Forum Overview :: The Netflix Instant Forum :: Valhalla Rising

[quote name="Mischief Shai-hulud"]The previous effort by the director of "Drive." In terms of pure entertainment value I haven't seen a movie blow its load in the first half like this since "Full Metal Jacket." But hey, Caltrops curmudgeons have helped me learn a new hobby: approaching art films as a fun puzzle to figure out, so here's by best effort at "Valhalla Rising" *SPOILERZ FOLLOW* The theme of the story is the Scandinavian switch from Paganism to Christianity. One-Eye literally is God, or the Scandinavian idea of God. In the first part of the movie he is the Viking God Odin, a violent God in a violent religion. His battles and struggles mainly serve to entertain and his place in the grand scheme of things is as miserable and undignified as that of a slave. When the Viking Chief decides to sell One-Eye under military pressure from the encroaching Christians, God escapes from slavery/pagan existence. The child he takes under his wing represents the new Scandinavian generation, looking for a God, but unsure what the true form of God really is. One-Eye meets the crusaders, hears them boasting of their holy cause, and puts them to the test. He hijacks their ship and takes them and the boy to America. There, pushed to their limits, the crusaders' faith crumbles as they turn against one another. Each has their own interpretation of what the mute One-Eye is trying to tell them. Those whose pride or greed or other sins consume them are put to death by arrows from the Natives or die by One-Eye's axe. In the end, you have the boy and the two surviving crusaders following One-Eye. The wounded Crusader follows one-eye as far as he can, dies, and goes to Heaven, getting the reunion with his dead sons he sought. The other one, unwilling to forsake his father/family to follow One-Eye, is doomed to death. In the end, the boy and One-Eye reach the sea and One-Eye sacrifices his life for the boy. His transformation from Odin to Jesus complete, the new religion of Scandinavia appears in the sky. Valhalla has risen to something greater. That's my best guess, anyway.[/quote]