Caution – Contains Spoilers
Centurion is the newest film by Neil Marshall (The Descent) and it delivers on his legacy of action and gore. The film is based on the true story of Roman soldiers in 117 AD, who were fighting a losing battle to expand the Roman Empire into Britain. The legendary Ninth Legion was sent into Scotland for the final strike and was never heard from again. Marshall researched this ancient story and embellished the missing details to create the story of Centurion, a loyal soldier who rode out with the Ninth only to be one of few survivors fighting to return home. What starts off as a huge war epic quickly becomes a survival story of men running for their lives against all odds. The film is well written and well executed to give audiences their money’s worth, though it may be a bit too violent for the vast mainstream.
Michael Fassbender (Inglourious Basterds) stars as Centurion Quintus Dias, a tough as nails loyal soldier to Rome. His father was a renowned gladiator, so you know this guy is a force to be reckoned with. He also can speak the language of the only enemies left in the area, the Picts. Centurion is taken captive during a Pict attack on a Roman frontier post. He is rescued by the Ninth Legion led by General Virilus (Dominic West of The Wire) and quickly gains Virilus’s respect. Centurion recognizes the unique bond Virilus has with his men and joins them on their mission to conquer the Pict leader Gorlacon. The 2,000-strong Legion is ambushed in a massive battle scene where Virilus is captured. Centurion leads the few survivors on a quest to rescue the general and return to the Roman frontier. The band of soldiers includes David Morrissey (Hilary & Jackie), JJ Field (K19: The Widowmaker), Noel Clarke (I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead), Riz Ahmed (Rage), and Liam Cunningham (Hunger).
The Picts are portrayed as a ruthless and cunning group that can outfight the stiff Roman army in the subzero temperatures of its region. The fiercest is the mute Etain, played by Olga Kurylenko (Quantum of Solace), a fierce tracker who kicks major ass and keeps the Roman soldiers running for the hills. Her performance is notable because she’s convincingly ferocious and fearless in a purely physical performance. In contrast, Imogen Poots (28 Weeks Later) plays a gentler, but equally resourceful Pictish woman who turns the tables on the survivors later in the film.
The film is well written and incorporates modern word choice without being distracting. The persistent voiceover avoids the trap of overuse and annoyance. Inherit parallels to modern events keep to storytelling and away from lecturing. No commentary or conclusions are forced beyond those of a single soldier, noting this is a “war without honor, without end.” The film also skillfully develops the characters of the surviving soldiers, introducing them to Centurion — as well as the audience — and giving them enough distinctions to be singly recognized alongside the main character. There are great moments of tension and some light, humorous moments that entreat the audience to feel for these characters, which is quite a feat in a war/chase film with fast action. There are, however, a few plot holes and shifty editing that clipped scenes too early and hurt the story. A love story is thrown in at the end that would be a welcome break from the action if it were established earlier in the film, but comes off a bit hokey.
The make-up effects team must have had a ball with this film. The brutality continues where films like Gladiator and Braveheart leave off with full-frontal decapitations, dismemberments, and impalements. The gore is likely authentic to the period and will no doubt please modern action fans. The photography provides amazing epic shots of the Scottish landscape through snow, mountains, and vast plains. The visual effects are blended in beautifully, leaving me to suspect that most of the film was complete using in-camera effects. The production design and costumes also come across as if great care was given to creating a rich culture for the ancient Picts and the war-weary soldiers. By far, the coolest scene is a five-way fight sequence with fast-paced, simultaneous confrontations with inter-cut blows, bringing you right into the action. The score boosts the action and intensifies the drama, providing an inspiring battle mantra.
Centurion will be in theatres this Friday.
Limité Rating: 3.5/5
Director: Neil Marshall
Writer: Neil Marshall
Cast: Michael Fassbender, Dominic West, Olga Kurylenko, Imogen Poots, Noel Clarke, David Morrissey, JJ Field, Riz Ahmed, Liam Cunningham
MPAA Rating: R, for sequences of strong bloody violence, grisly images, and language
Genre: Action/Adventure
Runtime: 97 min.
Release Date: August 27, 2010
