Beowulf

:

Season 1
Metascore
65

Generally favorable reviews - based on 4 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 4
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 4
  3. Negative: 0 out of 4
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Critic Reviews

  1. The A.V. Club
    Reviewed by: Dan Caffrey
    Jan 22, 2016
    75
    Even the most cerebral series in the genre (which Beowulf certainly is not) should still appeal somewhat to viewers’ collective dragon brain, especially if it’s the kind of show that might have an actual dragon in its future. And after seeing those trolls bound across the sand less than 30 seconds in, Beowulf definitely seems like that kind of show.
  2. San Francisco Chronicle
    Reviewed by: David Wiegand
    Jan 19, 2016
    75
    The 13-episode series may be imitative, but it’s well plotted, acted and directed. Bew is solid in the title role as is Speleers who, despite his odd Ed Grimley haircut, is every bit the petty, envious and devious villain you’d want Beowulf to face.
  3. Variety
    Reviewed by: Maureen Ryan
    Jan 25, 2016
    60
    For fans of fantasy, this might be worth a try; there’s just enough of interest to make one wonder if Beowulf’s future alliances and aspirations will place it within striking distance of “Vikings,” on par with the enjoyable “Shannara Chronicles” and maybe ahead of BBC America’s very similar drama, “The Last Kingdom.”
  5. Los Angeles Times
    Reviewed by: Mary McNamara
    Jan 25, 2016
    50
    The fact remains that sword 'n' sheepskin is now a genre, and even if you are taking it back to its roots, you have to bring something new. Creators James Dormer, Tim Haines, and Katie Newman do not. Instead, they seem content to simply join the heroic hordes, relying on ever-improving CG and familiar modern tropes--the witty best friend, a couple of feisty women, court roiling with intrigue--to extend the narrative and cinematic limits of the original text.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
6.1

Generally favorable reviews- based on 30 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 30
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 30
  3. Negative: 6 out of 30
  1. Andy_Australia
    Jan 27, 2016
    10
    Great, entertaining show. Should not even be compared to game of thrones. This is a fun series with great action sequences and monsters. AlsoGreat, entertaining show. Should not even be compared to game of thrones. This is a fun series with great action sequences and monsters. Also awesome sound design and acting is very good. Much better than the Shannara Chronicles.… Full Review »
  2. JennetP
    Jan 24, 2016
    6
    This series should be called Game of Clones, not Beowulf. As a version of the Anglo-Saxon poem, it fails in too many ways to list, though I’mThis series should be called Game of Clones, not Beowulf. As a version of the Anglo-Saxon poem, it fails in too many ways to list, though I’m sure some reviewers will try. The question is whether it succeeds as a mash-up of GoT, Vikings, LOTR, and other medieval-inflected fantasy franchises, which, from the opening strains of the Djawadi-derived title music, it obviously wants to be.

    I don’t think there’s a clear answer. For me, watching the series is a little like drinking NA beer or eating “spaghetti” that’s really spiral-cut zucchini. It’s not really what I want, but I can psych myself into thinking it’s all right. So instead of Ned Stark, here’s Beowulf, another long-haired, scruffy, slightly-past-it warrior with a Northern accent, and he’s okay, if you don’t think too hard about the original. Instead of widow-turned-earl Lagertha, here’s widow-turned-earl Rheda, who’s no badass shield maiden, to be sure, but can still defend herself with violence. Okay, with the threat of violence. Pretty decent, right?

    My verdict? Well, I watched three episodes, even though it took me two tries to get through the first one. (I had to work on forgetting the poem Beowulf before I could resume watching.) And I wasn’t hate-watching the episodes. What kept me going were the monsters, not because they were all that great visually, but because they started to reveal some interesting relationships (past and present) with human beings. I also rather liked the the over-the-top costumes and sets. And I’m quite spellbound by Gísli Örn Garðarsson. So I’m game, I guess.    … Full Review »
  3. jamalt
    Mar 25, 2016
    6
    Some of the acting is laughable, but Kieran Bew does a solid performance as Beowulf. The same can be said of many of the plot lines andSome of the acting is laughable, but Kieran Bew does a solid performance as Beowulf. The same can be said of many of the plot lines and action scenes, but there is enough solid here to draw you back in for another episode. Sure, Last Kingdom has much better writing and acting but Beowulf is unique enough and has potential to hold its own.… Full Review »
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