Vlad_the_Reviewer You probably saw Centurion and figured this might be a nice movie as well. I have read on the Internet that this is the better movie as it was more realistic. I, being immersed in the study of the Roman empire, ignored IMDb's average score of 6.2 and had a go at it.The Eagle (Aquila) is one of the standards a legion carries with them during war. Losing the Aquila, even dropping it, would bring a huge shame upon the unit. Legend has it that an entire legion full of fear hesitated to leave their ships. The bearer of the standard (Aquilifer) left his ship to march forward on his own. Now the legion decided to make haste as they didn't want to abandon the Aquila.In this movie the (in)famous Ninth Legion lost the Aquila, probably because they lost a battle. The son of this Legion's commander, a Centurion himself tries to undue the shame his father induced by retrieving The Eagle. How he knows the Eagle was dropped is not explained in the movie as the entire Ninth disappeared.This movie builds on the mysterious reasons for the disappearance of the Ninth. Losing the Aquila was the catalyst to get the story going.A centurion enters a base in Northern England to take over command. The monologues and dialogs are pretty bland from the get-go, but I gave it a chance as the scenery wasn't bad at all. A bit like in the movie Centurion, without blue screens and pretty unspoilt. Sadly enough bland conversations turned out to be the standard for this movie throughout.After having been introduced to the usual tropes and stereotyping, we're thrown into battle quite soon. Here my second major gripe enters: shaky cam à la handicam. It was almost unwatchable and headache inducing.We are introduced to historical inaccuracies quite soon. First of all the "Tetsudo Formaton" used was inappropriate. Then the enemies (Picts) rushed at the Romans like madmen, but none of the legionnaires thought of spearing them. The Picts even crawled on top of the formation. Funny but idiotic. Also the transverse crest on the Centurion's helmet was incorrectly worn: it was worn only during ceremonies, not in battle. Finally the Picts is in this movie wore plenty of clothes: in reality they were almost fully naked. Once again the lesson is not to assume a movie is accurate no matter how convincing it looks.Our hero, who fought bravely off-course, gets wounded, passes out and wakes up elsewhere in a safe Roman community. He is relieved of his duties due to his wounds. Soon our hero Centurion heals enough to undertake a tough journey which includes running, fast horseback riding in rugged terrain and fighting. He healed 100%, who are we kidding. The movie writer needed an excuse to detach him from his legion.But then again, this entire movie is full of it. The "Seal People". They are the main antagonists. When the movie likes it, they catch up with running horses and whatnot. The usual tropes and errors, you know the drill.We are looking at history the way (main stream) movies like it: toe cringing sentiments with sword fighting in between them. Again the shaky-cam; horrible. It was used during fights, but also when emotions ran high. It didn't add anything.And the ending was outright ridiculous. In the end I was left with the question "why?". I know it comes from a book written a few decades ago, but why this cheapskate implementation? For example the fights had potential, therefore the shaky-cam was unnecessary. And why being sentimental the corny way? There's also the blandness. Could it be that the actors are simply overrated? Surely it's not the budget I'll tell you that; The natural approach, low on computer-based special effects, was the charm of this movie. Nor did this installment require A-list actors.I think the truth is that this product was just a standard-issue money-making cash cow, leaning on the relative success of the movie "Centurion".I rated it 4/10. It could easily reach at least two notches extra by (1) removing the shaky-cam, (2) less bland emotions and finally (3) implementing an ending worth while. The executive producers know, but they don't care. To them this was project "Easy Money".

