Visitors Review

eliza_gaskell (2012-05-26 12:54)

An interesting tale to tell

At first when you see the gore, the blood and hacked off limbs, youthink this is going to be another rip off of Ridly Scott's "Gladiator".Then you see the blue paint on the warrior's skin and their axewielding ways, and it's a rip off of "Braveheart". Well it's not.Centurion is about the legendary 9th legion, marched under orders, intothe heart of the Picts and was never heard of again. 6 soldiers surviveonly to be hunted down by a vengeful Etain and her warriors. I have enjoyed this movie because firstly the one big thing I noticedwas the cinematography and the use of the wide lens to capture thewilderness of the Scotish highland. Sam McCurdy vision is sublime. Nota soul to be seen for miles, the scenery looked beautiful yet at thesame time dangerous as you can see the actual cold shivers of theactors and the breath coming from their mouths. (That's were most of my6 of my star votes going to).Secondly, costume and set design, looked all authentic, even down tothe shoes. I found the Picts garment to be well suited to the climate,while the Roman's wore a much more sturdier clothing. Not overlypowering elaborately designed as in Gladiator, but that's thedifference between a Hollywood budget and the British Film industry.The props were cleverly done as was the set for Roman garrison and thevillage of the Picts. Thirdly, the actors: Olga Kurylenko as Etain was a much more realisticcharacter then the skinny, barely covered Kiera Knightly. Being mutemade the actor rely on other methods to convey her feelings; she standher own ground when it comes to fighting with the men. CenturionQuintus Dias played by Michael Fassbender,certainly looks the part of aRoman soldier. Strong, dependable, loyal and sturdy. His acting wasvery good and I can only put it down to the harsh conditions the actorswere in on location shooting. The supporting cast are good, wonderfulto see Liam Cunningham as the veteran fighter, full of wisdom.Lastly, although this production is flawed (i.e. actors riding saddles)and too much blood and gore, this is overall a very entertaining film.This is not an Hollywood epic nor a history lesson, it has a simpleplot and action...don't take it too seriously.

DetectiveBurst (2012-05-26 00:39)

Missed Opportunities

This movie could have been spectacular, but the script fell very short.There was obviously a lot of money there, but not much else. It wasbeautifully shot, with impressive costumes, makeup and some not-badacting. It's a pity this seemed like a really expensive low budget hackand slash film (if that makes any sense). The characters didn't reallydevelop, and to be blunt, there wasn't a lot of heart in them to beginwith. I never thought I was looking at real people. I could tell theactors were doing the best with what they had, but that never appearedto be too much. I'll also say if I saw one more helicopter shot or anymore sequences of them running, I was going to throw something.Script. Script. Script. Script.Please.

(2012-05-22 23:02)

Unbelievably bad

This film is horrendously bad. Apart from some bits of passable acting and some nice photography, it has no saving graces. Zero. Zip. None. And it's not just the hilarious historical inaccuracy. The script is a mess--first half seems to want to focus on the Romans' allegiance to their charismatic general, but he unfortunately bites the dust (in very anticlimatic fashion--they slip into the Pict camp but can't get him loose from a post??), and so we are left with a buddy survival movie...but there are so many new characters introduced so quickly and so little development of our understanding of who they are and then they quickly start getting offed too. Then there's not one but two impressively coiffed female warriors, neither of whom has a line in the film as far as I can recollect. The whole experience is just one predictable cliche after another. Even the special effects are mawkish, amateurish, third-rate, totally cartoonish--an embarrassment when put beside other films (think Mel Gibson, Spielberg, Ridley Scott) which convey something of the authenticity of actual battle. In short, an absolute horror, a groaner from start to finish and an embarrassment to all concerned. I think I paid $4 for my copy, and I've never felt more ripped off.

John (2012-05-22 13:29)

Interesting...

This is a full-on, no holds barred, showing of war and battle. It is very bloody and violent and in your face during the battle scenes. But there are moments of humanity and emotion interspersed throughout the film. The director has given you a tough choice... you don't really know who's side of the story you want to root for. They both have merit, and they both have faults. If you have a weak stomach, then pass on this one. Otherwise take the trip and enjoy the ride! As they say... it's not the destination, it's the journey.

