way Beowulf's story really happened, before time and the endless re-tellings spun it into legend -- is mostly lost, and I think a lot of people thought the script-writers just roughly copied "Beowulf" because they couldn't come up with their own story.

There is a good movie hiding in here, but as it stands it's only a decent sword flick, though it provides a good Nordic fix, if you find yourself needing one. (Or am I the only one who has that problem?)

Children of Dune (2003)

Lovely story, beautiful people - a solid showing.

[19 March 2003]

While not as good as the original "Dune" mini-series, "Children of Dune" is still enthralling, and beautifully shot as well. It's main flaw is too many characters/subplot and too little time - a lot of complex details get glossed over and Susan Sarandon is completely wasted as a one-note villainess.

The main cast all turn in very good performances, particularly Alec Newman and James McAvoy. Julie Cox (Irulan) probably has the finest performance of the women, with plenty of strong, subtle touches. While some of the finer nuances of the storyline do get lost in the translation to the screen, it's still quite a compelling one, and the soundtrack aids quite amazingly, never getting repetitive, and often quite haunting.

Overall, a great way to spend three nights, and I'm sure I'll watch it again.

A Soldier's Sweetheart (1998 TV Movie)

truth, fiction - who cares when the story is this good?

[7/10 · 19 February 2002]

I think this is the first movie adaptation of a literary work that so closely and successfully follows its source material in tone and language. Vietnam veteran and author Tim O'Brien's short story occupies that shady ground between truths weirder than fiction and urban legend - and whether it's absolutely true or not really doesn't matter.

The film itself is a simple piece of atmosphere and sketches of character and psyche, with quiet, almost dream-like contrasts of naivete and brutality that drifts around the borders of the medical compound. During a lull in the action and off the front lines, the soldiers of the medical unit are only occasionally confronted with consequences of war, and never with the actuality of it, though it always hangs over their heads, personified by the Green Berets encamped nearby.

The "greenies" are rarely seen and almost never speak, coming and going from their violent encounters in the dark, like some strange mountain spirits. The mystery of the landscape, the war, and the promise of something _different_ seduce and ultimately swallow the "soldier's sweetheart."

The performances are spare and haunting, the premise intriguing, and the story fully captivating.

From Dusk Till Dawn (1996)

funny, ridiculous, splatter-fest fun

[28 January 1999]

Ok, so "From Dusk 'Till Dawn" is not for the weak-hearted, or stomached for that matter - but what do you expect when you combine the shocking, in-your-face, take-no-prisoners violent tendencies of Quentin Tarantino with Robert Rodriguez's gift for chaotic mayhem? George Clooney has never been badder or sexier (well, maybe in "Out of Sight"), and Tarantino's script provides some of the sharpest, harshest one-liners this side of hell ("welcome to slavery." "No thanks, I already had a wife.").

Be warned - this film is not to be taken seriously - it's an endless bloodbath punctuated by quirky characters and hysterical, if crude, dialogue. But it's so much fun, you can't help but enjoy the ride.

Highlander (1992–1998)

Praise for series

[5 November 1998]

Highlander:TS continues the best traditions of the first (and only) film in fantastic settings (Paris, Vancouver) with enthralling new characters. We see Immortality through the modern eyes of Richie, the mortal perspective from Tessa and Joe, and some of the heart-breaking burdens from Methos.

There are some minor canon differences from the film, but otherwise, the series explores and expands the full depths of the Highlander universe in tragic and comical moments. (Except of course for season six, which never happened).