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The 13th Warrior, by Leslie Adams, was given three stars (of four)

I find myself recommending the 13th Warrior, because of its exciting battle scenes, dark atmosphere, interesting locations and some surprisingly powerful scenes.  Why didn't it get a better rating, because the plot is pointless.  It is just an excuse to put us into some great battle scenes.             

fadlanfirepic.jpg (12416 bytes)What is the plot? Not much. But it could have been so much more.  Antonio Banderas plays Ahmed Ibn Fahdlan, an Arabian poet, who is banished from his home, after he falls in love with the king's daughter, and travels north as an ambassador to the Vikings.   This is all told to us in a matter of 3 minutes.  I would have been better if they worked it into the story and gave us more of his background.   The Vikings soon receive word from home, that they are under attack by a mysterious tribe of demons.   They need 13 warriors to travel home and fight them, of course Ahmed is picked as the 13th, even though he has never been in battle before.  He travels north with them, even though he doesn't know their language.  In one of the movies worst scenes, he sits there for days watching them, and then suddenly knows their language.  Yeah right!   Anyways they soon reach home and face off with the enemy, in some of the most exciting battles since Braveheart.

The battles scenes are nothing less than a blood bath, but they are exciting and entertaining.   I was on the edge of my seat.  The final battle is truly amazing.   Everything about adds to how great it was.  The setting in the rain, the background music, the way the battle is setup and the gore effects are great, all make it an exciting and powerful battle.    It may sound sick, but I think that action movies with more gore are a little more realistic.  And it adds to the intensity of the battle.

hallofhurot.jpg (12975 bytes)The movie actually contains some powerful scenes.  I was actually amazed that a movie with such a dumb plot could contain some powerful scenes.  Take for example, before the last battle, when Badneras prays to his god, then prepares himself to face death. 

The atmosphere is crucial to this movie.  The movie uses darkness and mist very effectively in the movie.  Take for example when the tribe shows up, they come with the mist and leave before anybody knows what hit them.  These scenes were excellent.   The mist sort of creeps up on their village, then suddenly an army of torches appear in the mist seconds before they attack. It is really something.

All of these qualities are what made me give the movie a good review.  But why did it not get a better review than it did?  Because it could have been so much more.  A lot more.

I wish they had focused on his life before he was banished, and his voyage from his home to the Viking lands, where he battles the mysterious tribe.  And I wished that I had learned more about the ancient tribe, and what their background is.  It would have made the movie that much more interesting.  This could have been quite an epic but it seems more rushed along to the incredible fight scenes than a story.

But the movie has a lot of energy and excitement.  Enough for me to recommend it. But I would recommend a matinee just in case you don't like it.

Cast:
Ahmed Ibn Fahdlan: Antonio Banderas
Queen Weilew: Diane Venora
Herger the Joyous: Dennis Storhoi
Buliwyf: Vladimir Kulich
Melchisidek: Omar Sharif

Directed by John McTiernan
Rated R: Gory Violence.

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