Anderson misses with 'Darjeeling,' while 'Beowulf' falters in 2-D

Precociousness and preciousness have always been primary facets of Wes Anderson films. Beginning with "Bottle Rocket," his movies have mostly featured young white kids of privilege facing overblown and exaggerated existential crises. It was cute at first, especially with frequent star Owen Wilson as co-writer, but "The Darjeeling Limited" (Fox, 2007, R), co-written with star Jason Schwartzman and Roman Coppola, marks the first timeAnderson's stultifying affectations grate more than entertain.

With every immaculately designed tableau, ironic display of venality or slo-mo sequence set to a Kinks song, you kinda just want to throw something at the screen. Even more insulting, "The Darjeeling Limited" presents an over-romantic portrayal of India as source of spiritual absolution that reeks of old Hollywood patronization of people of color. This might have worked as parody, but considering that earnestness is one of the film's greatest

irritants, we can probably safely assume Anderson was actually aiming for something deep in this listless tale of brotherly bonding and self-discovery.

also new this week

"Beowulf" (Paramount, 2007, Not Rated): On the big screen in glorious 3-D, "Beowulf" was every bit the groundbreaking entertainment it promised, its stiff proto-

literary origins and pulpy execution perfectly paired in service of some pretty neat stuff. Alas, in not-so-glorious 2-D, the flick seems over-pumped to such a degree that the small screen can barely support it, and so silly it seems like parody.

Even funnier than the film itself is the collection of making-of materials included with this not-terribly-different director's cut. We get to see such accomplished actors as Anthony Hopkins and Ray Winstone running around in ridiculous cyber-suits, mere vessels for subsequent CGI work. It's a cool process, but only nutty actor Crispin Glover (who plays the monster Grendel) shows much joy embodying a fancy cartoon. Oh, and by the way: Angelina Jolie, whose sexy, scantily clad seductress is a special effect unto herself, is nowhere to be seen in these supplements.

"American Gangster" (Universal, 2007, Not Rated): Ridley Scott is the kind of detail-oriented director who typically gets things right the first time around. Thus, the new "unrated extended edition" of his "American Gangster"is presented not as a substitute for the theatrical version but as a supplement, with the 18 extra minutes of footage adding little to the rote rags-to-riches drug dealer tale.

Indeed, the problem with "American Gangster" is that there's simply not much there to begin with, and larding down all the familiar beats and plot turns with extra material hardly makes the already overstuffed yet still underweight movie any stronger. Blame Scott, perhaps, but also blame stars Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe for coasting on their still-

considerable charisma rather than offering something fresh.