Rating: 
Summary: Cut short
Review: Hollywood takes another chop at making a Viking epic. Will the 13th Warrior be the "Braveheart" of Viking epics? The 13th Warrior chronicles the journey of an outcast Moor (Antonio Banderas) who becomes involved in a mission to save a Viking village from the onslaughts of some bloody thirsty cannibals. Originally entitled "Eaters of the Dead" and adapted from the Michael Crichton novel, this film has taken one and a half years to get to our local multiplex. Rumors of a $150 million plus budget and numerous scenes being reshot, I was beginning to wonder if this film would ever surface. Director John McTiernan was extremely upset with the film and the studio pulling the plug pre-emptly. There are reports that the studio pulled the plug then asked the angered director to reshoot the ending and various fight scenes. Let's just say this film was a behind the scenes mess. What's so incredibly amazing is this film overcomes the plagued behind the scenes mess. The sweeping Viking mists, the longboat overcoming thirty foot waves, blood thirsty battle, and scenic highlands are just some of the mystique that have enchanted our minds on the views of Viking lore. What's really rich and never been done in Hollywood is the thought of an outsider entering this mystical world and letting us see it through his eyes. Banderas' Muslim outsider is kind, sensitive and passionate until he becomes embroiled in the honor of being a man of the North. He is among very few Hollywood heroes who are disturbed by the blood and gore associated with Viking civilization. But when he finds that the "unnamed" evil is only a man, his anger engulfs him and he begins to see a new vision of what man is. This is an epic in the greatest sense of the word. The only ever evident flaw in this film is the ending itself. Why is it so short? Why is the climax not on a major scale? I know the symbolism associated with Vikings dying in battle and why didn't they take that to next level? The ending is only about 3 minutes when we should have been in the 10-20 minute range. On a positive note, this is the first Hollywood venture I have ever seen that takes Vikings seriously and I have wanted to see something in that nature all my life. I just hope because of all its problems they don't stop making Viking films. Previous Viking films have been on less than 10 million dollar budgets and looked like men dueling in woolen overalls. Anybody out there remember "Lee Majors" in "The Vikings" or "Tim Robbins" in the funny "Erik the Viking"? Well these were about the only Viking staples until "The 13th Warrior". So go out and see this epic but when its done think what it would have been like if the final war scenes were 10 minutes longer. I hope Hollywood can hear me.
Rating:
Summary: Pretty damn cool movie
Review: I'm not a very big fan of medieval flicks, but at the behest of my friends I picked up this DVD and was pleasantly surprised. It's one of the best flicks of the genre I've seen since Braveheart. Antonio Banderas does a fantastic job as a poet turned warrior. In fact overall, this has to be one of the best cast films I've see in the last few years all the characters are well played. I thought the story was going to be a standard cookie-cutter plot for this type of movie, but the director did a great job of setting up suspense and putting in a few twists and turns. The DVD version looks and sounds fantastic, with audio effects positioned well. This works especially well during the fantastic battle sequences, with thundering horses galloping through the room with the clash of swords and the whooshes of arrows heard all around the listener. If you like medieval flicks, don't pass this one up. If you don't like them, then this could be a great place to start.
Rating: 
Summary: Action and fantasy all roled into one
Review: Maybe I am not seeing what the other critics are complaining about, but to me this is a very, very good movie. The story, acting, production values, location, music all make this a movie that should have gotten more respect than it has. Antonio Banderas was very good and convincing as the arab ambassador; the cast was great all-around too. The action is great and forthright, not hiding or sanitizing anything making the scenes that more thrilling and intense. The script was tight and always moving. All the way around, this is a darn good movie!
Rating:
Summary: Entertaining !
Review: Antonio Banderas is pretty convincing as AHMED Ibn FAHDLAN Ibn AL ABBAS Ibn AL RASHID Ibn HAMMAD. The props, the dialogs, the cinematography all intertwine with the plot to give it a boost beyond KUROSAWA's immortal SEVEN SAMURAI's. Banderas is shaded as a supporting character to the norse leader, Buliwyf who carries his role with the perfect attitude. Confusion might run if one wants to choose Ahmed or Buliwyf as the hero - Buliwyf portrays a true norse leader; whereas Ahmed is the 13th warrior with both brains and brawn.
Rating:
Summary: the best movie
Review: i like the movie, i did not have a chance of seeing it in the theater but,i rented this one, the truth is i don't lique most of his movies, but this one is a greate one, it has accion, adventure and it even has a little romance with out beeing over the top, all in all a greate movie.
Rating:
Summary: short but sweet
Review: an outcast searches for spiritual understanding in a strangeland and must conquer his fear of death and the unknown to find inner peace - dvd has a cool trailer
Rating: 
Summary: 13, An Unlucky Omen
Review: The premise of this film is partly based upon the actual observances of an Arab emissary to the Russian steppes and a rehash of Seven Samurai meets Beowulf. If this seems an odd mixture, even a clashing of styles, you would presume rightly. In the hands of a more competent director this film could have been an epic of medieval fantasy, but alas it falls far short of its aspirations (pretentions?). Much of the movie is cast in such a gloom that one needs night vision goggles to make out much of the action. But this could be forgiven if the characters were engaging personalities, unfortunately they are not. As for the acting, long hair and poor hygiene are not part of the principles of method acting, which is what sadly passes for character here. I must admit to a good chuckle (unintentional) when the Norsemen start talking in Irish accents. I have seen many of these actors in British productions and know that they are capable of infinitely better work. This film is such a disappointment. Please do not be swayed by the opinions (genuine I'm sure) of those who revel in the sword and sorcery genre. They have been through a rather dry spell and are just happy to see ANYTHING to satisfy their fix. This movie is a rental at best. Jamie McLeash
Rating:
Summary: Not for the faint of heart...
Review: If there are specific reasons for a people to create a religion that can actually help those that practice it survive, this may be one way of explaining it. Bravery. I thought that this was an incredible experience of a man's journey from one culture/religion into another. He learns to respect the differences he encounters, and even to practice them in order to survive his adventures. Yes there could have been more, more character development, etc, but what is here - is enough of a taste to truly enjoy this film and feel its impact. I think the norsemen capture the imagination and we learn as we watch them, as Antonio's character did. I love movies that say "imagine this..."
Rating:
Summary: lo there
Review: lo there do i see the line of my people in the halls....this has to be one of the coolest action flick of the year.my favorite scene was at the end when all the warriors including there injured leader recited there prayer
Rating:
Summary: A story that seems to be taped off, rather than finished.
Review: This movie was rather good. It has the camraderie of warriors, a love interest, a town in peril, and a bunch of Norse rowdies against insurmountable odds... However, the movie seemed to leave quit a few loose ends hanging out. For one, a love interest is introduced between Ibn, and a woman from the small village, but what happens beyond the interest is never revealed. Also, the son of the town's leader is introduced as an antagonist to the Norse group, but about halfway through the movie, he seems to just *disappear*... If small unfinished sub-plots don't bother you, this is a great action/drama flick, if you're one of those people who just has to have everything tied off nice and neat, be prepared for a little frustration...
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