unknown reason) and forced to compete in vicious fights to the death.
He soon escapes and joins a team of wandering fighters as they prepare to travel to Jerusalem.
Well that's it as far as the story goes I'm afraid because from that point onwards the film becomes an aimlessly wandering mess as the gang shore up on an unknown land and face an unknown foe while struggling to know who to trust. Wait a minute, I just made that sound good.
That's the trouble here, it should be good but the story goes nowhere through achingly long periods of complete silence. Mikkelsen himself does not utter a word throughout although the performance is still decent.
This movie was filmed in Scotland and has a mostly Scottish cast so maybe I just couldn't take a bunch of guys I'm more used to seeing in the likes of Taggart and River City (Scottish tv shows) seriously as mysterious warriors. A pity as I so wanted to like it.
It is beautifully shot, all the scenery looks great but being lucky enough to live in Scotland I have scenery every bit as striking five minutes walk from my house.
Ric's Rating: 39%
Saw a preview for this last week. Shame it's not as good as it looks.
ReplyDeleteHi Alex,
ReplyDeleteHope you're enjoying your 4th July !!
There are some good scenes and it's beautifully shot so you could give it a try and see what you think.
Interesting. I've heard pretty good things about this and I've got it on my own rental list but this has made me a little wary of it I must admit. I thought Refyn's style in BRONSON was great but the reservations you describe above towards VALHALLA could also describe my own towards that film in a lot of ways.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I felt pretty much the same way about Bronson but I had hight hopes for this. Pity.
ReplyDeletei am more concerned about the fact that you watch RIVER CITY!
ReplyDeleteI might have caught it once or twice Ed, priceless patter.
ReplyDeleteyou really are abnormally lucky to live in the green heaven of beautiful Scotland, Ricks ;)
ReplyDeleteThanks Dez, trouble is, to keep the lush green land it bloody rains all the time!
ReplyDelete