DVD Review: 10,000 B.C.

The filmmaker who launched a UFO invasion in Independence Day and unleashed the forces of global warming in The Day After Tomorrow now unveils a new day of adventure, a time when mammoths shake the earth and mystical spirits shape human fates. Roland Emmerich directs 10,000 BC, the eye-filling tale of the first hero. That hero is young hunter D’Leh (Steven Strait), set out on a bold trek to rescue his kidnapped beloved (Camilla Belle) and fulfill his prophetic destiny. He’ll face an awesome saber-toothed tiger. Cross uncharted realms. Form an army. And uncover an advanced but corrupt Lost Civilization. There, he will lead a fight for liberation – and become the champion of the time when legend began.

Review:
When the 10,000 BC trailer first surfaced last year, many people predicted that it would be 2008’s 300. The epic and big budget feel certainly seemed to be there, but it just didn’t translate through in the movie at all.

The story follows a hunter who risks his life in order to save his love and save the people that have been kidnapped from his tribe. Not a bad plot, until we start walking over some hills to expose all of the historical inaccuracies that the film portrays. It’s just insulting to the intelligence of anyone who has ever taken a history or science class.

While there are no written records that will allow us to compare details on how historically accurate this film is or isn’t, I can’t help but to make some general assumptions. For starters, one can assume that English was not spoken. Next up, the film has the pyramids and the ziggurats being built thousands of years before their time. And of course, we can’t forget the bird/raptor creature that is encountered. Yes, this film still has dinosaurs evolving. This is just me scratching the very obvious surface. I can’t help but fear there are young people seeing this film that will think this is indeed how history happened.

There’s also a touch of Stargate to the film, hinting that the Egyptians are rumored to have come either from the stars or from the sea (Atlantis). I’m all about some good sci-fi… when done correctly. If you’re going to mention it once and say nothing else, is there really a point?

The best part of the film is without a doubt the sabertooth tiger, who basically befriends the lead character. I mean, if we’re going for unrealistic, then this is totally plausible. I’m not even going to go into the fact that we were in Africa, and this species of cat existed in North and South America.

I often found myself wishing that the entire film was done in CGI, because at least then, all the scenes would fit together. There are so many parts of this movie that are obviously shot on a green screen, and that fake look just detracts massively from the film itself. But I have to stop myself somewhere, because there’s just so many elements of the film that are inaccurate that perhaps the fake look to it all is appropriate.

The special features include an alternate ending and several deleted scenes which are a nice touch to the release, but it just adds to the feeling that you’re wasting your time. There could have been featurettes on the CGI elements, bloopers, or cast interviews. You’ll find none of those on this release though.

Review by Emma Loggins

Grade: D
Official site: http://www.10000bcmovie.com/
Buy on Amazon: 10,000 BC