The Eagle (2011)

If you don't like this, we can't be friends.

The film creates a perfect balance between action and depth of basic needs, in the midst of an infertile atmosphere.

The best films of this genre always show a path and provide a takeaway for being a better person.

Not sure how, but this is easily one of the best movies all summer. Multiple levels of funny, never takes itself seriously, super colorful, and creative.

Marcus (Channing Tatum), a Roman discharged from the army due to injuries, enlists the aid of a Briton slave, Esca (Jamie Bell), to go into the Pictish wilderness north of Hadrian's Wall to apprehend the gold eagle standard that was lost when the ninth legion went missing twenty years earlier circa 120 AD. Marcus' motivations are to save his family's honor, but will Esca remain a faithful slave or slit Marcus' throat at the first opportunity? Donald Sutherland has a significant side role as Marcus' uncle. "The Eagle" (2011) is reminiscent of films like "Centurion" (2010), "Black Death" (2010) and "Black Robe" (1991). It lacks the greatness of the latter two, but it's almost on par with first one. As a matter of fact, "The Eagle" is the unofficial sequel to that film (more on this below). "Black Death" has deeper, more interesting themes while "Black Robe" is in a league of its own as far as gritty realism goes.Where "The Eagle" shines is the authentic Scottish locations, the beautiful cinematography, and the mysteriousness of going into the unknown, as well as the depictions of the various warrior tribes and the quality score. Unfortunately, the story is only moderately compelling and the relationship between Marcus and Esca isn't that interesting. Furthermore, there are no women, except meaningless side characters in the distance; the other three films noted above, as well as "King Arthur," didn't make this mistake.Also, there is a roll-your-eyes sequence in the last act where some tribesmen (and a boy) on foot are able to keep up with two guys on horses over the course of a couple days. Why sure! Still, if you like any of the other four movies noted above "The Eagle" is a must.Be sure to catch the aforementioned "Centurion" because it chronicles the fate of the ninth legion and Marcus' father two decades before the events of "The Eagle" take place (even though it's just cinematic conjecture, of course). Although "The Eagle" has a way better first act and more gritty realism, "Centurion" is more conventionally entertaining, contains important female characters and has a better final act. The film runs 114 minutes.GRADE: B

This was pretty good, a swords & sandals epic which is slightly different than others I've seen, using the story of the famed lost ninth legion and showing a piece of Scottish History I'd never even contemplated in that the early (early) Highlanders are portrayed as living like indigenous north American tribes. Not sure if this is accurate but the "Seal people" wear cool blue makeup (early Braveheart?) and are fierce fighters. Anyways.Channing Tatum is decent enough as Roman centurion Marcus -I've definitely seen him do worse in a couple romances and he's involved in some good battle scenes early on. I liked the story arc with British slave 'Esca'(Jamie Bell) and how the slave becomes the master as they forge over Hadrian's Wall on their mission to find "The Eagle" which went missing 20 years earlier. Donald Sutherlands whimsical character seemed out of place, more like he was just portraying who he felt like, without direction, and while as a whole I did enjoy this, the final scene, in the last 30 seconds of the movie was just terrible, as Marcus and Esca suddenly get all buddy-buddy comedic, it felt tagged on and ridiculous. 8/9/14

I wasn't expecting much from this movie, but there aren't many movies being made about the Romans, and I was in the mood. It didn't start out well, with poor direction, acting and dialogue, to the extent where it had the feel of a TV movie, but if you stick with it that soon gives way to a watchable flick.They obviously pent a lot on sets and the fight scenes, and the music was pretty good, but the last movie I saw was a great one, with top-notch everything – the kind that leaves you changed for the next day, with an invigorated feeling and lust for life until you gradually drift back to reality...so I was trying not to judge this one too unfairly. There is a good battle scene early on (the second one) that shows the tactical brilliance of the Romans and the animal fierceness of the Britons. Tatum did a fair job; I haven't seen him in anything else yet but I feel like he could do some decent acting in the hands of the right director.Without reading up on it, I felt that their imagining of the early tribes of northern Britain seemed credible/authentic/plausible enough; less suspension of reality was required here than in a lot of movies. As the slave pointed out, the original Romans had come to kill; the "savages" were only trying to defend themselves and their lands, and any sense on the part of the Romans of the need for revenge was groundless. But Aquila was only seeking to restore his family's honor, so you could still root for him somewhat even though he was basically on the side of evil.Interestingly, they had some Scottish flavor in some of the music, even in the scenes about the Romans.There was one point when they were fleeing in the river where you could see the water splash up on the camera lens, but there was some nice on-location scenery (if not the right location).I watched both the regular and unrated versions, and the only difference is a few frames of the most graphic violence. Couldn't be more than a second all together.When it was all over it seemed like only about an hour's worth of stuff just took place, and it was mainly just these two characters -- though with not enough time to really get to know them and their relationship, whereas in the same length movie that can usually be accomplished. Almost more like a buddy flick, or a road film.I think I'm being generous with a 6. I probably wouldn't recommend it if you're not into that kind of thing. But overall, no regrets.Denis O'Hare was good in The Proposal, but I wasn't wild about him in this. Jamie Bell didn't leave much of an impression either. So no standout performances, no standout anything – I want to give it 5 1/2 stars but I'll round it up for the battle scenes, sets and costumes.The alternate ending was stupid.

There was nothing much wrong with this movie. It was well filmed and the acting was capable. I found the odd American accent distracting though. I think Tatum Channing and Donald Sutherland might have done well to use a Brit accent, just for the sake of accent conformity. Mark Strong was good as the highlander too. There was good suspense throughout and an ominous mood of impending doom at the right time. Donald Sutherland's nice false teeth should have been less perfect too for the sake of credibility. But it was a well made movie showing Britain as it was- an invaded place full of indigenous Celts. The photography of the Scottish highlands was nicely incorporated into this gripping swashbuckling tale that did not over do it. I liked the authentic looking highland village and the scene of the killing ground. The appearance of the seal people was spooky and ominous and very well rendered. It was swashbuckling yet very believable. There were no holes except fort the anachronism of the false teeth and the incongruous American accents. A good movie worth watching.