MovieChat Forums > Valhalla Rising (2010) Discussion > Most Pretentious Film of all Time? It's ...

Most Pretentious Film of all Time? It's gotta be close.

posted 12 years ago by imajestr
10 replies | jump to latest

I don't usually mind art films, but this film is the epitome of pretentiousness. None of the imagery or symbolism is particularly interesting or telling. None of the characters matter, there's literally no plot at all, and the score is a grinding snooze-fest. I don't doubt the director had something interesting in mind when he was shooting this, but it seems he was trying way too hard to make something oh-so-brilliant that it turns out to ring as hollow as the tin man's chest.

But that's giving them the benefit of the doubt. Perhaps the whole crew was on acid from start to finish. That probably makes the most sense.

[–] toxilium 12 years ago

I have to agree with you for the most part, but I did very much enjoy the gritty realism when it came with relationships and violence. The conflicts between characters and the fights were very gritty and felt real. The rest was a symbolic, pretentious snooze-fest.

[–] imajestr 12 years ago

Well part of the big problem for me is the ending, too. It's as if the director didn't even know what the film was about anymore. Suddenly the ruthless killer, who is only in the film as a symbol for a ruthless killer, sacrifices himself for the child--both of whom we know virtually nothing about other than one is a killer and one is a child. Is this sacrifice supposed to mean something to the audience? Be important for the character's growth? My main problem with the film is that the symbols are all pretty old and trite. So-and-so sits on a mountain top surrounded by light. Oh boy. Light has never been used before as a symbol for salvation.

[–] grrrdevin 10 years ago

You mean the gritty realism of computer-generated scarlet Kool Aid erupting from One-Eye's victims?

"I've been living on toxic waste for years, and I'm fine. Just ask my other heads!"

[–] Prismark10 11 years ago

It was pretentious, arty, beguiling, strange but also watchable.

Its that man again!!

[–] vibgyor1 11 years ago

The Definition of Pretentious is the OP not understanding what was going on.

[–] Gheelnory 10 years ago

vibgyor1 wrote:

The Definition of Pretentious is the OP not understanding what was going on.

If that were true, then there would be no actually pretentious works.(But, instead, only people who fail to understand the works they call 'pretentious.')

But there are genuinely pretentious works, in all fields (movies, theater, literature, music, and so on). So: no.

I do think this movie is "pretentious" in the sense of being solemnly self-important in an unearned way. But even so, Valhalla Rising contains some very effective elements (mainly found in the cinematography and in the performances, for my taste, anyway).

I'm glad I finally saw this one. But there's no denying that it's not for everyone.

_ . _ . _ . _ . _ . _ .
Grey Fairy / White Wolf

[–] nephihaha 11 years ago

If you think this is pretentious, check out "the Life of Stuff".

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It's not "sci-fi", it's SF!

[–] 11 years ago

[deleted]

[–] nephihaha 10 years ago

" The symbolism is ultimately shallow but impresses the gullible who want to feel 'intellectual.' "

Yes, exactly, check out the pseuds roundabout!

It's an arthouse film by numbers for people who can't really appreciate arthous.

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It's not "sci-fi", it's SF!

[–] PoppyTransfusion 10 years ago

I wasn't very engaged with the film but this

the score is a grinding snooze-fest

is nonsense! The music was, at times, sublime and really helped create atmosphere.

Did you say my eyes or thighs are beautiful?