Dennis C (2012-05-19 21:34)

Its better than THE EAGLE

both Michael Fassbender and Dominic West played in 300. Michael Fassbender had a larger role in 300 and was dam good. He showed that he is a very good action actor in this movie - you MUST rent this one.

Chris Bumbray (2012-05-19 08:17)

Bloody good R-Rated fun. A perfect film to kick back and watch with a couple of beers and buds!

imdb-10463 (2012-05-16 18:11)

Not great, or even good

Neil Marhall has brought us some fantastic movies. but this is not oneof them.The Scottish scenery is stunning, but there is little else to recommendthis aimless amble through an alternative history of the Romansstopping in Northern England. The formulae are well worn and but theplot never really seems to work out what it wants to be: Is it anaction movie, a buddy movie against the odds, a political thriller, ora forbidden romance? It's simultaneously all and none, everything istouched upon but nothing is developed. Ultimately it leaves the vieweras unsatisfied as its threads of plot.Sure, watch it on DVD, but don't expect much more than a bit of goreand a half-hearted effort at a decent movie. 4/10.

michaeljdocherty (2012-05-16 09:05)

Ancient Rome as victim .

Strange movie depicting a nation so remote their name was unknown to amighty empire .Invaders as heroes and natives as insurgents (soundfamiliar ? ) Here is a quote attributed to Calgacus the Pictish leader: Whenever I consider the origin of this war and the necessities of ourposition, I have a sure confidence that this day, and this union ofyours, will be the beginning of freedom to the whole of Britain. To allof us slavery is a thing unknown; there are no lands beyond us, andeven the sea is not safe, menaced as we are by a Roman fleet. And thusin war and battle, in which the brave find glory, even the coward willfind safety. Former contests, in which, with varying fortune, theRomans were resisted, still left in us a last hope of succour, inasmuchas being the most renowned nation of Britain, dwelling in the veryheart of the country, and out of sight of the shores of the conquered,we could keep even our eyes unpolluted by the contagion of slavery. Tous who dwell on the uttermost confines of the earth and of freedom,this remote sanctuary of Britain's glory has up to this time been adefence. Now, however, the furthest limits of Britain are thrown open,and the unknown always passes for the marvellous. But there are notribes beyond us, nothing indeed but waves and rocks, and the yet moreterrible Romans, from whose oppression escape is vainly sought byobedience and submission. Robbers of the world, having by theiruniversal plunder exhausted the land, they rifle the deep. If the enemybe rich, they are rapacious; if he be poor, they lust for dominion;neither the east nor the west has been able to satisfy them. Aloneamong men they covet with equal eagerness poverty and riches. Torobbery, slaughter, plunder, they give the lying name of empire; theymake a solitude and call it peace. Bad history makes bad movie

Matthew Turner (2012-05-16 03:06)

Enjoyably trashy swords-n-sandals action thriller, enlivened by strong performances from an excellent cast and a suitably gory approach to the fight scenes.

abisio (2012-05-15 14:37)

Better than GLADIATOR and 300

CENTURION is very different war movie. There are not really good guys;in fact everybody is really cruel; so even if told through the Roman'seyes, it is clearly stated that they are as barbaric as their enemies(the Britain PICTOS). It is a British movie about how the Britishbarbarians defeated the more sophisticated (and powerful) Roman Empire.Directed by Neil Marshall (the genius behind Dog Soldiers, The Descentand DOOMSDAY) do not expect standard fare action movie (even whenaction and gore are usually over the top). Acting is good and characterdevelopment is exactly what is needed (there are usually some darksides left to viewers imagination).In brief; good action and gore but a very very good movie.

Allan Hunter (2012-05-14 15:41)

Centurion is certainly atmospheric but the brutality and beheadings make it disappointingly monotonous.

Attila Ruboczki (2012-05-14 11:24)

There will be blood...

