Clash of the Titans Movie Review
Clash of the Titans Movie Review
Perseus 2010 is the new 24/Jack Bauer.
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B.C., Perseus was the mythic Greek hero who beheaded Medusa and defeated a sea monster called The Kraken in order to rescue the imperiled Princess Andromeda and save the kingdom.
A.D., Perseus returned to the limelight some 30 years ago in the pretty, ringleted guise of actor Harry Hamlin in a big screen toga party filled with romance, adventure and goofy comedy. New millennium, and the hero is back. But this time he's in 3D and actor Sam Worthington has shorn the locks and dropped the sweet smile — Perseus is kicking ass and taking names in Clash of the Titans 2010.
Clash begins with a quick rundown of Perseus' conception, birth and upbringing — born of a mortal queen and the God Zeus (Liam Neeson), the nearly indestructible Demigod is orphaned as an infant and brought up by a kindly couple (Pete Postlethwaite and Elizabeth McGovern) until it's time for him to fulfill his destiny. Which of course — in Greek myth and Hollywood blockbuster-dom — means fighting lots of monsters while wearing next to nothing and spouting quippy one-liners in the face of death.
I won't go into an in-depth comparison between the original film (a showcase for effects legend Ray Harryhausen's cool claymation creations) and this monster mash (super-CGI villains), but I will say that I like both of them. Cynics are A) Saying the 1981 version doesn't hold up on any level anymore, and B) The new version sucks. I don't understand why; maybe those people just don't care for mythic fantasies and no version of Clash would satisfy them anyway. I saw the remake in 2D at a press screening, then I watched the original Clash at home, and a couple of days later I saw the new Clash again in 3D. I enjoyed it every time.
The upgraded monsters and creatures in Clash are really wicked. Gone are some fan faves, but we've still got the stinging scorpions, the three witches and their all-seeing eye, Carron, Pegasus, Medusa the Gorgon, the Kraken, a little tribute to Bubo the owl, and best of all: a terrific tyrant in the God of the Underworld, Hades (Ralph Fiennes). The effects for the fantasy monsters are amazing — I love how Hades travels in a cloud of black smoke and cinders; I appreciate the prettier countenance of Medusa; and I think Pegasus' wings are absolutely awesome.
The acting is on par with an action adventure of this ilk — Worthington plays it stoic (very Jack Bauer like!); Neeson exudes God-like gravitas; Fiennes is pure petulant evil (nicely bringing some Voldemort into the performance); and new character Io, played by Gemma Arterton, is all grace, beauty and smart feminine spark.
Seeing Clash of the Titans 2010 is a great way to get primed for a big summer of popcorn flicks full of fun and adventure. Don't take it too seriously, and you're sure to have a good time with the Gods.
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Reviewed by Staci Layne Wilson