Once I stopped to take a break during the scoring process, I popped a DVD into my player that I had to purchase: Robert Zemeckis' brilliant 3D adventure, Beowulf. I am convinced that this is one of the best fantasy films ever made! Of course, it can't miss considering that it is based upon on of the first stories, if not the first, ever written in English, the original anonymous poem that was written between the 8th and 11th centuries. It is interesting to note that evryone at some point has either been forced to read it during their school years or at least, have heard about it. Well, I am one of those people that loved even the poem when I first read it in my teens! Not only did Neil Gaiman (I read his "Sandman" graphic novels years ago) and Roger Avary write a wonderful screenplay, they re-told the tale in a bright, innovative way. who would have considered the dragon that ultimately is responsible for Beowulf's demise turns out to be his son he had sired with Grendel's mother? The screenwriters wisely reenacted an Arthurian motif which I enjoyed: the son coming back to haunt the father; Mordred came back to haunt King Arthur as a reminder of past sins.The special features of the DVD is correct to point out that Beowulf is the grandfather of fantasy literature which has inspired everything from the Arthurian mythos to the Lord of the Rings; even Star Wars has to pay homage to its depth. Also, the animation is first-rate second only to real life action; it is very hard at times to tell the two apart! If you're a fan of excellent moviemaking or a SciFi/Fantasy buff(or both), please check this great film out! Ok, now back to my scoring...LOL:) BKT