Ragnarok: The Viking Apocalypse ~ Non-Spoiler Review

Reading Time: 3 minutes

🇳🇴 Ragnarok: The Viking Apocalypse 🇳🇴

RAGNAROK: THE VIKING APOCALYPSE aka Gåten Ragnarok (2013) is a Norwegian Family Adventure Fantasy Film. 1hr 40m 12 Cert U.K. Norwegian, Swedish and Old Norse is spoken. Prime Video

Cast:

Pål Sverre Valheim Hagen as Sigurd Svensen

Nicolai Cleve Broch as Allan

Sofia Helin as Elisabeth

Bjørn Sundquist as Leif

Maria Annette Tanderø Berglyd as Ragnhild

Julian Podolski as Brage

Jens Hultén as Viking King

Vera Rudi as Åsa

Terje Strømdahl as Museum Director

Kyrre Haugen Sydness as Sponsor

Stefan Cronwall as Viking

Premise:

“A Norwegian archaeologist uncovers mysterious runes describing Ragnarok, the Viking legend of the end of the world, and accidentally awakens a giant monster.”

Director:

Mikkel Brænne Sandemose

Writer:

John Kåre Raake

Handy Hints:

In Norse mythology, Jörmungandr, also known as the Midgard Serpent, is a sea serpent, the middle child of the giantess Angrboða and Loki. According to the Prose Edda, Odin took Loki’s three children by Angrboða—the wolf Fenrir, Hel, and Jörmungandr—and tossed Jörmungandr into the great ocean that encircles Midgard.

Review:

Ragnarok: The Viking Apocalypse is a family film and having watched the 12 certificate is correct as there are some pretty scary scenes. Judging this as a family film, it works well. Do not expect this to be about Ragnarok itself, it isn’t. This film is ideal for school holidays with children who can “do” subtitles (there may be a dubbed version out there, somewhere).

Yes, it’s quite predictable in parts and yes, foreshadowing is a bit heavy-handed but those would not put me off watching, especially if there were some tame children around to watch it with me. There are some weak plot points (not a massive spoiler but the rejection by the sponsors is unlikely) and the ending is a bit twee but overall, for the genre it’s a very decent watch.

This movie is not over-reliant on CGI and it is all the better for it. The children are far less irritating than is often the case on such movies. The adults do make some daft decisions but hey, they push the story forwards and it’s all fun (though there WILL be tears before bedtime). Bad people get their comeuppance and the good are well… good. Think Jurassic Park and Indiana Jones and this sits comfortably in the middle.

One aspect I did enjoy was the role reversals from the expected norm. The cast are really solid throughout this, no exceptions, kids as well. They certainly carry off the scenes with CGI with aplomb.

There is some excellent cinematography in this, especially the overhead shots of the lake and inside the caves. It makes you want to visit… well it would were it not for… there be monsters. The sound design is also very good and there is some impressive stunt work.

Awards:

Ragnarok: The Viking Apocalypse won an Amanda Award for Best Visual Effects, a Best Sound Design Award at the Trondheim Film Festival and an Amanda Public Choice Award. It also received several other craft nominations (Editing, Sound and Production Design).

Trailer: