[Review] The Eagle (2011)

cast: Channing Tatum, Jamie Bell, Donald Sutherland, Mark Strong

directed by: Kevin Macdonald

“Mithras, lord of light, please help me, father of our fathers. Help me lead my men well. Do not let me dishonor my legion. Please help me regain my family’s honor” (Marcus Flavius Aquila)

Rosemary Sutcliff’s “The Eagle of the Ninth” is no stranger to the cinema world and comes as a close companion to the many tales about Rome put on screen after “Gladiator’s” success on screen. What Ridley Scott unleashed has let loose a wide range of TV mini series, movies and in between tries to capture glory and captivate the audience with the glory of the Roman Empire. Not to mention that from time to time it doesn’t hurt to have the crowd pick on a book and check out if the depicted story is historically accurate.

Kevin Macdonald waltzes in with a strange cast. Channing Tatum for me either gives a surprising role – A Guide to Recognizing your Saints, Magic Mike – or likes to have fun with shallow performances like G.I.Joe. We see his hunger for that script which will be the one to put him in the league of actors who can command a movie not just for their good looks and fan-base but for their talent. I’m coming here to say that Channing Tatum showed some interesting glimpses in this historical tale although many saw him as an unfit choice for Marcus Flavius Aquila, the Roman centurion who wanted to redeem his family name by finding the lost eagle standard of the Ninth Legion. Tatum is brash and stuck in the Roman officer role up to the point that when he yells ” on my command we form testudo” in my head it rang Maximus good old “at my signal we unleash Hell”. Tatum actually tries to do justice with a script that is simple and put there to suffice for a complex tale or brotherhood and redemption. He does it all, from commanding figure, to man on a mission, to broken soldier, pleading friend and brother in arms. It’s not easy. Ask Mark Strong about it or Donald Sutherland brought in a tale that could have been done better for the small screen. At least give it three parts for a well rounded story not a fast pace delivered action flick.

Jamie Bell is another solid addition to the cast as Esca. If you’d ask me, the best way to test the chemistry of actors on screen is to check the levels of ”feels” their brother like bond, love and affection generates on the social media websites. Tatum and Bell are convincing, Bell’s hardened gaze challenging Tatum for a not so easy delivered speech of you’re now my buddy. It’s a complex tale for the two characters. A Roman and the son of the Brigates chieftain form an unlikely alliance. Their blossoming friendship is actually much more believable that Mark Strong’s attempt to compel you to understand his character -which you do and not depending of the moments Strong wants to act the seconds he goes with a ”fuck this shit” approach.

“The Eagle” is not a successful attempt on screen but where it fails it shows a strong performance from Tatum and Bell.

Edge and Back: 6/10