A critical moment in the film Beowulf that should be reevaluated is the charming scene of the hero, Beowulf, played by Grendel’s mother played by Angelina Jolie. The lighting is low key, warm and gilded, setting the mood for the seduction. Jolie’s character rises out of the water and her body is covered in a golden sheen. In this highly sexualized moment, the film is trying to move beyond the conventions of animation by depicting such imagery, but because of the half-human, half-animated look to the characters, the result for the viewer is a confusing amalgamation. The animators are unable to depict sex appeal and seduction in a successful way because they are neither respecting the boundaries of animation or typical, human acting films. Are viewers comfortable feeling attraction toward what is half cartoon? The viewer is constantly torn by the appearance of a human face and a digital animated face. The result is irritating and needlessly distracting. This deformed appearance is especially trying during this lustful, sensual scene. Jolie over sexualizes every word, so the scene is oversaturated in sexual energy which could be the film makers’ attempt to compensate for the lack of human appearance. Grendel’s mother fondles Beowulf’s glowing blue sword and it crumbles, symbolizing his fading conviction to destroy her. This super phallic moment is a failed attempt to enrich the scene with sexual undertones because it is so very overt.
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