MovieChat Forums > Centurion (2010) Discussion > Absolute waste of nearly two hours of my...

Absolute waste of nearly two hours of my life...

posted 10 years ago by warpedai
25 replies | jump to latest

Ok, slight hyperbole in the subject title as it is not the worst film ever. But...it is very bad.

In summation:

Implausible plot - Why would they go all the way to rescue the general in the heart of the enemy camp, kill all the guards around him like assassins, and then be completely stumped by the length of wood and chains holding him to a rock. So decide to run all the way back and leave him there. And then why would they spend the entire film running but then decide, when their numbers have been whittled right down to just three men, make a stand in an empty fort. It would have been logical to make a stand when they had six men versus the Picts' eight.

Unrealistic fighting/acting - Excessive blood, heads being cut like melons, etc.

Dumb dialogue - Arianna: "Her soul is an empty vessel that can only be filled with the blood of Romans". Stupid.

Stupid casting - Skinny, pretty female actors cast as fighters/warriors automatically down-grades any flick to B-movie status. The United Nations nature of the group of Romans was also unrealistic.

All in all a bad film.

[–] ttaskmaster 10 years ago

Implausible plot - The reason they were stumped was explained, at least story-wise.
While they were running they were in open and unfamiliar territory, which their persuers knew exceedingly well, making them sitting ducks. At the Roman-built fort, it was something they were familiar with and knew how to defend, especially as it had some extra armament for them.

Make sense?

Unrealistic fighting/acting - Actually, that is fairly realistic. The blood is not 300 excessive, but if you've ever seen a city centre on Friday/Saturday nights, even fist fights can garner a lot of blood.
The fight moves were fairly good, but film choreography is more about looking good while being safe, as the more genuine moves are seriously dangerous.
Heads being cut like melons is easy enough. There are accounts of competitions between various battlefield commanders over who could cleave the most heads and so on. My favourite is a bloke who lost the competition because his sword *only* cut a man from crown down to the sternum!!

Dumb dialogue - This is Hollywood. What were you expecting?
So how many great screenplays have you scripted, lately?

Stupid casting - They cast what the majority of people want to see. Sad to say, but most people would apparently rather watch the likes of Megan Fox...

The United Nations nature of Romans?
Not sure what you mean - Can you elaborate further?
Rome was pretty much like that. Their Empire comprised many nationalities and you didn't have to be from Rome or even Italy to hold Roman citizenship. You could be African, Briton or even Hun and they'd accept you if you met their criteria. In return, they'd occupy and govern your lands, keep the peace and run things nice and smooth.

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[–] warpedai 10 years ago

Come one, the fighting was completely unrealistic. I have watched countless historical weapons programmes on TV where they test the cutting ability of different swords like the Roman Gladius, Katana, Broadsword etc and the Gladius would never be able to slice a head in two as is depicted in the film. It's completely unrealistic and unnecessarily gratuitous. But I suppose from the responses I have had here, it must appeal to folk that like this kind of brainless violence.

And as for my last criticism, I am well aware of the constitution of both the Roman Republic and the Roman Empire, its citizens and its legions. I have read and watched many books and programmes about the era as history is one of my main interests. My point should have been elaborated further - my issue is that African legionnaires would certainly not be commonplace within the legions despite what some people would like to believe.

Yes, peoples of African descent would be more typical as Roman auxillaries, which were typically drawn from other nations, but an African Roman legionnaire, of the same standing as the natives and well spoken to boot? That would be so uncommon as to be unrealistic.

So the fact that the only surviving group of soldiers left out of the entire army in the film includes a Pakistani and African is unrealistic. There would have been far more less 'exotic' races in the army than what was in the film, especially fighters from Europe, such as Gauls, Iberians or Britons themselves.

[–] ronfirv 10 years ago

As an historian as you state, let's get terminology right - Legionaries not legionnaires. Legionnaires serve in the FFL today!
The Romans had two sword types, only one of which was a gladius.(The other was the spatha, which helped give legionaries extra reach). They did not have broadswords. Early Romans would have been on the small side to wield a broadsword and the style of fighting did not lend itself to such use - hence the cavalry units to chase, hack and harry.
A grave of a senior African officer was found at Arbeia, complete with inscription - as an historian, you will know where Arbeia is located.
Rome itself was THE most cosmopolitan of city states in the then known world but again as an historian you must know this basic fact.
Auxilliaries were not drawn from other nations, but provinces of Empire.
Films are not a reliable source for knowledge of Rome.
Which authority is your main source of knowledge?
Would you like recommended Academicians on the subject of Ancient Rome, perchance, or do you know them already?

Final point : you wrote that a gladius could not split a head in two - the length of a gladius blade was 40-50cm. I reckon that would do it, wouldn't you?

