ViewGuide

Created May 08, 2011 01:40AM PST • Edited Mar 11, 2024 06:54PM PST

1. Quality

2. Summary

   OK 2.5

   Slasher movies have nothing on this swordplay spectacular. Heads and arms are so much meat for the blade, lopped off right and left, as a group of Roman soldiers battles back from behind enemy lines.

   So what’s to recommend it? A visually rich portrayal of the Roman army in early Britannia, that’s what. Sure it’s legend as much as history, yet the Roman details are presented with first class production values. They feel right. Slumming history buffs and war movie fans won’t find it a wasted viewing experience.

   How does 2010’s Centurion compare with the other recent movie about the Roman Ninth Legion, 2011’s Eagle of the Ninth? Have to view this year’s model and decide.

4. Acting

   Good 3.0

   Dominic West demonstrates real charisma as an earthy Roman general. Why isn’t he a bigger star?

   Michael Fassbender carries himself well as a leading man, suggesting he’s got bigger movies in his future.

5. Male Stars Very Good 3.5

6. Female Stars Very Good 3.5

7. Female Costars OK 2.5

8. Male Costars OK 2.5

10. Film

    OK 2.5

    Writer-director Neil Marshall credits Walter Hill for his inspiration, fitting since Marshall’s career has largely been in horror prior to this Hill-like martial bloodfest.

11. Direction Good 3.0

12. Play Barely OK 2.0

13. Music OK 2.5

14. Visuals Great 4.0

    The just-right visuals are often stunning, especially the austerely beautiful Scottish Highlands in the Cairngorms. Click to see.

15. Content

16. Edge

    Risqué 2.5

    More blood letting than an abattoir. Keep in mind that Iron Age battle is pre-Geneva convention by almost two millennia. The movie gives us two cruel peoples – pagans both – savaging each other in Hollywood fashion.

17. Sex Innocent 1.0

18. Violence Savage 4.5

19. Rudeness Salty 2.0

21. Reality

    Glib 2.0

    The huge production staff included a prosthetic technician, six polyurethane modelers, three dozen stunt performers, not to mention a crew of stunt doubles, and a dozen horse riders, masters and other equerries. We’re talking production values!

22. Circumstantial Surreal 2.3

23. Biological Glib 2.0

24. Physical Glib 1.6