During his short-lived incarceration amongst the Vikings, Kainan shows how advanced his hand-to-hand combat training is over his captives multiple times. It is also during this time that the majority of the major cast members are introduced. There is Wulfirc (Jack Huston), who captured Kainan, Ruthgar (John Hurt), the ruler of the surrounding lands and Freya (Sophia Myles), his daughter. It is Freya who deviates the most from what you traditionally in films. She is not waiting to be saved by the hero (for the most part); she is a fighter, much like Eowyn in Lord of the Rings: the Two Towers and Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.
The viewer may be pleasantly surprised (depending upon their temperament) at how gory and violent Outlander gets in some scenes. It’s all in context, never out of place. While watching Outlander, the viewer may be reminded of Brotherhood of the Wolf. Much like that film, there is a blending of monster and period-piece in Outlander. To be fair to Outlander, this film is a blending of sci-fi, monster movie with what may or may not be sincere instances of Viking life. Only a person who studied Viking society would know. This film seems a tad more authentic in that department than Pathfinder was.
Even before the Moorwen was brought to bear on the Vikings, there was strife in Viking land. When Gunnar (Ron Perlman) first appears on screen in Outlander, he brings with him an old grudge and war.
Howard Cain’s Outlander is an entertaining hybrid: science-fiction with enough gooeyness to satisfy horror fans as well. It is not quite as good as Brotherhood of the Wolf but it is a runner-up to that film, exceeding the efforts found in Reign of Fire. Reign of Fire had fantastic CGI and cinematography but a lack-luster plot. Outlander has a better plot, good effects, more blood and a better ending. The viewer will be surprised multiple times as to how good and entertaining Outlander is, especially when Kainan’s back story is put on Front Street. For it is during these times that some of the best visuals and sci-fi scenes are witnessed in this film.
Rating: 8/10
Soundtrack Review for Outlander
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