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The Northman is passion. Eggers is known for pairing detailed research with imposing atmospheres, and this is no exception. Its revenge narrative isn't unique, but the dedicated dialogue and cultural accuracies are illuminating. Plus, there are themes about the cycle of violence and burden of destiny. All together, the writing injects a familiar trope with comprehensive meaning, transforming it into an exhilarating journey. Furthermore, the acting meets this rigid material. Skarsgard breaks his anger with wounded and tender undertones. Meanwhile, Taylor-Joy is defiant, Kidman is layered and Bang is complex. Overall, The Northman provides emotional intricacies that will enthrall audiences.
Technically, The Northman is masterful. First, the direction creates a brutal tone, meticulous environment and artistic vision. Next, the cinematography uses immersive extended takes, emphatic symmetry and impactful surrealism. The editing is restrained, yet explosive during key points. The sound is dense, abstract and atmospheric. The music is authentic, ambient and powerful. Additionally, the production thoroughly establishes the foreign world and its savage realities. Lastly, the effects are elaborate and multifaceted, yet always supportive. They offer visceral punctuations but never distract. Thus, The Northman is a symphony of craft and commitment. Undoubtedly, this is a must-see.
Writing: 10/10
Direction: 10/10
Cinematography: 9/10
Acting: 10/10
Editing: 9/10
Sound: 9/10
Score/Soundtrack: 10/10
Production Design: 10/10
Casting: 9/10
Effects: 10/10
Overall Score: 9.6/10
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The Northman offers a look into the dreary, mystical, savage and absolutely brutal time of Viking times. Based around revenge, which is found in about every 2-3 movies, but adds so much over the initial concept that it becomes something different and something really good.
Alexander Skarsgard towers over almost everyone, shows no remorse and screams throughout the whole runtime, which is just marvelous. Anya Taylor-Joy brings innocence combined with cunning to an overall great performance, while on the other spectrum we have Nicole Kidman showing no attachment and just finding a way to survive. Everyone did splendidly here.
Robert Eggers is growing steadily with every entry, coming to his own style and perfecting it with each one, his movies are definitely not for everyone, but for those who like his last 2, this one offers the same style but on a grander scale. At the end of the day, The Northman is his first foray into the big budget movie scene and from what was shown, he used about every single penny into this one.
We should not kid ourselves, The Northman will not make much money, given the concept, given the misleading trailer and that Doctor Strange comes out in a few days (mostly the last one). Marketing should be done by everyone and if you are smaller, it should be even one of the most mandatory things. For an example, those who have franchises like Marvel, DC, Lord of the Rings, Star Wars and way too many to say, dump ludicrous money into their marketing campaign, they know people would go watch them either way, but they still invest heavily into that specific aspect. The trailer hyped it up being a massive action flick with blood and gore, and while the blood and gore is definitely there, it is more of a surreal look into those times and not something suited for the average movie goer.
The Northman is something to watch on the biggest screen possible with big speakers, so you can be transported to land of gory savagery, heart thumping drums, constant screaming and just plain old fun.
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4/5
After witnessing his father’s (Hawke) murder, young Amleth (Skarsgård) vows to avenge his father, save his mother, and kill his uncle, the mastermind behind the assassination. This singular focus keeps him alive through a treacherous adolescence until the day he can exact his vengeance.
The Northman is an unrelentingly brutal descent into one man’s unquenchable thirst for revenge. An unapologetic and unflinching orgy of violence and rage that is visceral, emotional, and often disquieting. Robert Eggers is no stranger to making his audiences uncomfortable with his unconventional methods of storytelling and The Northman is no exception. And while the film tells a traditional story, it does so in a gritty and unique way that challenges convention in a way that may alienate some viewers.
From a technical and visual standpoint, the film is a marvel. The Northman is consistent with Eggers’ previous works and showcases his singular vision and style while presenting a narrative that is more easily accessible than both The Witch (which I liked) and The Lighthouse (which I did not like). Long tracking shots showcase both the director’s eye for symmetry and the talent of the actors populating its world. There is no denying Eggers’ craftsmanship and his ability to broaden his horizons and work with a much larger budget foretell greatness in his future.
Alexander Skarsgård anchors this film and is absolutely incredible in the role of Amleth. He has been very good consistently in his television roles, but his performance in The Northman could easily catapult him to film stardom (something his role as Tarzan failed to do). Anya Taylor Joy, Willem Dafoe, Ethan Hawke, Nicole Kidman, Claes Bang, and Bjork credibly portray characters in this harsh early Icelandic world and their performances feature a unique intensity that matches the bleak tone of the film.
The Northman is an aesthetic and visual achievement, a brutal morality tale, and an impressive execution of a director’s clear vision. It is a spectacle that deserves to be seen on the big screen. Its depictions of violence and its sometimes non-traditional approach to storytelling may render it unapproachable to some, but this is an incredible piece of cinema that hearkens back to the classic period epics of the past. I fully expected to hate this movie, mock Eggers apologists, and declare The Northman self-important and pretentious drivel. I was gladly proven wrong and now I cannot wait to see it again.
Hot take: I can’t help but wonder what this movie would have looked like in the hands of one of my favorite directors, like Ridley Scott. Certainly it would have been different and less gritty, but likely much worse.
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