Historical drama set in AD 140 based on Rosemary Sutcliff's novel The Eagle of the Ninth (1954). After being discharged for injury in battle, a Roman officer (Channing Tatum) travels north with his slave (Jamie Bell) to the wilds of Scotland to seek the lost Roman eagle standard of his father's legion.
The film explores powerful themes of honour and freedom. It’s incredibly violent and bloody for a “12”, and the barbarian “seal people” are terrifying. One criticism is that after an impressive lack of cliché the film’s ending somehow doesn’t ring true, hinting at “bromance” action-hero tropes. The DVD has an alternative ending included as a bonus element that initially seemed far more satisfying as it allows for character development and a more multifaceted moral outlook. On reflection, I was unsure whether enough time has passed for that perspective to have shifted. So either way, the ending isn't quite right.
No comments:
Post a Comment