Movie review - "The Eagle" (2011) **1/2

Based on a famous juvenile fiction novel which is maybe why so many problems which I thought would have been obvious weren't fixed up: the story doesn't start until 35 minutes in when Channing Tatum and Jamie Bell go on the quest, then once they do it's quite easy for them to locate the missing eagle. They just get directions, raid the camp and escape. This work lacks some thing - a subplot, more emotional stakes, a complication, something. It looks terrific, though - the opening half hour (even though it could have been lopped off and you could have still told the story) is very exciting, with some terrific action. Actually this is the best part of the movie - it's like they ran out of money.

Donald Sutherland lends some class - but his part isn't needed. And I didn't buy that Jamie Bell would pick Channing over his own people simply because he gave his word of honour or there's a bond of honour. (Yes, this is another one where you can read in homoerotic subtext if you want.) I get Kevin MacDonald loved this as a boy but I wish he'd fixed it up.