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review  by dalia di giacomo____   

Louis Leterrier  (The Incredible Hulk) directs “Clash of the Titans” from a screenplay by Travis Beacham and Phil Hay & Matt Manfredi, based on the motion picture “Clash of the Titans,” directed by Desmond Davis and written by Beverley Cross.  The film is produced by Basil Iwanyk and Kevin De La Noy.  The executive producers are Academy Award^® winner Richard D. Zanuck (“Driving Miss Daisy”) and Legendary Pictures’ Thomas Tull, Jon Jashni and William Fay.

The behind-the-scenes team includes director of photography Peter Menzies, Jr., production designer Martin Laing, editor Martin Walsh, editor Vincent Tabaillon, Academy Award^®-winning costume designer Lindy Hemming (“Topsy-Turvy”) and composer Ramin Djawadi.  Also serving on the creative team are Oscar^®-nominated visual effects supervisor Nick Davis (“The Dark Knight”); Oscar^®-nominated prosthetics supervisor Conor O’Sullivan (“The Dark Knight,” “Saving Private Ryan”); Academy Award^®-winning special effects and animatronics supervisor Neil Corbould (“Gladiator”); Academy Award^®-winning makeup and hair designer Jenny Shircore (“Elizabeth”); and Academy Award^®-winning production sound mixer Ivan Sharrock (“The Last Emperor”).  

Born to kill the Kraken

Leterrier's "Clash Of The Titans" is all in all a spectacular movie, an epic film to enjoy in 3D, but also and maybe more in 2D. Not that the 3 D version is uninteresting, but actually i don't understand the 3D re-elaboration when the  normal screening would have been equally imposing. I like when mythologic stories become material for filmmaking because mythology is a vehicle triggering interest in history and humanistic culture through "magical" heroes and adventures. In particular the young generations should not miss a rendez-vous with this film. “It’s a big, fun adventure, a big escapist movie, and I love escapist movies,” director Louis Leterrier says.  “The story is heroic, it’s mythic, it’s romantic, it’s about fulfilling your destiny."

But From the critic point of view, besides good characteristics, "Clash of the Titans" suffers from some defects which impediscono this movie to be that ultimate incredible event it was supposed to be. To tell the truth it is not even easy to write an objective review because there are so many good and even breathtaking moments along with minus points and everything is merged that, at the end of the film you will remain satisfied but not 300% enthralled. You will get the feeling that something has been missed, but hardly you can identify what it is. So i can tell my opinion but i'm sure each of you will get different impressions, spanning from negative to very positive ones. But , this alone, makes the film already interesting, isn't it?

The movie is not a true remake of 1981's Clash Of The Titans directed by .... with Ursula Andress among others. This Clash Of The TItans is more a kind of reinterpretation of the above mentioned  film with a majestic use of visual effects, great vistas and all monsters that make Perseus' quest a true challenge. There is a beautiful Photography, there are memorable landscapes and scenes. The plot is around the  Greek mythological story of Perseus, half man and half god, son of Zeus, a anti-hero demigod as this movie portrays him. So, what's wrong? Well, first off the film reminds too much of Scorpion King and 300  in some costumes or special effect and is penalized by the too near release of "Percy Jackson" which has delivered actions with the same gods and many similar monsters. But this is not so relevant, more relevant is on the contrary that some actors don't show the necessary depth. Sam Worthington, after the big success in Avatar) doesn't convince here, he has a minimalist approach, although his duty was actually to play the role of the antihero, a  man that was risen up as fisherman, that has lost his putative family, in silent rage and that didn't know his identity. He will lead a dangerous mission to save the town Argos (and Argos ' princess Andromeda)  as man, and finally he will find more confidence with his true father Zeus and his demigod nature. “Perseus is a simple fisherman when you first meet him, he leads a simple life,” notes Worthington.  “But circumstances throw him on this quest to avenge his family’s death at the hands of the gods.  Apart from the epic nature of the film, what really appealed to me was the idea of family—of fathers trying to reacquaint themselves with sons, sons wanting to know why fathers don’t love them or why they rejected them, as well as brothers of a sort bonding on different levels.”  

But even worse in my opinion is Io, Gemma Arterton (“Quantum of Solace”), Perseus’  spiritual guide throughout his journey, who will be resurrected by Zeus at the very end. A quite pale performance . It's true:  Io should represent a kind of mystical angel, a protection, an inspiration.  But i find the performance as pale not for those reasons.I think that Bond's girls should remain Bond's girls at least untill they become good actresses.

Finally, the Medusa. Perseus, that will be always remembered as the killer of the Medusa, will face the monster in a wonderful liar. The fight is quite intense and i like this Medusa similar to a basilisk, with the tail of a giant serpent and humanoid torso, only cannot top Uma Thurman...

