Review: Clash Of The Titans

Apr 06, 2010

Written by: Dee Pilgrim

One of the big problems with ancient Greek mythology is trying to keep the family connections between all the gods, the demi-gods and the mortals straight.

That’s why the first 15 minutes of this latest 3D epic is spent explaining who all the characters are and how they are related to each other.

The simple version is that Perseus (Sam Worthington), the half-mortal son of chief god Zeus (Liam Neeson), must slay the mighty monster the Kraken sent by Hades (Ralph Fiennes) to teach the uppity citizens of Argos a lesson, in order to secure the future of mankind. He is helped on his quest by a band of warriors led by Draco (Mads Mikkelsen) and by Io (Gemma Arterton) his mystical guide.

In fact, it’s only when Perseus’s quest begins that this film actually kicks into life with some very good special effects and fight scenes that absolutely fill the screen.

Not only must Perseus slay the Kraken (the film’s grand finale) but he also has to battle a man monster (Jason Flemyng), behead Medusa, consult with the hideous Stygian witches, and try to conquer a bunch of giant armoured scorpions. This scene is highly reminiscent of the scene in Transformers where a giant scorpion wreaks havoc in the desert, but it is technically well done and certainly has thrill power. However, the most impressive special effect in the movie is that of the mighty Pegasus, Perseus’s winged horse, depicted here with a huge wing span, flaring nostrils and giant stamping hooves.

Amid all the sword-wielding scenes there’s little scope for fleshing out the characters, most of whom are killed off before we can get to know them, while a nascent relationship between Perseus and Io is never fleshed out. Meanwhile, Sam Worthington’s Ozzie twang sits ill at ease with his leather sandals and mini toga.

Although this is far superior to the 1981 film it’s based on, it is workman-like rather than being inspired; 101 minutes that will hold your attention while you’re watching but will probably disappear from your memory the minute the end credits run.

Author: Dee Pilgrim

Dee always knew she wanted to make her living from writing and so trained as a journalist before working for a variety of music and women’s titles including Sounds, Company, Cosmopolitan, Ms London, New Woman, and Girl About Town. After going freelance she concentrated on celebrity interviews and film, theatre, music and restaurant reviews. Her love of film goes back to her very first cinema experience at the age of five when her mother took her to see Bambi. She cried. At one time she was the Film Editor for NOW magazine and also the secretary for the film section of the Critics’ Circle and the celebrity coordinator for its annual film awards’ event. She has written a number of books for teenagers through Trotman Publishing, including five Real Life Guides to vocational careers (including Carpentry, Plumbing and Catering), and also three books on Real Life Issues (Money, Bereavement and Self Harm). Her favourite film is still Bladerunner.