... In fact a lethal overdose of blood.How could I not love this movie? Gladiator was one of my all-timefavourites, I love Braveheart, and Apocalypto IS still my favourite, sohow can I not love this one? Shallow is the magic word. This movietries to live off its shock value. The gore is presented with gayabandon almost as if it were the main focus point of the film. Andmaybe it is, I don't know, didn't care to finish it.The frustrating thing is the setting has great potential. Romans arefighting some rebellious tribes in the far north of Britain. You gottalove rebels. Except this movie shows things from the Romans'perspective, which is a let-down, but the deal-breaking flaw is thatflying body parts rule the screen, except the heart is missing.

(2012-05-13 16:12)

A Worthy Watch

This review is from: Centurion [Blu-ray] (Blu-ray) I am a fan of Marshall's work, so my impressions may be clouded. And yup, I enjoyed the heck out of Doomsday as well. ;)The cinematography, first off, was outstanding. They did an aces job of getting the feel of the period, while showing off the beautiful landscape.Battle scenes, as expected, were full of gore and the red stuff. Like the sound of that? It should be enough to keep you entertained.Story. Well, it had its moments, but this is an action/chase/escape film, so you are going to see more of a Classical Hollywood Cinema story approach rather than something that will blow you away. I for one, thought it was adequate, even though there were some holes. Not a huge deal considering how well the other aspects balanced this out into a very watchable and entertaining film.Acting. Good, sometimes great. Loved the script! Michael Fassbender (300, Inglorious Basterds) was fantastic!4/5 here, 8.5/10 for me. I saw this last week on Comcast OnDemand. I pre-ordered the blu ray today.

Sonny (2012-05-13 02:40)

Well done Roman Genre film

This film was a pleasant surprise. All the aspects worked well together. The story, screenplay, direction, cinematography and actors blended effortlessly together giving the look and feel of the movie a new twist on Gladiator meets 300. $.5 stars, A-Sonny

pepki (2012-05-12 04:55)

history repeats itself

I have selected spoiler alert although I don't think there is much ofthe story mentioned here. Just in case, people have different levels ofwhat they wish to know about and to hear about. I leave mention of thequality of the story to the end so that the quality of the film isaddressed first.As a student of film and theater, and a teacher of history I reallyenjoyed this film. The cinematography was lovely, the colors, scenery,dramatic landscape and skin tones amazingly captured. One genuinelyfelt the bone chilling cold of the mountains, the slice of every bladethrough sinew and bone. I could have done without the CGI bloodsplatter. I thought that was a bit silly and distracting. The battlesfelt real and there was plenty of blood and gore for those who likereality. It takes the romance out of war to see the real effect ofslicing into a human body. Even if its a special effect. The acting was quite good and perhaps so because these are not bignames (in the US) but actually actors as well trained in their craft asthe Roman centurions in theirs. I appreciated that the filmmakers gavea nod to my intelligence and did not have to create stereotypicalcaricatures of their characters for the audience to get that both sideshave noble and wise people as well as really despicable folk driven bytheir passions whatever those may be. This was subtly done to the pointthat some reviewers on this site missed it altogether. I think that's acompliment to the director and writer. One of the hardest things to doin telling a story is to create both feelings of empathy and dislikefor the same character. It's very easy to hate a Caligula, but muchharder to feel compassion for someone like him. As for the story, what an interesting tale of the 9th legion and thePicts. A well trained military, the best the world has ever known evenby today's standards, following its orders to take over a country,clashes with a nation of people that on first impression seems barbaricand cruel but on closer inspection has its own rich culture, faith, andsense of honor and duty. One might see the parallels with today's US & European military in theMiddle East. This is to me, as a historian, the most interesting partof the tale since humans seem to continue to repeat their bloodyhistory without learning from it. Centurion is reminiscent of the filmBlack Hawk Down, only set a thousand years ago. Everything in this filmhas really happened and will continue to happen as long as people usebloodshed to gain power and for vengeance. To me the story's moral is that it is possible to be both on the goodside and the bad side at the same time, depending on the individual'ssense of honor and character, and the situation at hand.Spoiler:In my opinion the mini love story is a much wanted reward for the mostnoble knight of all and yet outcast. In real life many soldiersthroughout history found solace in the arms of their female occupiedenemies. Usually outcast women were the ones to take these invadersinto their arms because no man of their own country would have them forvarious reasons. All too frequently non-outcast women were severelypunished for taking the enemy into their beds. In France they shavedwomen's heads for sleeping with Germans, in Greece they might kill thegirl after they killed the German. But the outcast women were for themost part left alone. For that reason, I think this film has a greatending.

