"Viking Wolf" (2022) - Movie Review

"Viking Wolf" is a historical action-adventure film set in the 9th century and follows the story of a young Viking warrior who, after being betrayed by his own people, joins forces with a group of wolves to seek revenge against those who wronged him.

Directed by [Stig Svendsen], the film stars [Elli Rhiannon Müller Osborne] as the lead character and features an ensemble cast that includes [Arthur Hakalahti , Sjur Vatne Brean , Mia Fosshaug Laubacher , Ívar Örn Sverrisson , Vidar Magnussen , Kasper Antonsen and more.].

The film promises to be a thrilling and emotionally charged ride, blending elements of action, adventure, and drama and exploring themes of identity, loyalty, and redemption.

Production Design and Costumes

One of the standout elements of "Viking Wolf" is its production design and costumes. The film transports the audience to the 9th century, and the attention to detail in the film's sets, costumes, and props creates an immersive and believable world.

The film's costume designer deserves special recognition for their efforts in accurately representing the attire of the time period. From the fur and leather armour of the Viking warriors to the flowing robes of the villagers, the costumes help bring the film's characters to life and add to the overall authenticity of the film.

Lead Performance

The lead actor delivers a strong performance in "Viking Wolf." He does an excellent job of bringing depth to his character and makes the audience feel for his journey. His portrayal of a young man struggling with his sense of identity, loyalty, and morality is compelling, and he portrays the character's transformation from a proud warrior to a lone wolf with sensitivity and nuance.

The lead actor's emotional range is impressive, and he is able to convey the character's inner turmoil and pain through his facial expressions and body language, even when the dialogue falls short.

Chemistry with Wolves

One of the most memorable elements of "Viking Wolf" is the chemistry between the lead character and the wolves. The film's special effects team should be commended for their work in creating realistic and lifelike wolves that interact seamlessly with the lead actor. The relationship between the lead character and the wolves is genuinely heartwarming, and the film's most memorable moments come from their interactions.

The wolves serve as both companions and protectors to the lead character, and their bond adds an emotional layer to the film that elevates it above your typical action-adventure fare.

Action Scenes

"Viking Wolf" features a number of action scenes, and the film's stunt team does a great job of bringing these scenes to life. The film's action sequences are well choreographed, and the use of practical effects and minimal CGI adds to their realism.

From large-scale battles to one-on-one fights, the film's action scenes are a highlight and will appeal to fans of the genre. The film's fight scenes are well-executed, and the use of slow-motion and close-up shots effectively captures the impact and intensity of the action.

Predictable Plot and Lack of Character Development

While the film has a number of strengths, it also has some weaknesses. The film's plot is predictable and lacks originality, and the audience is likely to see the film's twists and turns coming from a mile away. Additionally, the film's characters lack depth, and the villains' motivations are not fully fleshed out, making it difficult to fully invest in the story.

The supporting characters are largely underdeveloped, and the film fails to explore their backstories or motivations, leaving them feeling like caricatures rather than fully realised characters.

Clunky dialogue and slow pacing

Another weakness of "Viking Wolf" is its clunky dialogue. The film's script is littered with awkward and stilted lines that take the audience out of the moment and detract from the overall experience. Some of the characters' dialogue is so forced and unnatural that it feels like the actors are reading from a cue card.

This is a shame, as the film's premise has the potential to be a compelling and emotionally rich story, but the clunky dialogue often undermines the film's dramatic moments.

Furthermore, the film's pacing is slow in parts, which can make some of the scenes drag on and dull the film's momentum. While this is not necessarily a deal breaker, it does mean that the film is likely to test the patience of some viewers, particularly those who are looking for a fast-paced action movie.

Overall, "Viking Wolf" is a mixed bag. While the film has some strengths, including strong production design and costumes, a strong lead performance, and well-executed action scenes, it also has some notable weaknesses, including a predictable plot, underdeveloped characters, clunky dialogue, and slow pacing.

Fans of historical action-adventure films may find something to enjoy in "Viking Wolf," but those looking for a more nuanced and emotionally rich story may want to look elsewhere.

IMDb rating: 5.2/10