Centurion - Fight or Die

Ein historischer, abenteuerlicher Hunt-Film. Gratulation an Marshall, dass er zum Regisseur von Schauspielern wie Fassbender, West, Cunningham oder Morrissey wurde. Die helfen ihm, zusammen mit einer fantastischen Natur, aus dem Film ein unterhaltsames und spannendes Werk zu machen. Der Film ist nicht selbstzweckmäßig blutig und brutal, er ist realistisch und seine Gewalt passt zu dem Konzept eines harten Dramas, in dem sympathische Hauptfiguren von einer blutdürstigen lady-vengeance Anhalterin in der Wildnis gejagt werden. Ihr Zorn und ihre Grausamkeit sind begründet, deshalb löst ihre Figur bei dem Publikum keinen Ekel und Hass aus, sondern Angst und Respekt. Weniger realistisch ist das Make-up und die geföhnten Haare der schönen Fee, die alleine am Fluss lebt, in dem sie sich mit bloßen Händen das nach Fisch riechende Frühstück fängt. Man ist aber trotzdem für ein wenig Zärtlichkeit in der grauen, hoffnungslosen Welt dankbar. Wenn die Konfrontation am Ende intensiver wäre, würde ich über 4* nachdenken. (04.10.2011)

I’m sorry to say that this has been the most boring Marshall. If I were to judge it somehow objectively, I would go no further than seven out of ten points, but with my ugly relationship with historical films (accurate or otherwise), I can’t go over 50%. Centurion is as silly as Doomsday, but to its own misfortune, it takes itself very seriously. The action scenes are unreadable, put together with lots close-ups of chopped, flying or falling human body parts, without any overall view of the battlefield. This year’s winner in the competition of badass historical films is hands down Valhalla Rising. (12.08.2010)

Objectively, this is probably Marshall's weakest film, but in the "bloody historical carnage" category it's still a strong above-average film. It rests mainly on the director's sense of maximum blood (never mind that it splashes digitally) and charismatic actors. For an hour and a half where nothing actually happens, the film is fully immersive and makes you feel that sometimes there is real beauty in simplicity. (17.08.2010)

Centurion is definitely not a realistic historical drama from the ancient history of building the Roman Empire, but a historicizing fantasy, which takes from real history only what it deems suitable as a starting point for an adventure story. The whole film stays afloat with raw action, albeit being sometimes straightforward and cheaply bloody. There are definitely more blood spatters than would be possible in reality, and the director utilizes contemporary digital technology, so severed limbs fly in all directions and the viewer can also enjoy disgustingly bloody details. The story itself is not complicated, but in terms of action films, the cast is highly above standard, because everyone involved can act and, speaking about the male part of the ensemble, they also have charisma. The female participation in the war campaign somewhat resembles a caricatured Xena, because a barbarian warrior with half a kilogram of makeup, whose eyes drown under such a dose of eyeshadow that even Queen Cleopatra would surely envy her, does not exactly inspire trust in historical fantasy. Not to mention the fact that the participating girls, despite their diligent battle cries and fierce grimaces, come across more like they just stepped out of a fashion show. Overall impression: 55%. (23.10.2010)

If only “Bran Mak Morn" were a little like this. Raw, warrior cut and thrust. Marshall has some shortcomings and mainly he should learn how to edit, and the scene changes aren’t always completely kosher, but nevertheless paint a wonderful atmosphere full of war and blood. The cast is remarkable. Excellent, fair Michael Fassbender is balanced by the dumb savage with the devilish face of Olga Kurylenko. And I liked Dominic West, even though he wasn’t given much time to warm up. And not forgetting Eskheri’s music, which was A-grade. (14.08.2010)

The digital blood bothered me quite a bit. The saying that less is sometimes more applies here, but it’s not missing Marshall’s typical trademarks are not missing. The raw, dirty, harsh environment is excellent. Michael Fassbender is becoming more and more likeable to me, and the plot has a devilish pace. Considering the budget and the script, it could have never been an epic blockbuster full of monumental battles, but it can still be survived. It is rather a modern action film set in a rough medieval era. Apart from the details, it comes together fairly solidly. (05.09.2010)

Ich würde dem Film so gern vier Sterne geben, wirklich. Dafür, wie reichhaltig Centurion - Fight or Die ist, dafür, dass in dem Film (fast) ständig etwas passiert, dafür, dass er (fast) nie langweilig ist und viele sympathische Figuren hat, dafür, wie kompromisslos in ihm gehackt, aufgeschlitzt, gesägt und geschnitten wird. Für Marshalls wilde Regie, für Eshkeris Musik, für Olga Kurylenko, die mich überrascht hat… Wegen der schlampig gemachten Konfrontation am Ende, wegen der Hexe und des mehr oder weniger dummen Finales kann ich das aber nicht. Schade. Sehr schade. Ich gebe dem Film also bessere drei Sterne und füge hinzu, dass ich kein Problem damit haben werde, mir Centurion - Fight or Die irgendwann noch einmal anzuschauen, was sicherlich auch ein Pluspunkt ist. (04.03.2011)

I can't help it, but I was incredibly bothered by the fact that most of the bloody wounds here were digital. It's a shame that traditional tricks and masks weren't used. It would have suited the movie much better because "Centurion" is action-packed and gritty, and in that aspect, it definitely won't disappoint the viewer. However, it doesn't impress in terms of plot. (14.07.2017)