There's the short version of my review for The Eagle and there's the long version.
First, the long version. The Eagle is based on the stories and myths that surround The Ninth Legion, a battalion of Roman soldiers who marched North of Hadrian's Wall during Rome's occupation of Britain, who were never seen or heard from again. After getting to see the accomplished son (Channing Tatum) of that lost unit in action some years later, the story then follows him and his slave (Jamie Bell) as they try and retrieve the Ninth Legion's emblem from a remote Scots village deep in enemy territory.
It's a well made, expensive, thoughtful and weighty drama about the prejudices (both positive and negative) countrymen have about their own states, as well as other countries as well as how they define honour as individuals. Surprisingly, Channing Tatum doesn't embarrass himself in the role of military leader and highly driven soldier, but that's by no means a compliment. There's still nothing going on behind the eyes and you can't help but think a more shilled thespian would be riveting in the part. Bell is just fine as his partner in battle but, oddly, it's Mark Strong who's the weakest here in a role he very nearly fumbles. The action is well staged, the direction has a contemporary feel and it's a relief that the beautiful landscapes are brought to life with little or no CGI trickery. But it's a film with a slender plot and slim characterisation despite the worthiness of the telling.
The short version of the review is this; watch Neil Marshall's Centurian instead. Michael Fassbender kicks Tatum's arse from here to Pluto!
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