Centurion – directed by Neil Marshall displays a simplified gladiatorial storyline of courageous Legion – Ninth who embark on a journey to conquer the savage Picts. The Scottish moors and hilly scenery depicts that of the eerie Shakespearean tale Macbeth, and puts forth such intense sword swishing, and slicing of fleshy limbs in bloody battles, that it becomes overwhelmingly gory for the faint hearted. Although the plot is inevitable and easy to follow it does take a while to fully formulate. As an exciting challenge, and perhaps unfamiliar genre-territory for British actor Noel Clarke who plays Macros, it puts a smile on faces to see him transform into an intrepid superior and sturdy soldier from his preceding mischievous streetwise roles. It was however somewhat disappointing to see his character end so soon, left to be mauled to death by a pack of ferocious wolves after being deceived by a fellow warrior. Centurion may come across as a boyish for-the-men film, yet voiceless Pict woman Etain played by Olga Kurylenko is definitely one for the ladies, her tale saddens many as we understand why she is so callously unemotional when fighting. The frequent comical inserts cleverly soften the severity of the movie – a good film by Marshall overall.
