Outlander

Outlander 2008
Director: Howard McCain
Writers: Dirk Blackman and Howard McCain
Starring Jim Caviezel, John Hurt, Ron Perlman, Sophia Myles, Jack Huston, Cliff Saunders, Patrick Stevenson, Aidan Devine and Bailey Maughan

This was a film I had been anticipating to see for quite some time, as the concept really intrigued me and really sounded like it could make an entertaining movie. I must say, it was definitely worth it. It is a film that effortlessly combines Conan the Barbarian with Predator. The film combines epic fantasy with a hard edged SF slant and it really makes for a rousing action film. The film has a great cast with a great story that really starts off with a bang and doesn't let go till the explosive finale. The film is also quite bloody and with a film like this the more blood that is sprayed around the better.This also has the feel of Beowulf with a SF slant. Caviezel makes a fine tragic hero who is trying to redeem himself by hunting down the creature that destroyed his family. The cinematography and effects in the film are beautiful and really push the envelope and really makes the film work. This is a original and exciting SF action film that we really need to see more of in this day and age of re imaginings and remakes.
The plot basics are this, it is 709 B.C., the Iron Age and a spacecraft crash lands in the Viking kingdom of Herot, Norway. There is only one survivor, Kaanan (Caviezel) and the creature he had captured and was transporting the Moorwen has escaped and now he must hunt it down. He discover the time and era he has landed in and immerses himself in the culture and goes on the hunt. As he hunts he finds a Viking village utterly destroyed by the creature and is discovered by Wulfric (Huston) and he is captured and taken back to the King (Hurt) who believes that Kanaan is behind the carnage. They interrogate him and do not believe his story until they see the creature's handiwork and then force him to assist them with the hunt. Once they discover what is hunting their people, they cut the bonds of Kanaan and allow him to lead the hunt. The ferocity and cleverness of the Moorwen will test the mettle of everyone and it will take every fiber of their inner strength to survive this ordeal.
This was a fantastic action film. The direction of McCain is amazing. He really shoots with an amazing visual palette and it really shows on the screen. The use of the wild really shows and it makes for a beautiful film. The action sequences are beautifully realized. A prime example of this is the battle between the two warring clans, the fight is fast and brutal and it really shows. The script is quite good too. The characterization of Kanaan really carries the film and makes you really feel for his plight. The characterization of the King is quite good too and is really pulled off marvelously by Hurt. The cast is excellent. Caviezel gives a great performance as Kanaan, you really feel his sadness and melancholy about the plight he has been through. hurt does a great job as the King, he is really regal but quite tragic too. Perlman has a nice brief role as the warring chieftain against the king and reminds me quite a bit of Thor. Myles makes a great romantic interest as Freya and you really can see her chemistry with Caviezel. The SFX and effects are astounding, the carnage of the Moorwen is astounding and very believable. Its lair and all the blood it strewn is palatable and reminds me a lot of the film Grizzly. This is a film that uses a high octane level of action and it really pays off. If you love fantasy and films with he same level of action like Predator, I highly recommend this film.
This one gets 5 out of 5