The Gods are angry in this cheesy and campy update of an already cheesy and campy movie from 1981. This version of Clash has esteemed actors like Liam Neeson and Ralph Fiennes hamming it up as Gods but the movie has some pretty big flaws to overcome. The pacing and tone are off. The movie isn’t really campy enough and some of the deadly serious speeches are pretty dull and lackluster. Some of the effects are cool (check out those bad-ass giant scorpions) and the score is loud and bombastic but the movie’s center is soft and hollow. Avatar’s “It action star” Sam Worthington is broody and charisma-free. Not much of a replacement for non-actor Harry Hamlin if you ask me. Worthington has some skill and he certainly looks like a physical prescence, but there’s no fun in his performance, no wink to the audience about how ridiculous this whole venture really is.
The Gods are angry because mortal men are defying their will. Zeus is especially mad (though since he favors raping mortal women, he shouldn’t really be giving lessons on morality to his flock) and he’s tricked by Hades to wage war on mortals and destroy the city of Argos. Neeson hams it up as Zeus in glittery and cheesy looking armor but the glazed ham award goes to Ralph Fiennes, hamming it up and babbling in his Voldemort voice, hunching over and overacting wildly. At least they are trying. Sam Worthington couldn’t inspire me to stop eating a cheesesteak, let alone fight a losing battle against the Gods. His speeches are hollow and lack conviction. He was going for Gladiator but winds up a little more Aussie high school musical talent show. The big rule for me always comes down to Medusa. As a massive fan of Greek mythology the rule is that the Medusa scene must be good for the rest of the movie to work. Like the rest, it’s a mixed bag. It’s loud and noisy but Medusa is a total CG creation and for the most part the scene lacks the freshness of Percy Jackson. Percy Jackson was actually a lot more fun and had a clever take on Greek mythology, something this new Clash lacks. The 3-D doesn’t look very good either. You’re fine seeing it in 2D, visually it’s no Avatar.
Clash of the Titans is fitfully entertaining but ultimately disappointing. The campy moments (RELEASE THE KRAKEN!) work best, but the overly earnest, deadly serious tone does nothing for the movie whatsoever and neither does Sam Worthington. He lacks the gravitas of even a Hugh Jackman and has none of the depth of a Christian Bale or Russell Crowe……..but damn, at least those giant scorpions kicked ass.
Grade: C+
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Folkdude01
Apr 9, 2010 -
Really interesting review. Sounds like you more disappointed with it than happy about the ham performances. Release the Blu-Ray this summer, then I’ll see it.
John Spartan
Apr 9, 2010 -
I was really looking forward to this too since I love Greek mythology. I guess I’ll settle with Kevin Sorbo’s Hercules instead.
Coconut
Apr 9, 2010 -
I guess I’ll watch this for the effects then.
Reboot
Apr 10, 2010 -
Im going to watching it for the effects. A friend of mine saw it today, he was saying it should have been called, Clash of persieus, because of the lack of titans.
Great review as usual!
Kilrogg
Apr 12, 2010 -
Percy Jackson’s was 10x better in my opinion.
TShirts
Apr 19, 2010 -
I saw it in 3D and all the way through couldn’t help but think, “There is no reason for this to be in 3D”. It didn’t enhance the experience at all, but probably hindered it wearing glasses.
I agree with pretty much everything you said, the Medussa scene was pretty disapointing.
The guy who played Drco (Mads Mikkelsen) was good as the hard arsed warrior, but the rest of the troop were a little soft.