10,000 B.C.

With a high budget of 75 million dollars and opening at over 3, 000 theatres, “10,000 B.C.” is expected to become a box office hit. The movie has been advertised almost relentlessly. The theatrical trailers were quite effective in building the suspense. In the previews, the audience saw the amazing CGI effects of the saber-toothed tiger and the mammoths. The action also looked promising when the hero and his followers attacked the enemy. For those who swoon at love stories, the previews also hinted at an onscreen romance. While the movie does contain all of these ingredients, the end product is not a gourmet feast, but rather a bland, over-priced lunch buffet.

After her tribe is massacred, a young, blue-eyed Evolet is taken into a village. The holy mother of the tribe looks into Evolet’s mind and sees a vision. During the last hunt, “four-legged demons” will come into the village and steal the people away. A hunter will emerge from the village and become the man who will bring his tribe back together again. Evolet will be the “hero’s woman.” After this, Evolet feels like an outsider since she is part of a prophecy yet to be fulfilled.

After his father leaves the tribe for unknown reasons, D’Leh feels like an outsider, too. Sharing this in common, D’Leh and Evolet fall into a forbidden love. Several years pass and the final hunt of the mammoths finally arrives. Killing the mammoth himself, D’Leh is given the White Spear and also Evolet’s hand in marriage. Feeling he did not truly kill the mammoth in bravery, D’Leh returns the White Spear and loses his chance to marry Evolet. Not long after, the prophecy of the “four-legged demons” becomes fulfilled. Men on horses raid the village, killing many and kidnapping several. One of the captors notices Evolet’s beauty and takes her for himself. After the raid, D’Leh is determined to free his love and his people. He and a few remaining warriors band together and begin to follow the bandits. Along the way, D’Leh encounters attacks and meets new tribal people who band together to free all who have been enslaved.

The plot of this movie offers absolutely nothing new. I saw it had plot lines that borrowed heavily from other epic movies and from the Holy Bible. The acting is a bit wooden at times, and the dialogue is completely flat and even a bit corny. Their accents would range from sounding Russian to speaking in plain English. During the holy mother’s vision, the audience can clearly see what the “four-legged demons” are. I found myself waiting in boredom for this vision to come to pass. Touching moments were rare in the movie. It’s difficult for the audience to connect with the characters. When one of them would die, the background music would rise, hoping to fuel the moment. There are a lot of “What were you thinking?” moments throughout the film. D’Leh frees a saber-tooth tiger and tells him “When I release you, do not eat me.” Another example is when the captives are taken away in riverboats. Instead of following the river, D’Leh and his men venture out in the middle of the desert where many die off. I am guessing the enormous budget went to developing the CGI effects. At times, the tribe’s land looked like it was a museum exhibit; there were also times it appeared the characters were walking in front of a television screen.

Since the film takes place in a pre-historic era, I did not hear any foul language or any misuse of the Lord’s name. The romance between D’Leh and Evolet is clean. They never sleep together and their love appears to be without lust. I found this refreshing and biblically approved. There wasn’t any sex in the film as well. When Evolet is captured, one of the criminals takes special notice of her. At one point, he buys her from her owner. His intention is implied, however, it is never carried out. He only touches her face with his hands.

The violence in the film is almost a constant. I do not recommend parents taking younger children to see this film. It gets loud at times and slightly bloody. Several people get stabbed and the camera would often show the bloody, exiting wounds. One man gets “sacrificed.” It shows him getting thrown off a roof. Several of the slaves also get whipped. There is also one kind of creature that would jump and eat the humans. There is never any blood shown, but one can see the animals over the humans. The fighting scenes are not overly gory; however, parents should still take caution.

There is absolutely no mention of the Lord in the film or His Holy Word. The tribes have their own gods to which they pray. D’leh and Evolet’s tribe has their own holy mother who does chants and prays to the gods for prosperity. The false gods of this movie are portrayed to be true and to answer prayers. The mother saw visions throughout the movie of D’Leh and Evolet’s journey. At one point, she was able to send strength to one of the ailing characters. Believers of Christ might find the portrayal of the false religion offensive.

I found that the movie borrowed heavily from the Holy Bible. D’Leh was seen as a “messiah” for his people. The prophecy said that he would save his people and set them free. Throughout his journey, D’Leh fulfilled different prophecies, making the holy mother’s vision come true. Other tribes had their own prophecies about D’Leh, which made them believe and follow him. This reminds me of how Jesus Christ fulfilled several prophecies from the Old Testament. Many of these prophecies were written hundreds of years before Jesus was born. The prophecies Jesus fulfilled were so detailed that only the true Messiah could have fulfilled them. Throughout history, many people have arisen to declare themselves saviors of their people. These false leaders are now just dusty bones. However, the one true Savior, Jesus Christ was resurrected from the dead and now gloriously sits with the Father in Heaven until His return.

If you do not look too deeply into the plot or mind CGI creatures attacking humans, you might actually enjoy the film. I just ask that you do not expect this to be an epic film or another “Braveheart.” This film received several negative reviews. If you’re strapped for cash, like I am as a college student, then I recommend you wait for the movie to come out on DVD.

Violence: Moderate / Profanity: None / Sex/Nudity: Minor

See list of Relevant Issues—questions-and-answers.

• Positive
• Neutral
• Negative
• Young people