Ragnarok Review – Fabulous Family Fun

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Category: Indies, Docs, Foreign Film

Published on Sunday, 17 August 2014 15:04

Written by Janet Walker

"Ragnarok," from Magnet Releasing and Magnolia Pictures, brings to the screen with the discovery of an ancient Viking hieroglyphic a suspenseful, thrilling, delightful family adventure setting off a journey that ends with renewed life, hope and love.

Directed by Mikkel Brænne Sandemose, "Ragnarok" stars Pål Sverre Hagen/Sigurd, Nicolai Cleve Broch/Allen, Sofia Helin/Elizabeth, Bjørn Sundquist/Leif, Maria Annette Tanderø Berglyd/Ragnhild, Julian Rasmussen Podolski/Brage.

Adapted for the screen byJohn Kåre Raake, from a story written by Martin Sundland and John Kåre Raake "Ragnarok" is based on a true story of the finding of the Ragnarok Viking Ship in 1904, an historic find in Norway as it proved the Vikings were more sophisticated an ancient civilization than previously believed.  

Our first taste of this fantastic voyageopens with a flashback to the Norwegian Vikings, as an unknown enemy confronts the Nordic leader; a father's last thought is for the safety of his only daughter, who would be queen.

Pål Sverre Hagen, a familiar face to American audiences as he recently starred as Thor Heyerdahl in the blockbuster Kon-Tiki, again puts his explorer stamp on this role as the archeologist who without doubt and contrary to those around him, believes the ancient civilization exists.

After a disastrous funding pitch, that for all intensive purposes costs him his position at the museum, he, pulling a single father of two, is late for his children's school performances.

Maria Annette Tanderø Berglyd and Julian Rasmussen Podolski, play his children, Ragnhild, his daughter, from his deceased wife who passed away from cancer, is struggling with adolescent without her mother and desperately longs for the affection she believes her father shows her brother.

Now five years, they are still trying to cope with life without her. As school is out for the summer, the children are trying to convince their dad they should go to Spain for summer vacation. Brage, believing his Dad should be married has secretly created online dating profiles. This scene is played well and is cute as it nails the universality of the global population, we're all looking for home and is funny to see the reaction as the world outside of our small sphere is connected to the internet and the singles scene is universal.

Drawn back to his consuming fire, the discovery of the ancient civilization, the chances of finding the missing link seem more distant than ever. Just at the lowest moment, the doorbell rings, his friend Allen played by Nicolai Cleve Broch, who is also looking for the connection arrives with a large hieroglyphic stone etched with markings, which are known as the ancient alphabet of the Vikings.

Suddenly with renewed life, he gathers the children explaining the exciting summer holiday they were planning would take them to exciting Finland! And with a little parental bribery they set out on what would be the adventure of a life time.

This is where we meet Elizabeth played by Sofia Helin, a survivalist, outdoorsy, rock climbing, totally empowered female. Able to leap tall buildings she becomes the anchor to the team and no challenge is beyond her. She is woman; hear her roar.

Felled by natural curiosity the two children are a magnet for finding the needed, unusual and trouble. The group is rounded out by the crusty guide, Leif played by Bjørn Sundquist, who takes them deep into the mountains, past old Russian boundaries and into caverns.

What follows is an action adventure fit for American cinemas! A world-class release, "Ragnarok" , mixes  the mythical, with the scientific. The cinematography is stunning. Shot on location in Norway, which I've only seen in winter, the stunning lush landscape is surprising.

"Ragnarok" is a adventures delight. Running the same vein as "Jurassic Park," director Mikkel Brænne Sandemose has created a giant hit, with a tough of world history, serving audiences a thrilling adventure.

"Ragnarok" is a film that grapples with our Viking heritage and draws parallels to our own time in a playful and adventurous way. My goal was to make a film that keeps you on the edge of your seat and takes you on a roller coaster ride through myths, riddles and epic encounters with the past," said Director Mikkel Brænne Sandemose.

"Ragnarok"  can be seen on VOD and opens in select cities on August 15, 2014. In Norwegian with English Subtitles.