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Pathfinder is entertaining, but lost in a forest of copycats MOVIE: Pathfinder DIRECTOR: Marcus Nispel CAST: Karl Urban, Russell Means |
| THE QUICK HIT: |
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Sure, it was overshadowed by 300, and looked more like a genre knock-off, but there is something engaging about this stylistic tale of a Viking boy is left behind to be raised by a native tribe in North America. GRADE: C+ |
| THE BIG PICTURE: |
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There isn't much else to the story ...
except that the Vikings return on a path of destruction and only one
warrior can stop them ... a Viking. One of the elements that makes
this a successful movie is the fact that Pathfinder does not
pretend to be anything other than an action adventure full of action,
violence and, well, adventure. The actors are strong, with Karl Urban creating a likeable, but menacing and very dangerous hero. Ultimately, he is conflicted, finding himself ashamed of his Viking heritage, but at the same time, his knack for fighting and destruction comes from his past. It is only through embracing what he most dislikes about himself that he is able to fight of the invading Vikings. There is one element that sets this well apart from 300 -- the comic book was based on the film, rather than vice versa. |
| TECHNICAL MUMBO JUMBO: |
| Reportedly a 25 million budget used to combined film with digital effects. Five years ago, the stylish approach was new and improved -- now, it's common place, but nevertheless, well done. |
| Review by G.S. |