[–] 10 years ago

[deleted]

[–] ronfirv 10 years ago

You wrote that history was a main interest - that puts you in amateur historian description.
On the subject of history,like others, I expect reasoned argument, but all you do is issue insults to posters. Not a clever tactic to win points and persuade.
Take a long cold look at yourself before you call others idiots.

Very finally, if history is "a main interest"(that is, a knowledge a bit beyond the average), you would know that those in the ranks did not reach the status of an inscribed gravestone, and in any case,even the wealthy favoured cremation. Africans were no rarity in Rome.

[–] MrRazorz 10 years ago

Also, a single African officer's grave is evidence that African legionaries were widespread within the legions of Rome is it?! That is laughable.

Well, one man out of three thousand (as depicted in the film) isn't exactly "widespread".

[–] ttaskmaster 10 years ago

Countless TV shows, huh...
I saw a TV show where people travelled in time!
Ever used a proper sword yourself? Ever held one yourself? I mean a real one, not the cheap Kit Rae collector *beep*
Ever actually studied a historical martial art? Ever tried one full-contact? Ever actually read historical treatises on them? Ever read actual historical accounts by the people who were there?
I suppose you're going to tell me how stupid a choice of weapon a Quarterstaff is, next?

I've seen some of these historical weapons television programmes too.
The most hilarious was Mike Loades, in Weapons That Made Britain.
Mike Loades is a cinematic fight choreographer, NOT a martial artist and has NO understanding of a fight system beyond how to make it look good and keep it safe on screen.
In the episode about the sword, he claimed there's no documented evidence that the English had a fighting system of their own, but "what they probably used was this:". He then goes on to demonstrate Talhoffer, the German system which he 'just happens' to be familiar with...
He claims this while standing on the steps of the British Museum wherein are held several period publications that explain quite clearly the exact system the English used and are WELL known in the sort of circles he is supposedly a member.

Let us not forget the famous Gunny R Lee Ermey and all his shoutey goodness. He's supposedly a former US Marine, for goodness sake, yet the man doesn't even know how to correctly operate a BAR... so why is he the benchmark on how well a "Samurai sword" cuts?

Tell me again of these sensationalist TV programmes about weapons and presenters who don't understand how they work...

A sword is a sword. You don't need something razor sharp when it's 3' of solid steel that tapers to a point. If that were the case, executioners would have used a Katana instead of an axe, right?

Calling this "brainless violence" is just trolling.
This is how history worked.
Might as well complain about so many soldiers getting blown up in a war film when the biggest battlefield killer was artillery exploding!!
That's how it went, deal with it!!

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[–] warpedai 10 years ago

So I'll put you in the category of brainless, uneducated Westerner who likes violence, because that is how you come across. You sound brainless.

Welcome to my ignore list.

[–] ttaskmaster 10 years ago

"Uneducated"...?
Says the troll who cites TV shows as their source of learning... Riiiiiiight!

You came *all* the way to IMDB just to whine about this one film?
Joke's on you, buddy!!

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[–] 10 years ago

[deleted]

[–] ronfirv 10 years ago

He is entitled to a pov. Have never seen this guy as a troll.
Who is being "fascist" now then?

[–] ttaskmaster 10 years ago

It's called discussion and debate. Look those up.
And since you've stalked me here from another unrelated thread, you might want to reconsider who you call troll...

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[–] Jakealope 10 years ago

"Dumb dialogue - This is Hollywood. What were you expecting? "
Oh, you mean the UK Hollywood? English (ok UK) flick, studio, actors, sets, locations, directors and writers but I guess Hollywood controls their Anglo Saxon & Celtic minds through Jewish mesmerism

What are they doing? Why do they come here?
Some kind of instinct, memory, what they used to do.

[–] ttaskmaster 10 years ago

English (ok UK) flick, studio, actors, sets, locations, directors and writers

Actually, that'd make it British, if you want to get technical... with some input from the French, apparently!

So why are the budget and box office takings measured in American Dollars, then?
Why was it released (twice) in the US a whole two months before the UK?
The influence of Hollywood stretches far beyond the borders of the US, ya know...

This film was made for a Hollywood market... and it shows!

I guess Hollywood controls their Anglo Saxon & Celtic minds through Jewish mesmerism

It's backed by Warner Bros (the founders of which are/were actually Polish Jews!!) and is thus controlled through MONEY. Simple as.

[–] Jakealope 10 years ago

it is still a British film made by the inhabitants of that country. Blaming some lines of silly dialog on America is classic British snobbery & blame shifting. It is not like everything the English write is on the level of Shakespeare or Bronte. Plenty of English films and other media are shyte, just like America. And this film, for its genre, actually has pretty good dialogue

[–] ttaskmaster 10 years ago

it is still a British film made by the inhabitants of that country.

If you say so... I'm more bothered by who funded it and owns it, really. The purse-holders tend to call the shots in the industry, unfortunately.

