Mortal

A European (Norwegian) superhero movie we say yes right away, it changes us from the American blockbusters that have been feeding us Iron Man and other Captain Patriots for years without blowing our minds. Is that enough to make a good film, that's what we're going to see.

André Øvredal Ovredal after several American productions brings his cameras back to Norway to deliver us a fantastic story against the backdrop of Nordic mythology. The story begins in the middle of the forest under a pouring rain where we discover Eric Bergland, a young Norwegian-American adult, played by Natt Wolff, living like a hermit, with a long beard, shaggy hair and camping equipment. We will then learn that he has been hiding in this way for three years, following an unresolved drama that occurred three years ago and for which he knows he is responsible without being able to explain it. Then the things accelerate very quickly, following a new drama, Eric finds himself locked up and the young psychiatrist Christina will be called to help the police to better define the character, we will understand at this moment that the emotions of Eric are the catalyst of his powers that he does not master, will follow a manhunt through the fjords and mountains of Odda until the final revelations tinged with Nordic folklore.

If the dark European style, less watered down than the American productions, quickly makes us want to plunge into this story and the Norwegian Fjords and wild landscapes are sublimated through the director's lens, the story itself, although well done, remains paved with the small white pebbles faithful to the Young-adult film, misunderstood and rejected hero looking for his place in the world, unexpected help that will turn very quickly to the idyll without really knowing why and especially the nasty American secret services whose presence in the final will never really be understood.

The last third of the film pulls off its best by plunging us directly into the heart of the subject, Nordic mythology, its legends and Gods, the darkness and gravitas that the turn of events takes would have served the entire film well if it had been introduced earlier in the course of the story, it could have avoided Percy Jackson in the land of Chronicle.

To sum up, Mortal remains a good entertainment and even if it doesn't renew the genre has the merit to make us travel in unknown lands to discover legends too often mishandled. The action scenes are well done and the special effects are mastered. Why does this final credits cut in full action the final scene, a sequel or perhaps to give free rein to our imagination?... . Make your choice.

Mortal (Torden)
Written and directed by André Øvredal
Produced by Rory Aitken, John Einar Hagen, Brian Kavanaugh-Jones, Ben Pugh
With Nat Wolff, Priyanka Bose, Iben Akerlie, Arthur Hakalahti
Music by Marcus Paus
Cinematography: Roman Osin
Editing : Patrick Larsgaard
Distributor : Wild Side (France), Saban Films (USA)
Release date: February 28, 2020 (Norway), September 2, 2020 (France), November 6, 2020 (USA)
Running time : 100mns

Viewed on November 1 2020 (screener press)

Tibogla's Mark:

While Marvel Studios and DC Entertainment lead the way in terms of superhero movies, relying on huge budgets that allow them to benefit from renowned directors, enticing cast and spectacular special effects, it is always refreshing to discover smaller productions that try to be original and approach the superhero world in a different way. Mortal (Torden) marks the return to Norway after two very successful American horror films (The Jane Doe Identity (2016) and Scary stories (2019)) by the director of The Troll Hunter.

During his stay in the United States, director and screenwriter André Øvredal benefits in the lead role from the presence of actor Nat Wolff (The Fault in Our Stars (2014), The Fault in Our Stars (Paper Towns) (2015), Death Note (2017)) but also from a desire to have better control of his work. This freedom and his mastery as a storyteller is felt not only in the care he takes in photography but also in his thrifty use of special effects. After an opening scene that will recall by its approach the same one advocated by the X-men saga, we discover Eric, a young Norwegian-American who has taken refuge far from society after having unfortunately caused a fire that cost the lives of several people. He possesses strange powers and does not know how to control them. He finds himself being chased by the police and has no other solution than to flee.

Once again, director André Øvredal reveals that he is not only an outstanding storyteller but also knows how to create a real atmosphere. His film benefits not only from a scenario with multiple twists and turns, but also from special effects that are perfectly balanced and brought to life. Above all, the film revisits ancient Nordic mythology. His film will remind some people of a Marvel hero while remaining close to the folklore of the Scandinavian countries. One can hardly imagine what a Marvel studios film by André Øvredal could give after seeing this film. While the film The New Mutants is a total disappointment, Mortal easily imposes itself as an intelligent approach to mutants. Add to this the beauty of the natural landscapes and you will get one of the best video releases of the moment.

Mortal (Torden)
Written and directed by André Øvredal
Produced by Rory Aitken, John Einar Hagen, Brian Kavanaugh-Jones, Ben Pugh
With Nat Wolff, Priyanka Bose, Iben Akerlie, Arthur Hakalahti
Music by Marcus Paus
Director of photography: Roman Osin
Editing: Patrick Larsgaard
Distributor: Wild Side (France)
Release date: February 28, 2020 (Norway), September 2, 2020 (France)
Duration: 100mns

Viewed on August 23, 2020 (screener press)

Mulder's Mark: