3 of 14

Write now Article Tools

From Roland Emmerich, director of 'Independence Day' and 'The Day After Tomorrow', comes the first in a new breed of action movie that must entice and captivate its audience without the usual combinations of car crashes, bomb explosions and first person shoot-em-outs. Without these to depend upon 10000BC relies on a unique combination of great narrative story-telling and stunning CGI, ever more enhanced by the unique benefits of blu-ray. The odd battle with sabre-tooth tigers, giant dodo creatures and war-like scenes that rival those in films like 'The 300' also play their part.

This incredible special effects spectacle follows the journey of our unassuming hero D'Leh (pronounced da-lay) played by actor Steven Strait who must travel across ancient, un-chartered territory after his peaceful tribe are forced into slavery by a horde of four-legged demons. This travelling tribe capture not only D'Leh's fellow hunter-gatherers but also his one true love Evolet played by Camilla Belle. We follow in D'Leh's footsteps, in third person, as he crosses great mountains, deserts and forests, gradually building an army and learning more about his father who seemingly deserted the tribe when D'Leh was very young.

In the final chapter of the film we see D'Leh and his many followers battle the very tribe that have forced so many others just like them into slavery. We see a revolution amongst the slaves and a united army of many races and colours rise up and fight for what is right and meaningful. The ending is not set in stone until after the battle but still every scene plays on your emotions as the story unfolds.

For those interested in the CGI side of the film there are some great close ups of a sabre-tooth tiger, mammoths and various landscapes that really test the high definition capabilities of blu-ray. The epic battles towards the end of the film also show great attention to detail. The only criticism I can make is that facial close-ups highlight the incredible amount of air-brushing used and make the actors appear fake and un-real. The braveheart-esc musical score attached to the film is also impressive and makes a huge difference to the emotional capture of the audience. At times however the ambient music can overpower the voices of the actors or the narrative and make the story difficult to follow.

The writer has cleverly conveyed the theme of equality between races, gradually making subtle hints throughout the film. The coming together of different tribes echoes this theme but it is most notably picked up at the end of the movie when D'Leh and a black tribe leader come face to face in an emotional embrace. Special features include an alternate ending which is well worth watching, if only for the special effects and visual mastery.

You would not expect much less than excellent from the writer-director of Stargate and Independence Day but the film does have minor flaws. It is good that Emmerich has taken action movies into this new realm and hopefully we will see others follow in his footsteps. A 4/5 highly-recommended action movie that won't blow your socks off but will keep you glued to your high definition tv-set for the duration.

Learn more about this author, Dominic Clacy.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about Movie reviews: 10,000 BC?
We want to hear your view. Write now!