Chris Hewitt (St. Paul) (2012-05-11 15:06)

Centurion feels more like a video game than a movie. And it works fairly well on that sensory-overload level, except it's a video game you can't play.

kosmasp (2012-05-11 03:31)

History (re)written

So the movie is based on a historical fact apparently. If you know thatone little fact, that you kind of know where this is heading. Resassured I unfortunately had read about it, in a review. Why they botherspoiling major plot details in reviews like that, even if it is writtendown in history, I will never know. You can write that it is based onthat and that and therefor a re-telling of that story, withoutrevealing the outcome.Having said that, there might be a surprise or two for those who know(or think they do?) how this ends. There are quite a few good actorsworking on this movie and everyone gets his/her moment to shine. Stillit is Michael Fassbender who carries the movie. And while our mainfemale protagonist is not "saying" much, she is still a good/decentenough villain to pull us in as viewers.

nybred4 (2012-05-10 15:01)

Close to Gladiator?!!?

Put your books down children and pop some corn. I tend to get enoughenergy to write a review when I see on flagrant injustice. Ta daaaa.This movie is densely packed with eyeopeners and teeth grinders. Leadguy is a 9 1/2. Olga is a 9. The witch pulls the strings just rightwith lesser skills than those who surround her. The Picts left mewanting to know much, much more about a proud, tough psycho-culture. Iwould have loved another 10 minutes of a Pict bar-b-cue with theneighbors or of the neighbors. Maybe in Centurion 2. This flick is fun fun fun. Very close to Gladiator (for me) There, Isaid it.

Antonia Quirke (2012-05-09 19:43)

There is an air of soap-on-location here, a sense that everyone has just trudged from a lunch of pasta bake and a quick scan of the tabloids. You know all the best lines were being had off camera.

Son_Of_Hercules (2012-05-09 04:17)

E Pluribus WOWZA!!!!

When you're picking your battles, never pick to fight the Picts! Iwatched Centurion last night. It's Neil Marshall's take on the mysteryof the Roman 9th Legion, which mysteriously disappeared in Scotlandsometime around 117 A.D. Wow.!I'm not sure how historically accurate any of it is, but the movie is agreat time. It's bloody and action packed and never really slows downuntil literally the very last minute. The acting was better than usualin action movies. Dominic West as The Roman General Titus FlaviusVirilus was fantastic, he was just the kind of commander you'd want toserve under and I felt he out-Spartan'ed Gerard Jones from 300. MichaelFassbender was good as the thoughtful Centurion Quintus Dias andImogene Poot did a nice job as the "witch" Arianne. She put a nice spinon the character, making her more of an outcast than a menace. Thescenery is also amazing. I never knew Scotland was so beautiful or eventhat it has mountains.But the breakaway star of this movie, hands down, was Olga Kurylenko asEtain, the Pictish scout who hunts Romans. She is quite the Terminatorin this movie; she is so overwhelmingly powerful that she almost seemslike a force of nature. But her performance isn't all one note. Etainhas a good reason to feel and act the way she does. She and her familywere horribly brutalized by the Romans and now, as one character putit, "she has an empty whole in her soul that only Roman blood canfill." She does have a final showdown with Fassbender's character,Quintus Dias, and although I don't want to give anything away BUT whenQuintus eventually kills her she seems both furious at being killed andrelieved that she no longer has to feel the pain of her loss. Maybe I'mgetting a little hokey there, but I think she gave a great performance,especially with a character who is mute and can only convey herfeelings through her eyes and body language.