The Northman & Ulysses 31

The word 'myth' refers to a society's collective stories, often involving Gods and the heroes that have offended them and Bad Dad Peter Andre has us thinking all about them and their cinematic representations and influences this week, as we kick things off with the Top 5 Mythical Characters. THE NORTHMAN is the second Robert Eggers film we've reviewed in recent months, after the deranged and often unpleasant THE LIGHTHOUSE and sees the director taking on the Hamlet origin story in what I hope is the first of a marvel style Shakespeare shared universe. Alexander Skarsgård seems to have found a niche playing wolf obsessed psychopaths having also explored this territory in the exceptionally bleak HOLD THE DARK and here he continues that as Prince Amleth, seeking revenge for the murder of his father King Aurvandil (Ethan Hawke) and the abduction and forced betrothal of his mother Queen Gudrún (Nicole Kidman) by his uncle Fjolnir (the excellently named Claes Bang). Eggers creates an authentic feeling world for his Vikings as well as portraying their spiritual side in a manner that allows us to enjoy the fantastical elements of their mythology balanced alongside the historical realism that is his trademark. An often incredible looking film, all bleak greys, lush greens and fire amongst the darkness at the gates of Hel, with timeless themes about anger and betrayal and how revenge wreaks damage on everyone connected no matter how tangentially, if you don't like dimly lit scenes of people making strange vocalisms to rhythmic drumming or sequences where people behave like dogs (a recurring motif for Eggers and for Willem Dafoe who at least doesn't have to do the barking this time) then you should probably avoid this, but if you’re okay with all that and you enjoy timeless and classic Shakespearean themes, young boys decapitating horses and Valkyries riding into a beautiful Valhalla then this is probably the movie for you. Looking forward to The Safdie Brother's HENRY IV (PART 1) followed by Ari Aster's RICHARD III and then the eventual and inevitable history play team up movie helmed by Yorgos Lanthimos.  ULYSSES 31 is an undisputed classic animated series for those of a certain age, who can hear the theme tune in their heads just by the very mention of that title, though none of us remember the numerical suffix. Updating Homer's The Odyssey, the first episode sets up the basic premise of the series, namely that it is the 31st century and space Jesus Ulysses has killed a giant cyclops rescuing his son Telemachus and his smurf friends but the ancient gods are angry and sentence them to roam the stars in stasis until they find the kingdom of Hades. I've already mentioned the theme tune but it really is one for the ages, the animation is excellent and inventive and the central conceit, retelling Greek mythology through the medium of space opera is an obviously great idea, credited to Jean Chalopin (THE MYSTERIOUS CITIES OF GOLD, INSPECTOR GADGET). Be warned though, the comic relief robot sidekick No-No is awful in both concept and execution.We love to hear from our listeners! By which I mean we tolerate it. Try us on twitter @dads_film, on Facebook Bad Dads Film Review or on our website baddadsfilm.com. Until next time, we remain... Bad Dads You can now text us anonymously to leave feedback, suggest future content or simply hurl abuse at us. We'll read out any texts we receive on the show. Click here to try it out!We love to hear from our listeners! By which I mean we tolerate it. If it hasn't been completely destroyed yet you can usually find us on twitter @dads_film, on Facebook Bad Dads Film Review, on email at [email protected] or on our website baddadsfilm.com. Until next time, we remain... Bad Dads