So much potential with this plot, but it's too damn dark to see what the hell is going on half the time! Frustrating!

Pathfinder is a rare breed of movie where for the entire length, I kept asking myself why I'm watching this.

Perhaps its greatest weakness is its cinematography, which is dark and pale and hence, incredibly uncomfortable to immerse yourself in. Acti... (read more) Pathfinder is a rare breed of movie where for the entire length, I kept asking myself why I'm watching this.

Perhaps its greatest weakness is its cinematography, which is dark and pale and hence, incredibly uncomfortable to immerse yourself in. Action movies don't tend to thrill me either, if I cannot see a purpose. So although this hour and a half is full of slicing and gutting, none of it is ever quite imaginative or original enough to feel rewarding. The situations are a lot of the same we've seen in other movies and even just moments before in this movie. Viewers will know everything that's coming.

So why am I watching this?

Pathfinder is an historical, sword and armour action flick. I think the premise is astonishingly good, as it talks of Vikings coming to the New World long before Columbus, and how those marauders savaged the natives. Granted, the movie never really goes into any sort of detail about that basic foundation, but watching with foreknowledge will certainly improve the experience. Meanwhile, the presence of native American actors and their culture in this film is extremely interesting and always worthwhile to support. Those like Russell Means and Moon Bloodgood are not masters of the acting craft by any means, but they really do their best here and they suit the story perfectly. On top of that, the costume design for both the natives and the vikings is a stroke of genius.

So although Pathfinder has its positives and can be enjoyed in spurts, the spurts often end with an itch to find out what MORE is going to happen, and whether this movie is ever going to do anything ELSE. Pathfinder is watchable if you enjoy it's kind, but sadly, there isn't any mighty light at the end of the tunnel.

Utterly brainless action film set in America at the time of the Vikings., Pathfinder looks beautiful and has some decent action scenes but is ultimately non-engaging due to the complete lack of character development or plot and an overuse of 300 styl... (read more) Utterly brainless action film set in America at the time of the Vikings., Pathfinder looks beautiful and has some decent action scenes but is ultimately non-engaging due to the complete lack of character development or plot and an overuse of 300 style slow-motion shots.

The plot couldn't be more simple, left behind in America by his Viking brethern after refusing to kill a native, Ghost (Karl Urban) is brought up by the Native Americans and becomes a part of their community. 20 years after they left Ghost behind, the Vikings return hell bent on killing everyone in their path in order to settle in america. Ghost decides to rage a one man war against the Vikings to gain revenge after his town is slaughtered.

Now I know an action film doesn't actually need much plot in order to be fun but it does need likeable characters and sadly Pathfinder doesn't give us any. Karl Urban is good as the hero but he has so few lines it's hard to root for him. The Vikings are all your typcial big bearded brutes with metal face helmets making it impossible to tell them apart. The action uses teh slow-motion technique far too often. I can not understand why directors think this is a good idea, obviously actin played out at a fast pace is far more entertaining than seeing some slowly move through the air. There are some good action scenes, particularly the climax at the side of the mountain which is great entertainment. The cinematogrophy is beautifully done, the entire film looks great. The sets, backdrops, costumes and locations are all brilliant making the production top class. It's a pity the script couldn't match the technical aspects of the film.

There is good mindless entertainment to be found here as it's your typical 80's style action romp but if they used a little less slow-motion and created some interesting bad guys then it could have been better. Still worth a watch.

Dumb and historically inaccurate.

Pretty gory, but overall a good movie. Akin to the 13th Warrior, not quite as scary. What can I say...I like war/battle movies.

Shirtless Karl Urban is the only redeeming quality of this movie.

I get the complaints against this movie, but I was really drawn into the lush cinematography and the work of Urban to illustrate his torn nature. Yes, it is contrived- no more than Rambo in 1000 against the vikings, but there are some great beats her... (read more) I get the complaints against this movie, but I was really drawn into the lush cinematography and the work of Urban to illustrate his torn nature. Yes, it is contrived- no more than Rambo in 1000 against the vikings, but there are some great beats here that are worth the ride.

All cinematic creativity seems to have focused on devising the most repellent ways to maim and murder.

Loud and overbusy but never exciting, Pathfinder is an action film only insofar as airborne prop heads and severed appendages equal action.