Preview: Centurion (2010)

Synopsis:

In an assault on Britain, a regiment of Roman soldiers is nearly obliterated but for seven centurions commanded by their imprisoned general to return home by any means necessary.

• Poster: B-; B-; B-; B-; C

Review:

It's not a staggeringly great achievement, but it's a sufficient piece that should help attract an audience unfamiliar with the work. By focusing on the violence as such, it's bound to be suitable for pulling people in.

The next triumvirate of posters depicts the three main characters of the film. It's about as original as any other character-driven poster that's ever been created, but they aren't overly garish, they aren't pointlessly stylized and they don't seem like the artist is going out of the way to bring attention to it.

It's a nice enough poster, but why does a live-action film that's not based on a graphic novel need a comic book-styled poster? I know that's the demographic they are trying to appeal to, but the first poster is much better at approximating the type of advert that should work.

• Trailer: C+

Review:

It's a fairly typical action trailer but with some poorly chosen camera work and bland music, but plenty of suggested violence to appeal to some audiences. However, without the anchor of a major name, the film is very likely to disappear from theaters quickly.

Oscar Prospects:

Unless it's a critical favorite, the film is likely to be forgotten come Oscar time, though if anything it would only compete in the tech categories.

Release Date:

• August 27, 2010

Full Review Synopsis:

I have not seen this film.

-Wesley Lovell (July 12, 2010) Original

-Wesley Lovell (August 9, 2010) New Posters