Wuchak Marcus (Channing Tatum), a Roman discharged from the army due to injuries, enlists the aid of a Briton slave, Esca (Jamie Bell), to go into the Pictish wilderness north of Hadrian's Wall to apprehend the gold eagle standard that was lost when the ninth legion went missing twenty years earlier circa 120 AD. Marcus' motivations are to save his family's honor, but will Esca remain a faithful slave or slit Marcus' throat at the first opportunity? Donald Sutherland has a significant side role as Marcus' uncle. "The Eagle" (2011) is reminiscent of films like "Centurion" (2010), "Black Death" (2010) and "Black Robe" (1991). It lacks the greatness of the latter two, but it's almost on par with first one. As a matter of fact, "The Eagle" is the unofficial sequel to that film (more on this below). "Black Death" has deeper, more interesting themes while "Black Robe" is in a league of its own as far as gritty realism goes.Where "The Eagle" shines is the authentic Scottish locations, the beautiful cinematography, and the mysteriousness of going into the unknown, as well as the depictions of the various warrior tribes and the quality score. Unfortunately, the story is only moderately compelling and the relationship between Marcus and Esca isn't that interesting. Furthermore, there are no women, except meaningless side characters in the distance; the other three films noted above, as well as "King Arthur," didn't make this mistake.Also, there is a roll-your-eyes sequence in the last act where some tribesmen (and a boy) on foot are able to keep up with two guys on horses over the course of a couple days. Why sure! Still, if you like any of the other four movies noted above "The Eagle" is a must.Be sure to catch the aforementioned "Centurion" because it chronicles the fate of the ninth legion and Marcus' father two decades before the events of "The Eagle" take place (even though it's just cinematic conjecture, of course). Although "The Eagle" has a way better first act and more gritty realism, "Centurion" is more conventionally entertaining, contains important female characters and has a better final act. The film runs 114 minutes.GRADE: B

hazysistersunshine33 This stars Channing Tatum as a Roman Soldier and Jamie Bell as a slave, who team up to go over Hadrian's Wall and retrieve a insignia of sort from Channing Tatum's family that barbarians obtain obviously violently. They are barbarians after all. The whole movie is pretty violent and even disturbing at times. It's also a real bromance between Tatum and Bell who are pretty good together. I wouldn't say this was a bad movie, but it was kind of a throw away movie. Tatum does a pretty good job in a serious roll. He isn't the greatest actor, but he always seems to really try his best. Of course Jamie Bell is great as usual.This stars Channing Tatum as a Roman Soldier and Jamie Bell as a slave, who team up to go over Hadrian's Wall and retrieve a insignia of sort from Channing Tatum's family that barbarians obtain obviously violently. They are barbarians after all. The whole movie is pretty violent and even disturbing at times. It's also a real bromance between Tatum and Bell who are pretty good together. I wouldn't say this was a bad movie, but it was kind of a throw away movie. Tatum does a pretty good job in a serious roll. He isn't the greatest actor, but he always seems to really try his best. Of course Jamie Bell is great as usual.

Sulphuric_Glue The Eagle is a good film. I wouldn't go as far as saying it is great, but definitely good.The introduction provides sufficient information to understand what is happening, so you're not confused. There is a good build-up of tension before the battle, and that Briton leaping over the wall certainly made me jump! The battle itself is nice, too; dramatic music, lots of shouting, and of course a lot of fighting. I also like the way they shot the battle, doing little snippets of fighting and death, instead of having entire one-to-one fights which take ten minutes each played before our eyes. The second battle which happens in the morning also gains my approval, for the same reasons.The movie then becomes a little dull, with a lot of talking and shouting, and I begin to wander if this has become a Roman version of EastEnders before Marcus and Esca set off. The movie stays in the same grey state for a while. There is some nice scenery and music, but essentially it is just two people travelling on horseback. Boring.Then the movie gets to the part I have been waiting for. The two adventurers come across a little village full of bloodthirsty warriors, who happen to be in possession of the Eagle. After a bit of sneaking, the adventurers steal back the Eagle but are found, and a small fight ensues. Predictably, the adventurers win, and escape. The people of the village find out about the Eagle being taken, and a long chase begins.Marcus and Esca run for 20 minutes or so (which, in the movie, is a few days) before resting in a small canyon-y thing. Marcus is too exhausted to move and has a sleep. Esca runs off, which leaves the viewer rather puzzled about what he is doing and if Marcus will survive. Predictably, he does, and Esca returns with what is left of the Ninth Legion. There is a small, almost emotional moment, before the bloodthirsty villagers attack, and a dramatic battle begins.The music at this point is very good, and there are some hilarious beards. In the end, the defenders win and take back the Eagle. Rome's honour is restored, and the film ends.So, in short, this film has a good beginning, a dull middle and a dramatic (but predictable) ending. Not that amazing, but still good.