The Eagle is not a
risky film by any means. It gives the
audience exactly what it wants, and does so in a very straightforward fashion.
Still, at 114 minutes, it will be better enjoyed when it hits the television
movie circuit.
Marcus is Roman. He wants to fight and protect his people, but
mostly he wants to restore honor to his family. In 120 AD, his father went afar
with the Ninth Legion carrying the "Eagle." This symbol of Rome went missing
when the legion disappeared. Twenty years later, Marcus hears a rumor of its
whereabouts prompting him to set off with a slave to find and bring back all
that was lost.
What it comes down to is that The
Eagle is a Channing Tatum film. Based on a novel, it doesn't come across
that the story was built first and cast later. The opposite felt true. This piece is typical of a Channing
Tatum, PG-13 film in which he's the brooding hero who must overcome an
obstacle, and must do so without being too offensive to the younger viewers.
Donald Sutherland, Jamie Bell and Mark Strong seem like nothing more than pawns
meant to add very minimal star-power to the historical picture.
The Eagle had nothing terribly
wrong with it. The runtime and build-up were extremely slow, which is why it
would probably be better watching on T.V. The plot holes wouldn't be so obvious
when interrupted by commercials, and the action scenes would appear cooler as
expectations would be lower.
The level of effort put into the film is low, but the film pulls
off an acceptable story with plenty to watch. If you miss it, don't be too
disappointed, it's guaranteed to be one channel's movie of the week in a matter
of months.
