Next Up, ‘Beowulf’—

Maritime Aquarium Is Screening Hollywood Films On Its IMAX Screen

NORWALK — In a time of heroes comes a man who would be king by his own hand. He is a mighty warrior. His goal is immortality. He wills the fates to make him mythical. “I . . . am . . . Beowulf!” is his war cry. In his quest he battles fierce monsters. In the end, his human weaknesses betray him.

The English language’s oldest heroic myth came to life with a modern twist recently with the release of the feature film Beowulf. An epic tale of such proportions deserves a venue equal to the task.

“IMAX is the way the movie was conceived, and the way to see it,” wrote Time Magazine Reviewer Richard Corliss. “Being surrounded by the huge screen focuses your attention on the story.” Beowulf is now being screened at The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk

Screenings are Thursdays at 8 pm; Fridays at 7:15 and 9:30 pm; Saturdays at 5, 7:15 and 9:30 pm; and Sundays at 5 and 7:15 pm. Tickets are $11.50 for adults, $10.50 for seniors (age 65+), and $9.50 for ages 2 to 12. Maritime Aquarium members receive $1 discount.

The film is rated PG-13, and it has a running time of 114 minutes. It will continue at The Maritime Aquarium until at least February 17.

The Aquarium recently upgraded its IMAX theater to show Hollywood releases on its six-story-tall screen. Polar Express, which just concluded a run, was the debut major motion picture release. Now the Aquarium is offering Beowulf, and next up will be I am Legend.

“The unique geometry of our IMAX theater, combined with crystal-clear, larger-than-life images, and 12,000 watts of proprietary digital surround sound, creates an environment that puts the audience into the movie,” explained David Seligman, IMAX projectionist at the Aquarium.

“It was amazing to watch our Polar Express audience,” he continued. “From up here in the projection booth I can look down and watch people duck, sway and jump in unison to cues in the movie. Something about the sheer size of it, engaging your peripheral vision, it puts you right in the movie. Now that we are opening up with a dramatic movie in the action-adventure class, I can’t wait to see how our audience responds to 70-foot tall monsters.”

Despite Beowulf’s hubris, it is perhaps the monsters that steal the show, appearing especially dramatic on IMAX. From the grotesque Grendel, played by Crispin Hellion Glover, to the stunning beauty of his mother, played by Angelina Jolie, their animated bodies take full advantage of an “epic size” theater experience.

Director Robert Zemeckis, who launched his unique, performance-capture animation technology with Polar Express, took the action to new levels in “Beowulf.” Special body suits with attached white dots digitally captured the actors’ movements. Then computer animators placed these life-like characters in fantasy settings, and everything came together in an amazingly realistic and dramatic cinematic world.

In addition to the monsters, Beowulf is played by Ray Winstone. Anthony Hopkins is the corrupt King Hrothgar, Robin Wright Penn his young and tragic wife. The film also stars John Malkovich, Brendan Gleeson and Alison Lohman.

The ancient epic poem was liberally interpreted by writers Neil Gaiman (Mirrormask, the graphic novel, Sandman) and Roger Avary (Pulp Fiction). Enough of the old remains to launch engaging discussions. Certainly the central theme survives, as it does in similar tales throughout the ages.

The Maritime Aquarium is at 10 North Water Street in Norwalk; call 203-852-0700 or visit MaritimeAquarium.org for additional information.