Harry here, well, we've been covering this film forever it seems. The initial test screenings were... very very poor. Hallenbeck tore the film apart while I believe Goldfinger liked it. Reshoots were needed, McTiernan left the project, Crichton took over the director's chair, but then the reshoots were delayed by the film Banderas was directing. In all, delays after delays. BUT hell, delays came for a film called TITANIC, and ultimately it didn't hurt that film too much right? Well as far as I know this is the first time the film has been tested with the final score and the reshoots in place. The film is most likely very different from the film the mighty Joe saw... or let's hope. The only thing I want is that cool as hell title back, I want EATERS OF THE DEAD!!!! What the hell is a 13th Warrior. That is a week title. Yes I understand what it means in context with the film, but it is still LAME. EATERS OF THE DEAD rocks. Sigh... Damn wussies...
Hey there Harry, I had the chance to attend a test screening of the new John McTiernan movie "the 13th Warrior" last night in Canoga Park. And it just rocked, brother! I even thought Banderas was really cool even though I always thought he was pretty much a wanker. But he was really good in this one... he was the star of this film but still the Vikings still all the show. Why did we have to wait so long to get such a good Viking movie??? Those guys make for mad cool charcters! The fight scenes are truly great (I don't know if you've seen the movie yet), you should see how the music (I don't think it was temped, that was the final score) pumps it all up. That is one great score, it makes you wanna invite all your friends around for a night of boozing where you shout SKULL! before downing your glass in one go. But still, some of the best scenes have no violence (which seemed trimmed down - the last battle especially felt a bit too short). The bests for me were the one where the 13 warriors are chosen (boy, you feel like jumping into the screen and yell "I'm the FOURTEENTH MAN!" and the one before the big battle where they all join together in a little confidence-building tirade. I got adrenaline rushes just from that, so just imagine the rest, mate.
My only big problem with the movie was the title.... what the fuck is wrong with EATERS OF THE DEAD???? That was one hell of a title! Why did they change it to the less curiosty-inducing 13TH WARRIOR? Well, the one and only Michael Crichton was present at the screening. (Boy, is the man tall!) I asked him about it and 13th Warrior IS the definitive title. A lot of people were put off by EATERS OF THE DEAD, he said.
Go figure.
Alright, Harry, thanks for the attention.
Crow
