In-Flight Entertainment

Being stuck on a 15-hour flight and not being able to sleep really sucks. After going through all our iTunes downloads, I turned to the airline's movie channel, and got caught up in the epic adventures of one Scandinavian hero of lore.

Anything with Angelina Jolie in it tends to lower my expectations for a movie, so I have to say I was pleasantly surprised when "Beowulf" turned out to be pretty decent. Sure, there are lots of cheesy parts, mostly involving breasts, both male and female. In one scene, after a massive battle, our hero stands before a vanquished opponent and mocks him by suddenly ripping his shirt off Hulk Hogan-style, revealing his gleaming, overdeveloped pecs. It's hard not to bust out laughing.

One aspect of the film that I liked was the idea of how the act of storytelling creates myth. Did Beowulf really kill nine sea monsters, as he boasts, or was it three, as his friend slyly suggests? With each subsequent account, the exploits of the hero become embellished and exaggerated, evolving over time into legendary dimensions. Held aloft by people yearning for a savior, our hero rises to the level of the gods, seemingly omnipotent and all-powerful, capable of no wrong. Until, of course, his less-than-godly desires get in the way.

Overall, it was a fun and entertaining ride, and a good way to pass the time on a long, sleepless flight.