Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Movie Review - Clash of the Titans

We went and saw Clash of the Titans this last weekend.  I'm usually a bit of film snob but will make exceptions for the latest big-budget sci-fi/fantasy flicks.  Plus, Alex has been reading the Percy Jackson books and thus has a new found fascination with Greek mythology.  As in the 1981 version of the movie, the story is based on the myth of Perseus, son of Zeus.  It follows him battling Medusa, Hades, the Kraken, etc.

Those that don't like the new movie because they are nostalgic for the "original" need to gets some perspective. Have they watched the earlier one lately? It has a certain campy charm, but it is hardly the Godfather.  I mean ... honestly, is that Land of the Lost?



L.A. Law actor Harry Hamlin played Perseus in that version.  That gives you some idea how high-brow it was.

Some of the dialogue in the new movie is cringe-worthy. There's the obligatory Braveheart ("They can never take our freedom!") / Aragorn-at-the-gates-of-Mordor speech.  But that kind of corn is almost expected and doesn't necessarily detract from the movie.

But the cast is good: Liam Neeson as Zeus, Sam Worthington as Perseus and Ralph Feinnes as Hades. But it's a bit creepy how Feinnes brings just a bit too much Voldermort and Amon Goeth to the role (this movie is a reunion of sorts with Schindler actor Neeson). Gemma Arterton (Quantum of Solace and the upcoming Prince of Persia) is very attractive as Io.

The special effects are fine.  We saw it in 2D, as I want to make of point of only seeing those movies in 3D that were actually designed that way, not done afterwards, as Clash was.

Also, is it just me, or is the Kraken in the new movie just Rancor from Return of the Jedi?


The movie certainly embellishes the myth of Perseus, but isn't that the point?  The myth itself is fabricated and has been embellished for time eternal.  There is no over-arching theme or attempt to give Titans some modern context, at least none that I could gather.  But that's OK.  Sometimes, you just go to a movie to have fun.  And ... we had fun.  A pleasant diversion.  Grade:  B-

4 comments:

wstachour said...

Good to read an overview of it. I don't imagine I'll see it, but at least I know it's not a total toss-off.

dbackdad said...

Yeah, it's definitely nothing earth-shattering, but it was a fun flick with the kid.

CyberKitten said...

It could've been much worse - like the original! Thought Sam Worthington was pretty good, I liked the Medusa bit and the visualisation of Mount Olympus.... Most of the rest was average to poor, but then again I am a harsh critic [grin]

download movies said...

I also went to watch this movie with my family with great hope and was expectation it would be a great blockbuster movie. But all my hope failed as it was not that much good as we have thought, still we had fun watching this movie.