Blaming some lines of silly dialog on America is classic British snobbery & blame shifting.

It was made for that same audience. I blame the whole industry that revolves around it, regardless of which country they're from. It just originates from the likes of Hollywood, so they're a convenient figurehead for it!

It is not like everything the English write is on the level of Shakespeare or Bronte.

Shakespeare isn't all that anyway. He had some good stuff, but other bits were utterly dire!!
I've not read much of the Brontes' works either, but I suspect they've got their faults too.

Plenty of English films and other media are shyte, just like America.

Oh, I'm not arguing that. Go watch The Sweeney, for example... actually, don't. No, really, don't bother - Not unless you're bored and find America's Next Top Model a difficult programme to follow!!

But with the Brits' mass importation of Hollywood crap, there has been a serious downturn in their media quality. Half the good directors have buggered off into filming utter crap (yes Sir Ridley, I'm looking at *you*, boy!!) and I don't think the world will see the likes of Blackadder ever again!

And this film, for its genre, actually has pretty good dialogue

The overall film was pretty good for its genre, sure... But nothing really sparkled about the dialogue, IMO.

[–] Jakealope 10 years ago

it still was a good movie.
BUTTT: Neil Marshall, a Brit, wrote and directed it

AND:::
Production Companies

Pathé Pictures International (presents) (as Pathé Productions)
UK Film Council (in association with)
Warner Bros. (in association with)
Canal+ (with the participation of)
CinéCinéma (with the participation of) (as Ciné-Cinéma)
Celador Films
_________________________________________________________________

Some of those companies look French and one looks Spanish. So at best this is a Euro film, not a cut and dried Hollywood back lot production. I got an idea, let's blame the French for the lame dialog, some existentialist frog figured he'd mess with your head

[–] ttaskmaster 10 years ago

I got an idea, let's blame the French

Err... are you just really slow-minded, or something?
Surely you are aware that blaming the French is not so much a 'good idea' of yours, as an actual and long-established legal requirement... right?

Seriously, before they let you graduate *anything* and turn you loose into the world, they actually make subtle psychological checks to ensure you arbitrarily blame the French for whatever the issue is!!

[–] ronfirv 10 years ago

I found the dialogue fairly good, no more.
For outstanding stuff, try The Lion in Winter,or even The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie. Brilliant repartee.

[–] Jakealope 10 years ago

Love the Prime, too bad none of those women went any farther

What are they doing? Why do they come here?
Some kind of instinct, memory, what they used to do.

[–] ronfirv 10 years ago

The previous poster has summed up well most of what I wanted to say.

I felt most of the lead actors fitted the roles more than well enough, and for me, Ms. Poots and Mr Fassbender more ideally suited to their parts than a few others.

Too much blood? Maybe, but, without going into gory graphics on this board, I once worked in Saudi Arabia with a US company on contract to the US Corps, and one Friday saw two beheadings in the main square of Riyadh. Not a pretty site. Enough blood to make one rather queasy I assure you.

Rome's Empire was international by nature(and using modern terminology),Auxiliaries from Belgium, France, Spain,Germany, and North Africa all served in the Legions, as well as more than a few Britons. Some even volunteered!

Hadrian's family had estates in Spain, Severus was from Libya. I name these two Emperors, as both set foot on British soil, the former landing on the banks of the Tyne near Newcastle, and the latter leading his legions well into central Scotland, using the Roman road of Dere Street.

[–] Gitch28 10 years ago

Why would they face the Picts under the cover of the fort rather than in the middle of forest with no archers to counter the blonde that had killed half the legion? You've certainly raised a point there.
Of course when at the fort they did actually claim to be tired of running and wanted to die fighting when they realised they could not escape but I suppose that isn't really relevant to your point. I suppose any valid point has no relevance to yours given the incredibly obvious lack of strength your point has.

The film was fine. Your quote is from the language of the tribal face painting Picts under the impression witchcraft is something you put down on your CV. You just don't have an argument. The most famous person of the tribes of Briton in history is in fact a skinny female warrior so once again it is hard to give your argument any real consideration.

The action was fine, better than the usual action scenes. Your first non-point has also been invalidated simply by the film not consisting of the 2 minute sequence you remember.

"I was gutted as I had to miss the tiddly winks world championship" - Berserker

[–] ttaskmaster 10 years ago

You're possibly flogging a dead horse as I think we're all on his 'ignore' list anyway... that is to say, the list of those persons he's too ignorant to understand when they offer a reasonable and constructive response to his argument.

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[–] 10 years ago

[deleted]

[–] Loovemovies 10 years ago

I don't like it either. Fassbender says it's not his best work. I appreciate the honesty. I couldn't sit through the entire film. Dominic West and Fassbender are easy on the eyes. That's all I could take.