Top billing must go to digital animators and special effects wizards for Clash of the Titans, a majestic, epic quest filled with slimy monsters, heroic humans and Greek gods. It's the monsters who most fascinate us in this enjoyable action adventure directed by Louis Leterrier (The Incredible Hulk).
2D or 3D? The first thing action fans will ponder is, which version should we see? Save your $5. "Added as an afterthought in postproduction, the 3D barely registers," writes Kirk Honeycutt in the Hollywood Reporter. "It is nothing but Warner Bros.' scheme to fleece an extra $3 or $4 million from the moviegoer's pocket," advises Richard Corliss of Time.
Hero and demigod Perseus (a disappointingly low-key Sam Worthington of Avatar) must embody both human and divine to defeat the egotistical gods and secure man's control over his own destiny. Meanwhile the masses struggle to survive paltry fish catches, floods and earthquakes.
In a divine tiff, the infant Perseus was disowned by his father Zeus and jettisoned to earth in a coffin with his mother. She perished but he survived, to be raised by the kindly fisherman Spyros (the late Pete Postlethwaite).
Zeus (majestic, agitated Liam Neeson) later throws a fit on Mount Olympus as his statue is toppled in Greece. Ralph Fiennes plays the delightful spitfire Hades. He will shake up the mortals if given the go-ahead to release . . . the Kraken.
Avoiding camp, the serious actors along with their digital foes make Clash of the Titans satisfying if not awe-inspiring.
With Zeus' blessing, Hades begins the retribution. Larger than life in a foul, black cloud, he bellows as pterodactyls pick off the offenders. Perseus loses his entire family in the fray as their boat sinks.
Rescued by the king's men, Perseus is recognized as a demigod and eventually chosen to lead the warriors. His fetching guardian angel Io (Gemma Arterton from Quantum of Solace) advises.
Clash of the Titans treats us to giant scorpions, a winged black horse Pegasus, and a ghoulish boat ride across the River Styx to the lair of Medusa. Titans is a computer generated reimagining of Ray Harryhausen's Clash of the Titans (1981) starring Laurence Olivier.
The best monster by far is Medusa, whose gaze will turn any man to stone. Dig her deep laugh, slithering body, hairdo of live snakes, and face of Russian supermodel Natalia Vodianova. Perseus must slay Medusa in order to defeat Hades.
The final battle erupts in Argos where the fearsome Kraken is released. Princess Andromeda (Alexa Davalos) has been strung up, willing to sacrifice herself. Mads Mikkelsen (Flame and Citron) plays the manly Draco, a skeptic who comes to respect Perseus.
If you like Clash of the Titans, you might enjoy: The Eagle.
Clash of the Titans 2010 / PG-13 / 1 hr, 58 mins
Cast Overview: Sam Worthington, Alexa Davalos, Liam Neeson, Ralph Fiennes, Danny Huston, Gemma Arterton, Jason Flemyng, Tine Stapelfeldt, Mads Mikkelsen
Director: Louis Leterrier
Genres: Action and Adventure, Fantasy, Adventure
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