SCI FI PI

Released Jan 9
Starring Karl Urban, Clancy Brown
Directed by Marcus Nispel
Rated MA 15+



As the saying almost goes, violence is golden. But violence is not always historically accurate or part of a coherent, well-constructed plot.

If you've seen the trailers littering the internet, popping up on cinema screens and DVD trailer parks, you'll be forgiven for being at least mildly intrigued by Pathfinder. Its balls-to-the-wall action sequences, obviously high production values and sexy 'dark' look say savage swordplay with alluring sheen.

Unfortunately, that's about it, and if you're looking for anything remotely historic to grab onto, forget about it.

This is not the DVD to watch with snacks. Blood pudding or any offal-based meals are totally out. Bloody savagery and combat is the order of the day - heads chopped off a regular feature. If you've got a strong stomach, long since curdled on the likes of Saw et al, then you should be okay. For those who couldn’t sit through Wolf Creek, you’re in trouble. It might look a bit like Lord of The Rings, but the resemblance is fleeting at best.



The story is simple. “Vikings” invade America in pre-Colomban days and give the locals a hard time - a hard time meaning raping and pillaging with an emphasis on the chopping off of heads. Bringing along a little boy (as you always do) on their raiding party, these monster-like Vikings want him to take his first blood, but he refuses, gets whipped and left behind.

15 years later, and after a shaky start, little blondie has been taken in by the local tribe and learnt their ways - but his very bones are still those of a Viking warrior, the question for him and the tribe (and for the entire film) – where is his heart? – is he still a Viking or one of the people?

That question is answered when a raiding party (with horses!) returns to clear the land of locals to make way for Viking colonisation.

Obviously anyone with even a remote smattering of history will tell you that’s not quite the way things actually went. They’ll tell you the same thing about the horses, the chain mail, the axes, the bows and arrows (!) the long swords and the crazy horn helmets.

Obviously this film isn’t about historical accuracy – it’s Die Hard Goes Viking.

Once you get that through your skull you can forgive the completely over the top action and the startling American accents of the local Indians. You can also forgive the lack of complex plot.

The iconic Clancy Brown as the leader of the Vikings is always a plus, but he‘s hidden behind a helmet and a one dimensional character. Karl Urban proves that he can carry a film, and hopefully after this and Doom, someone will be kind enough to offer him a script that requires some acting rather than just gymnastics.



The film looks beautiful, the action is goretastic, but unlike a similar film, 300, it lacks the inadvertent mirthful subtext, so it’s not quite as much ironic fun combined with squintworthy pain. Still if you enjoy a bit of mud-caked butchery (and who doesn’t?) this will satisfy your cravings.

DVD EXTRAS

Interactive menus, Enhanced for WideScreen TV, Bonus footage, Trailers, Deleted scenes, Commentary, documentaries ('Clancy Brown: Cult Hero' Featurette, 'We Shoot Now' Featurette, 'A Test of Will' - 5 Part Documentary).