Film
What's on at the cinema plus reviews of the latest movie and DVD releases
Bookmark this pagePathfinder (2007)
Director: Marcus Nispel
Synopsis
A Viking child is adopted by a tribe of Native Americans who raise him as one of their own.
Movie review
From Time Out London
‘The Lord Of The Rings’ actor Karl Urban returns to fantasy territory with this period action-adventure, but any similarities with the ‘Rings’ franchise end there. He plays Ghost, a monosyllabic Viking reared by kindly Native Americans after his family have marauded and left. When his horned-helmeted tribesmen (yes, it’s that inaccurate, Vikings did not wear this headgear) return for some more pillaging, Ghost fights to save the Indians he has grown to know and love. And that’s about it. OK, so there’s a pretty Indian girl in jeopardy, and a shaman called Pathfinder muttering prophecies. But this is slight stuff, with little to engage the viewer emotionally. Ghost’s supposed dilemma – who to fight for – is a no-brainer: the ‘Dragon People’ are roaring demons hellbent on destruction; his Indian protectors are gentle and loving. The dialogue is hilariously basic (‘I want to kill them all’ is Ghost’s mission statement) and the action generally uninvolving. Urban looks the part, and there’s a modicum of suspense in the literal cliffhanger at the end. But by this stage most audiences will be already rolling their eyes in disbelief.Author: Anna Smith
Time Out London Issue 1913: April 18-24 2007
Cast & crew
Director: Marcus Nispel
Producer: Marcus Nispel, Mike Medavoy, Arnold Messer
Cast: Karl Urban, Russell Means, Moon Bloodgood, Jay Tavare, Clancy Brown, Ralf Moeller full cast
Genre(s): Action/Adventure, Thrillers, War
Rated: 15
Duration: 99 mins
UK Release: Apr 20 2007
Most popular on this site
Top Stories
Has David Cronenberg turned tame?
Has director David Cronenberg veered too far from his radical and bloody roots with new film 'A Dangerous Method'?
The 10 worst date movies
Just in time for Valentine's Day, we present ten of the least romantic films ever made
Where to watch this year's Oscar-nominated films
Find out where to watch 2012's Oscar-nominated films in London cinemas
10 unlikely badboy biopics
Featuring Phil Collins, Jeremy Clarkson, Nick Clegg, David Starkey and a host of other unlikely subjects
Interview: Sean Durkin on 'Martha Marcy May Marlene'
The first-time director of the brilliant new thriller discusses religious cults and robot boxing
Pop-up cinema for Valentine's Day
Side-step romantic clichés with some alternative Valentine’s viewing
What do you think?
Post your review now