Eagle, The (06/21/2011)

Rated PG-13 for battle sequences and some disturbing images.

Starring Channing Tatum, Jamie Bell and Donald Sutherland

Directed by Kevin Macdonald (State of Play and The Last King of Scotland)

Being a Movie Reviewer has its perks…advance screenings; DVD’s sent to your home and of course, free movies. But it also has its downside…like having to sit through another Channing Tatum film.

Here’s a quick glimpse at the story. In 140 AD, two men – master and slave – venture beyond the edge of the known world on a dangerous and obsessive quest that will push them beyond the boundaries of loyalty and betrayal, friendship and hatred, deceit and heroism.

So why do they venture out to “the end of the world”? Because 20 years earlier, Rome’s 5,000-strong Ninth Legion, under the command of Flavius Aquila (that’s Marcus’ dad), marched north carrying their treasured golden Eagle emblem. They never returned; The Ninth Legion and the Eagle simply vanished into the mists. I know…scary.

And then, wouldn’t you know it, Marcus (Tatum) hears a rumor that the Eagle has been seen in a tribal temple in the far north. He determines to restore the tarnished reputation of his father, and springs into action. Accompanied only by his slave Esca (Bell), Marcus sets out into the vast and dangerous highlands of Scotland – to confront its savage tribes, make peace with his father’s memory, and retrieve the hallowed Eagle. Along the way Marcus realizes that the mystery of his father’s disappearance may well be linked to the secret of his own slave’s identity and loyalty – a secret all the more pressing when the two come face-to-face with the warriors of the fearsome Seal Prince.

I know what you’re thinking, ”Is this based on a true story?” Well kinda.

Although it probably occurred a little bit differently than depicted in the movie, this is based on a historical event. There is evidence pointing to a major war in Britain in the early part of Emperor Hadrian’s reign – at the time the Ninth Legion is claimed to have been destroyed and Hadrian’s Wall is real. The film makers also do a great job with the Roman villa, arena, clothing and weapons. But they make a crazy left turn when it comes to the “Seal People.” Yeah they made up a tribe that looks more like Native Americans than the big-bearded men with long blond, red, and brown hair wearing Celtic clothing and welding metal weapons.

So besides going completely off the map with the historical facts, the film makers botch a pretty decent story with an extra dose of cheese. From Marcus convincing the crowd to let the slave Esca live in the arena to one of the cheesiest, lamest endings ever. It was frustrating and disappointing to watch.

Then there are the crazy camera angles and random “pan shoots.” So much of the fight scenes are filmed too close and too shaky to see what’s going on, let alone to enjoy them. And throughout the film there are very random “pan shoots” that make no sense. For example there is one of a close up of an owl that never goes anywhere in the story. And another one of some trees that looked like the camera operator didn’t hear “cut.”

Finally there is the cast. Channing Tatum has been in over 15 films and has been the star of at least five of them. Honestly I don’t know how. The crazy thing is he AGREES WITH ME!!! Check out this quote courtesy of imdb.com, “I got crazy lucky. Like, sometimes I think I won the lottery or something. At times it feels like the bottom’s gonna fall out. Just ’cause I don’t really know how I got here. But I just keep moving forward, and it just keeps getting better and better.” (2009). The girls may love him, but he is not a great actor.

This film went off the map way too many times…I have to give it a Coaster.

SHOULD KIDS SEE IT?
It’s rated PG-13 for battle sequences and some disturbing images, but they do their best to keep it on the mild side for the teen viewers.

Conversation Starter
Three Simple Questions (with Answers You May Be Looking for):

Q: What’s the message/theme of this movie?
A: There is a line in the film where Marcus is explaining to Esca about the importance of the Eagle. He says, “Eagle lost, honor lost; honor lost, all lost.” That line captures the theme of this movie and causes us to contemplate the importance of honor is our lives.

Q: How do you suppose we—as serious Christ-followers—should react to this movie?
A: Most likely we do not own a giant golden eagle that symbolizes our nation or family, but let’s look at the last part of that phrase, “honor lost, all lost.” So how should we as Christians react to that phrase? Is it biblical? Should honor be held in such high regard?

In the dictionary, the word honor means 1. honesty, fairness, or integrity in one’s beliefs and actions: a man of honor. 2. a source of credit or distinction: to be an honor to one’s family. 3. high respect, as for worth, merit, or rank: to be held in honor.

Look at the first definition again, what happens to someone that does not have integrity?

What does the Bible have to say about honor and integrity?

Let’s look at a couple verses:

Proverbs 16:11-13 (The Message)
11 God cares about honesty in the workplace;
your business is his business.
12 Good leaders abhor wrongdoing of all kinds;
sound leadership has a moral foundation.
13 Good leaders cultivate honest speech;
they love advisors who tell them the truth.

Here’s another passage that talks about how God feels about honor:

Zechariah 8:16-17 (The Message)
“In the same way that I decided to punish you when your ancestors made me angry, and didn’t pull my punches, at this time I’ve decided to bless Jerusalem and the country of Judah. Don’t be afraid. And now here’s what I want you to do: Tell the truth, the whole truth, when you speak. Do the right thing by one another, both personally and in your courts. Don’t cook up plans to take unfair advantage of others. Don’t do or say what isn’t so. I hate all that stuff. Keep your lives simple and honest.” Decree of God.

And Finally in I Timothy 4:12 Paul tells Timothy that how we live (or our honor) should be an example to everyone.

And don’t let anyone put you down because you’re young. Teach believers with your life: by word, by demeanor, by love, by faith, by integrity.

Q: How can we move from healthy, Bible-based opinions about this movie to actually living out those opinions?
A: Who do you know that you would describe as a person of integrity? What sets this person apart from other people of a similar age and/or position?

If people who know you were asked for five words that describe you, would honor or integrity be one of them?

What can you do to improve your honor?