Description: The heroic story of a young Norse man raised by Native American Indians who wages a personal war against the Vikings that barbarically raided his tribe.
Amazon.com:
Pathfinder is a curious, cross-genre movie with elements of horror, sword-clanging fantasy, historical fiction, and Native American mysticism. A classic story of an outsider-hero, Pathfinder is set approximately five centuries before Columbus’ arrival in the New World, a time when Vikings were claiming real estate in Greenland and eastern North America. A young Norse boy is abandoned by his disapproving, conqueror-father and adopted by an aboriginal tribe. He grows up to become Ghost (Karl Urban), almost-but-not-entirely accepted by natives, yet a fierce swordsman and defender of Indians after a terrible assault on those whom he loves best. Clancy Brown (The Shawshank Redemption) plays the fiercest of the invaders, a merciless leader who tangles with Ghost’s inherent prowess as a fighter, and engages in a psychological as well as physical struggle with him in the film’s final third, which involves a harrowing journey through an avalanche-prone mountain path. Russell Means (The Last of the Mohicans) is a typically comforting presence as the all-wise Pathfinder, leader of a tribal nation and Ghost’s supporter, while Moon Bloodgood (Eight Below) is outstanding as a love interest with nerves of steel. Marcus Nispel (who directed the 2003 remake of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre) guides the brutal if often exhilarating action as if it were amplified history. He makes the point for a contemporary audience that Vikings were as terrifying a danger to those whom they conquered as, say, Klingons are in Star Trek--precisely by making his Vikings seem so reminiscent of Klingons. --Tom Keogh
Pretty and action-filled, but a little flat Beautiful scenery? Check. Good fight sequences? Check. Compelling action? Check... sort of. Good characters and a solid plot? ...well, you can't have everything.
Sure, I know there was a plot. Left-behind Viking boy saves adopted family from complete annihilation by another wave of Viking warriors. But that's it. That's all there was to this story. There's no in-depth characterization. Nothing to make you root for the good guy other than the fact that, well, he's the good guy! No emotional connection to the characters, or between the characters. Yes, we know they respect (and maybe even love) each other, but it doesn't come through the script or the acting. It's simply two-dimensional. And while the action scenes were exciting enough, getting to them felt like wading through treacle. I spent a lot of the movie was spent with the 'all right, get on with it!' feeling.
I suppose it's fine as far as mindless action flicks go - as I said, it's very pretty to watch - but I'd rather spend my time watching *funny* mindless action movies. My guess is, if you loved 300 (which I'd rather have watched on fast-forward, just to get most of it up to regular speed) this would be a movie for you. But if Bad Boys is more your 'blow'em up action movie' style, give this one a miss.
Perfect ( I think ) for the video game generation Good grief. Vikings were certainly as mean and nasty as , say, the Mongols, though I think for body count of innocent victims the Mongols would win hands ( feet, and heads ) down.
After 15 years this boy remembers his native tongue perfectly. He also managed somehow to learn expert swordsmanship and Viking style fighting by the age of 7 or so....all of which he remembered as he practiced by himself over the years.
The movie answered once and for all the question of nature vs. nurture. I realize most video gamers never heard these terms or understands what they mean. It's mostly nurture it turns out.
This movie is definitely entertaining. I learned a lot. I didn't know more Vikings appeared as the original ones were killed off....no matter the attrition rate up until the end their numbers stayed pretty constant...spontaneous generation of full grown full of hate Vikings? Maybe.
I also would never have guessed that Vikings were in the game just to kill and maim etc etc. I thought they were after loot too....but nothing seems to interest them as they rummage around villages they as they destroy them.
I was also surprised that the Vikings would cross giant mountain ranges just to kill easy to kill natives....and come to think of it why didn't the natives loot the wrecked Viking ship for swords and other useful stuff? Like maybe portable GPS gear? I mean, your average gamer probably doesn't realize they didn't have such technology.
Anyone who takes this movie as seriously factual is in need of further education if he/she is over ten years of age. It's great fun and worth ten bucks. Glad I didn't pay more. If you want to learn anything about native american culture, viking culture, or history you best not get this movie. If you know anything about these things keep it to yourself as you watch....
And just exactly what breed of dog did those natives have??????
Edge of My Seat I thought it was a very good movie. It kept me on the edge of my seat and the action throughout was great. Jay Tavare and Karl Urban were great foes and allies to each other.
FANTASTIC MOVIE! IF YOU LIKED 13TH WARRIOR, BRAVEHEART AND GLADIATOR, THEN YOU WILL LIKE THE EXTENDED UNRATED VERSION. THE ACTION KEEPS YOU ON THE EDGE OF YOUR SEAT FROM THE START TO THE FINISH. MY WIFE ALSO LOVED IT. NOTE: MY WIFE IS NOT A FAN OF VIOLENT MOVIES. HOWEVER, THIS PARTICULAR MOVIE HAS MANY REDEEMING QUALITIES. IT INSPIRES A SENSE OF JUST DO THE RIGHT THING. DO NOT BE INTIMIDATED TO GO ALONG WITH THE EVIL YOU MAY SEE ALL AROUND YOU. DO NOT BE AFRAID TO STAND UP AGAINST EVIL WHEN YOU SEE IT. THE COSTUMES ARE EXCELLENT. THE BATTLE SCENES ARE VERY REALISTIC AND EXCITING. IT MAKES MY ALL TIME TOP TEN LIST OF MOVIES IN THIS GENRE.
Arch liberal, white people are bad movie. The following is a sarcastic review of a stupid movie
white viking child adopted by Native Americans. 10 years pass by: The child is now a man, but not exactly considered a great warrior. Then the Vikings return to slaughter the Native Americans (for no reason, except that white vikings get a kick out of slaughtering non-white foreigners). The Indians are beaten like government mules, and than our white hero arrives. Of course, the Vikings don't attack him. After all why would they slaughter a white guy? He chops their heads off, drowns them in Ice water and they continue to trust and follow him. Why would they trust him after he kills them. god, don't ask such stupid questions. The answer is obvious: he is white.
Did anyone else notice that the Native Americans spoke English, and the Vikings spoke their foreign language. It really drove home the point about who was really here first. pure genius....
Anything Goes Trivia
Last Kiss
Megaton Man
Trevor
