Viking (2016)

Wonderful Movie

Absolutely the worst movie.

It’s sentimental, ridiculously long and only occasionally funny

Watching it is like watching the spectacle of a class clown at their best: you laugh at their jokes, instigate their defiance, and "ooooh" when they get in trouble.

The cinematography, post-production, costumes, acting, and everything that has nothing to do with the story is pretty good but as for the story or more specific the historical events, felt really sluggish and hard to understand, the movie was too artistic and symbolic that it felt like watching a theater play.

As a sympathetic but apostate former Christian, I am intrigued by a specific sub-genre: dramatizations of the historical adoption of monotheism by pagan cultures. My guard does go up if the film is of the solemn hagiograhy variety, presenting the change as a solemn inevitability (ala most"life of Muhammed" stories.)To my mind, this film "Viking" smuggles a respectable monotheism epic into audiences' attention by disguising it as a visceral Game of Thrones style feud-fest. However, it nonetheless managed to retain my goodwill by packaging it with entertaining spectacles, mostly grounded in dramatically satisfying character motivations and arcs driving the conflict. In the process it averted hagiography (At least until the end when an aftertaste of sanctity seems to hover over the film. SPOILER: the protagonist turns out to become a Russian Orthodox saint.)However, that whiff may well be my own prejudice showing. To my less- encumbered cineaste's eye, the contrast between the smoky, muddy, bloody world of the Rus for most of the film, and the golden sunlit skies and mosaic-laden Christian universe that appears progressively more towards the climax, makes the religion appear impressively enticing, even to this apostate. It's an uplifting transition, one that ultimately reduces to a fake-out the cynical quote from Mao which appeared in the film's opening. I did find the film had some shortfalls, mostly common to other historical epics.It can be hard to distinguish one bearded or armoured character from another, both spear-carriers and variously expendable secondary characters, either in repose or in a rain- curtailed action scenes.The film is overlong, and displays intermittent awkward compromises between historical veracity and dramatic necessities.However, on balance, it still skillfully held my attention throughout; showcased some vivid cinematography and speed- ramped action; and generated moderate star-wattage from a couple charismatic performances.

A - Anti-historicThose who say it's "historically accurate" are either shills hired by the marketing or really stupid and uneducated hillbillies.This trash has less basis in real history than movies like "Lincoln Vampire Hunter". Everything "historic" on screen is profoundly and disgustingly fake. That goes for events, personalities, lifestyle, customs, architecture, warfare, weapons & armor...If Vladimir the Great was alive today he'd sue for slander and instantly won big time.U - UnwatchableFrom purely cinematographical point of view, this is unwatchable trash, plain and simple. Acting and directing are way below traditional trash genre standards. Screenplay is devoid of any logic, consistency, or character development.T - TrashI believe the real purpose behind filming it was money-laundering, or something similar to what Uwe Boll did. Except any of the worst Boll's movies are much better than this trash.

This story baffles anyone confined to the restrictive and inaccurate western misinformation with regards to vikings/varangians. The story is told in perfect segments outlining the story of a Kiev Rus (Scandinavian founders of Russia) reclaiming his title. If somewhat familiar the context is derivative but of other stories of similar scope. The characters, costumes, and design all feature ancient European artifacts the Varangians were well known to have recovered during raids. The authenticity of the costumes makes other viking related material seem juvenile. If you compare this to the current Anglo/Keltoi created Vikings TV show you'll see. Vikings did in fact not have hipster haircuts and manscaped beards etc nor is there a single shred of evidence anywhere that viking women even existed let alone went on raids. If you love your Nordic history this movie is for you. Don't let the rating steer you away. Enjoy!