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CRITIC'S CORNER By DNA Smith
Caveman movie misses mark by being too grim
"10,000 B.C." Running time: 109 minutes MPAA rating: PG- 13
 | | The Flintstones' it isn't, but "10,000 BC still fails to meet its goal. |
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"10,000 B.C." is the latest special-effects epic from Roland "Independence Day" Emmerich. It's a story about an outcast caveman who takes a small group of his tribemates on a rescue mission to save the woman he loves and other tribe members from a marauding band of slavers from a much more technologically advanced people.
Most of the criticism being leveled at "10,000 B.C." is that it's historically inaccurate - which is true. "Quest For Fire" it ain't. Heck, "The Flintstones" were more true to history than "10,000 B.C."
So what?
I loved "300" BECAUSE it wasn't The History Channel. I loved all the over-the-top effects, the bombast and its wonderful self-indulgence. But "10,000 B.C." doesn't have the same sense of fun as "300" did. It tries too hard to take itself seriously, when it should've been a full-on, pedal-to-the-metal joyride.
Sure, the film does attempt some ridiculous fun, like during the scene where the group of cavemen are attacked in an African jungle by a flock of enormous chickens. Yes, chickens. What should've been a fun, over-the-top action scene, sadly, is played seriously, like we're supposed to be on the edge of our seats worried that our heroes are in actual danger.
The film isn't a total disaster, thank God. There is a breathtakingly exciting mammoth hunting sequence early in the film that is a pure adrenaline rush. And the final battle is darned good. The problem is the entire movie should've been like that, instead of trying so hard to be epic and coming off as yabbadabba dumb. GRADE: C- (c) 2008 King Features Synd., Inc.
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