The year was 1981. A film that soon became a cult classic was released to the world. That classic was “The Clash of the Titans,” a film that took the breath away of die hard action movie fans, a film that was taken as a great triumph by younger film goers. But once the younger viewers age, so does the spark that a classic left behind. The year is 2010. “Clash of the Titans” makes a return to the silver screen. But does it live up to its past times?
When walking into the movie theatre, I had the mindset that this film was going to be a mix between Zack Snyder’s “300” and “Pan’s Labyrinth.” The story was going to be short and quick, the special effects were going to be overdone, and no one would have time to figure out which characters to like or not. The film gets close to a finish just as you’re starting to realize where the story began. In a way I was right.
Even though I knew how the story was going to play out, I noticed that the film did not give the audience a breather between intense fighting sequences. Don’t get me wrong. I love a good fight movie. But there is more to a film than just how well people can beat the snot out of each other.
This re-imagining has more of a “Troy” and “Gladiator” feel to it. The climax was intense, and the special effects were superb. The film simply lacked character development.
With all of the fighting, and a plot that seems to have been written by someone with massive ADD problems, you’re left with little time to try to feel and understand what the main characters are going through.
But where there was a lack of character development, there is an impressive supporting cast that picks up the slack that is left behind. Liam Neeson, as a terrifying and mighty Zeus, and Ralph Fiennes, as the scary and devious Hades, are the true source as to why this film is worth seeing. Both deliver the most powerful performances of the film, even with little screen time compared to Sam Worthington as the demi-god Perseus.
I have grown to respect Sam Worthington and the work he did on films like “Terminator Salvation” and “Avatar.” But his performance as Perseus here is a mix between Russell Crowe’s Maximus and Brandon Routh’s Superman. Worthington is outstanding when it comes to stabbing people with a sword, but it’s hard to shed a tear for him when he loses his family, due to the lack of an emotional feel to his character.
Even though the character development is non-existent, the plot moves too fast, and there is a lack of actual mythology being used in the film, the CGI is breathtaking. Watching the Kraken rise from the sea will send chills down your back. Seeing large scorpions throwing Perseus across the desert will make your heart race. Even Medusa’s appearance in the film is full of suspense and intensity.
All in all, with its best state of the art fight sequences and amazing CGI, I find that it still does not live up to the legend that started it all back in 1981. But I do believe that the new one is worth spending $10 to see.