10,000 B.C.
Posted by MJ Twain on August 6, 2008
Go to Amazon.com for more information.
PG-13
Running Time: 1 hr, 49 min
Directed by: Roland Emmerich
Starring: Steven Strait, Camilla Belle
Warner Bros. Pictures, Legendary Pictures
(*NOTE* Some SPOILERS)
A simple tribe of prehistoric hunters finds its way of life threatened when attacked by “four-legged demons.” Homes are burned and people taken to lands unknown. The village’s best hunters take off in pursuit, becoming, as the narrator says, hunters no longer, but warriors.
D’Leh, the lead character played by Steven Strait, is determined to rescue Evolet, the love of his life, along with the other hunters who were taken from the tribe, and without whom the people will starve. Thrust into the unasked-for role of Hero, D’Leh leads an army of many tribes to liberate thousands of captives–now slaves.
Visually, this is a decent film. CG effects are well blended with the action, and the cast acted out their roles in an acceptable manner. That said, this movie left a lot to be desired. The plot is based on a tired storyline with predictable turns: Hero’s village is attacked; Hero must rescue people; Hero displays special ability or fits prophecy; Hero faces danger; Hero wins, with minimal losses.
One thing that annoyed me was that D’Leh seemed to care more about getting his girl back than anything else around him. He pulls it out in the end and even manages to care, but until that point, he is very one-dimensional.
Hollywood loves its beasties. The production team behind 10,000 B.C. is no exception, with massive prehistoric monstrosities, which was the most impressive part of the movie. Mastodons (“Mannak”), a saber-toothed tiger (“Spear Tooth”), and a herd of two-story carnivorous emu-like birds provide some action-oriented eye candy. Other than that, however, the entire movies comes off flat.
It’s not horrible, but it’s not great. If you have Netflix, go for it. Is it worth buying a copy? Not on my dime.
5 Bags (out of 10)
