Centurion (2010) Michael Fassbender, Andreas Wisniewski, Dominic West, David Morrissey Movie Review

Centurion (2010)   2/52/52/52/52/5


Michael Fassbender in Centurion (2010)

Behind Very Old Enemy Lines

AD 117 and whilst the Roman Empire stretches from Spain to Egypt things are different in northern Britain as their relentless conquering has stalled thanks to the tactics of the Picts. Having joined forces with General Virilus' (Dominic West) famous legion, Quintus Dias (Michael Fassbender) finds himself in charge when Virilus is captured as they end up in enemy territory. Now low in numbers and the harshness of the weather eating away at their strength Quintus and the men must battle to save Virilus and get his men to safety.

I have long got use to the coin flip tendency of movies about the Romans as whilst some will be about the history and aim to create an accurate historical look, sacrificing entertainment to do such others will be about the look and the stars. Now I am no historian but "Centurion" comes across as being in that second group with a movie heavy in big visuals from cliff jumping to the violence of people getting cut, stabbed and killed in graphic style. Now maybe some enjoyed watching people getting their throats cut or spears rammed up into their never regions but for me "Centurion" skirted the line of gratuitous violence extremely closely with a graphic nature which surprised me.

And the sad thing is that whilst "Centurion" is full of impressive visuals as well as have Michael Fassbender in the lead role there isn't much else. It is simply a take on the "behind enemy lines" storyline except with this being set in Roman times where wolves still roamed the British wilderness. And sadly when there isn't a huge amount of graphic violence been thrown at you there isn't a great deal else to get excited by.

What this all boils down to is that "Centurion" might appeal to those who are fans of Michael Fassbender whilst some who enjoy graphic violence might enjoy the ridiculous amount of blood shed with its in your face nature. But beyond that this movie has nothing to offer and is a surprisingly boring experience.


LATEST REVIEWS