It works once you turn your brain off
Image courtesy of www.impawards.com
Director: Roland Emmerich
Notable Cast: Steven Strait, Camilla Belle, Cliff Curtis, Joel Virgel, Affif Ben Badra, Mo Zinal, Nathanael Baring, Mona Hammond, Marco Khan, Reece Ritchie, Joel Fry, Omar Sharif, Kristian Beazley, Junior Oliphant
Once viewers get past the unnecessary anachronisms, muddied geographic location, and inconsistent special effects, 10,000 B.C. is more than capable of taking the audience on an entertaining adventure. Blatant disregard for scientific accuracy (and sometimes logic) has always been director Roland Emmerich’s forte, so such glaring contrasts between his film and the actual time period should be expected before walking into the theater.
It seems a lot to ask viewers to ignore such relevant aspects as setting in place and time; or language barriers; or the existence of forged metal, sailboats, and telescopes; or anything else on a mile-long list of grievances one could file against 10,000 B.C. In truth, it becomes increasingly difficult to completely cast Emmerich’s ignorance out of one’s mind, but with a little suspension of disbelief as well as a whole lot of tolerance, 10,000 B.C. will tickle that most primal part of your cerebellum with its simple, but epic-ish, tale of destiny, love, and revenge.
D’Leh (Steven Strait) is a warrior destined for to save his people according to his village’s mystic (Mona Hammond). But after his father seemingly abandons the tribe, D’Leh is viewed as a weak outcast likely to do the same. When the girl he loves, and equally fated, is abducted along with many of D’Leh’s fellow tribesmen, he sets out on a quest to save Evolet (Camilla Belle).
Along the way, D’Leh encounters many dangers. He and his mentor Tic’Tic (Cliff Curtis), as well as rival Nakudu (Joel Virgel), and underling Ka’Ren (Mo Zinal) must track Evolet’s abductors through the mountains (North America?), jungles (South America?), and deserts (Africa?) of their world before finally reaching them at the river where the evildoers are using slaves to building their Egyptian style civilization. All the while D’Leh and his fellow warriors must battle prehistoric creatures as well as the elements to survive. The computer-generated settings and animals are introduced with varying degrees of quality with the unfinished pyramids looking the most impressive and the incredibly important sabertooth tiger looking like Hobbes from Calvin and Hobbes.
It reveals nothing to announce that D’Leh ultimately fulfills his destiny, but he does so in a surprisingly vengeful and atheistic way. The final battle between good and evil is an impressively realized special effects showcase, and an excellent payoff for those who were able to enjoy 10,000 B.C. at face value. The story itself is timeless and executed as well by Emmerich as any other director who has tried their hand in the epic genre. The film is thusly ready and able to take viewers on that much sought after escapist journey, but it is up to the individual to decide if he or she is willing to come along.
FINAL RATING (ON A SCALE OF 1-5 BUCKETS):
