The story of Beowulf is an epic in the finest tradition of the Iliad and Odyssey of Homer, and subsequently the Aeneid of Virgil. It has managed to survive to the present day slightly incomplete, but no less great, and is enjoyed (or reviled) by high school English classes across the country. After several film versions that few seem to know or care about, Hollywood has delivered Robert Zemeckis’ computer-animated adaptation of this Old English story, a spectacular sword epic that gives 300 a serious run for its money.

I think everyone knows the basics of this story: Hrothgar (Anthony Hopkins) and the Danes are being terrorized by a monster named Grendel (Crispin Glover), and require the aid of a great hero to save them. Enter Beowulf (Ray Winstone) and his loyal gang of thanes. As sure as the day is long, Beowulf savagely defeats Grendel in combat, but his troubles are far from over when Grendel’s mother (Angelina Jolie) seeks recompense for the loss of her son. After Beowulf meets this conniving demon, things for the hero get infinitely more complicated.

While parts of this story are remarkably faithful to the original tale, since this film is a Hollywood production, it inevitably bears the stamp of Tinseltown. We have the addition of Hrothgar’s beautiful, young wife Wealthow (Robin Wright Penn) as a love interest for the title character. Most notably added is the portrayal of Beowulf as a flawed human being rather than a blameless hero. As great a warrior as he is, our hero is a sucker for a pretty face. This means that Grendel’s mother’s, a demon, assumes the appearance of a naked woman in an attempt to seduce Beowulf leads to some interesting plot developments in the second half of the film, proving that he is not really such a great leader. But the truth is that you love him anyway.

When I saw Shrek the Third this past summer, I though that it was the pinnacle of photorealistic animation. Next to Beowulf, Shrek looks like an episode of South Park. The characters in this film look — for lack of a better word — real. The movements are genuine, facial expressions have subtlety and nuance and every character in this film gives a complete performance. And with a talented cast of voice actors, you believe the illusion all the more. There are times that you completely forget that you are watching a cartoon (Have you ever wondered what a human ass composed of animated pixels looks like? Well you need not wonder anymore.)

When you get past the film’s technical achievements, you remember that this is supposed to be a fun action/adventure movie — and Zemeckis definitely delivers one. For all of the enraged shouting, chest-thumping, and yelling that these hardened warriors do, this movie knows how to have a good time, mining comedic moments everywhere, even in Beowulf’s life-or-death struggle with Grendel. And speaking of fights, this film has them aplenty. Zemeckis captures the chaos, the fear, and the thrills of every battle, putting the audience right in the center of the blood and gore. And the only thing better than watching these pulse-pounding battles on the big screen is watching them on the big screen in 3-D, which I had the good fortune of doing. As if the film did not put you in the action enough, the 3-D version sends limbs, blood and debris all hurtling towards the audience. In 3-D, Beowulf ceases to be a movie and becomes an experience.

The movie is not perfect by a long shot. It drags toward the end, some of the dialogue is dumb, and some of the plot twists may not sit well with Beowulf purists. But in final analysis, Beowulf is a terrific piece of entertainment. It is pure fun, excitement, and some brilliant eye candy.

Run — don’t walk — to see Beowulf. And if you can find a 3-D screening, sprint to see it.