But now i would add an excursus in what i like in this movie, in what  makes the film more than agreeable and will grab the audience. There is really a sense of rebellion, human being against gods and god Hades against Zeus. The movie begins with a great cosmic approach describing how the Gods of Olympus won their war against  the Titans. Hades, Lord of the Underworld, is perfectly embodied by a great  Ralph Fiennes.  Liam Neeson is a great Zeus too. A Zeus that needs the worship of his creatures and that , after all can do all what he wants: destruction, love and opportunism, a rogue able to pay any cost but not the life of a son.  The rebellion between gods and Argos begins when Zeus, disguising himself as King Acrisius, sleeps with Danae,  King’s wife.  The King is furious and throws wife and divine conception into the see in a coffin. Details that let remind of Merlin's Pendragon and Moses washed ashore. Zeus hits Acrisius and turns him into this deformed creature Calibos that Hades will then manipulate for his purposes. Perseus survives and is rescued by the fisherman, Spyros (Pete Postlethwaite) and will become fully part of his adoptive family. But the war to the gods  will be definitively declared years later when soldiers of Argos destroy a giant statue of Zeus, on that occasion Perseus' boat will sink and he will loose his family. Brought To Argos he will witness Queen Caasiopeia's death and a fearful attack of Hades. There he will be revealed his true identity and will begin his mission with Draco, captain of the royal guards and his men. Draco is another figure that is perfectly embodied, as well as the luxury of Argos royal entourage who compares itself to the gods.   “Draco is a body man to the princess and a former warrior who’s heading toward retirement,” says Mads Mikkelsen, who plays the part.  “He knows the Kraken can’t be killed, so when he gets this final task to go with Perseus, he’s not happy about it, but his training makes him the best man for the job.”Producer Basil Iwanyk states, “Perseus is essentially collateral damage in the war between man and the gods.  He stumbles into Argos, the cradle of civilization in ancient Greece, which is crumbling at the hands of the very gods who killed his family.  And that’s where he discovers who he really is.”  

Hades is suggesting  Zeus to allow him to handle things, to tteach a lesson to man, Zeus agrees at the point that he will give the "nuclear" order: Release the Kraken!". But Hades in reality doesn't want to help his brother, he wants a place in heaven and that human fear which is supposed to bring back prayers to Zeus makes Hades only stronger “Liam’s physicality was perfect for the part,” Iwanyk states of the actor.  “He’s big, he’s strong, he has that great, authoritative voice, but he has a very sweet face and very emotional eyes.  The Zeus that we conceived is king of the gods and very powerful, but he’s also hurt; he’s thrown, he’s confused, he’s gone soft..." 

“Ralph is not what you would consider a physically imposing man,” producer Iwanyk says, “but he has an ability to convey tremendous intensity, rage and strength.  He wanted to bring this incredibly terrifying, unique character to the screen, and he did. Hades and Zeus have a very complicated relationship onscreen, because they are not just adversaries, they are brothers.  Ralph and Liam’s friendship really added to that dynamic.”

“The gods are in a state of emergency,” states Fiennes, “and Hades walks onto Olympus, with its vast marble hall set up high in the clouds, and sees what he has been missing being down below with the damned and the dead for so long.  And he isn’t a god of compassion.  He’s been betrayed by Zeus, and he figures it’s his turn now.  So he goes to the city of Argos and demonstrates his wrath and his power over them.  He demands the sacrifice that ultimately sends Perseus on his expedition.”  

As notorious, In this movie there are spectacular creatures, sinister monsters as the giant Scorpiochs, unholy subjects like witches and the Ferry-man, Harpies, Medusa and the Kraken. And the winged Pegasus too, “The problem with flying horses is that horses don’t fly,” Davis says.  “So you’re immediately overcoming a lot of aerodynamic problems in order to make it look natural.”. But  important and well conceived are the costumes too. “I designed several different styles of armor, and most importantly very sturdy leg and arm guards,” Hemming says.  “All of the armor, both metal and leather, was intended to look as though it had been used extensively in the wars preceding the beginning of the story". gods don't wear  togas.  Hemming recalls that “he wanted them in armor because they are at war, and they are fighting the people down on earth.  They must look superhuman.” on the contrary, concerning Argos Argos, Hemming says, “The people are living a very decadent life, so I decided it should look like a Versace party I used all natural silks and cottons, hand-pleated and dyed to pale apricots, creams, peaches, yellows and pinky terracottas, with lots of handmade gold jewelry.”  

“Hades has worn armor ever since he was sent to the underworld, right after the battle with the Titans,” the director notes  “But his armor has been corroded, eaten away by sulfur, so it’s in pieces, but he still wears it.  And his cape is infused with the cries of a thousand souls.  It’s made out of pure smoke and dust and pain and blood.”

review by dalia di giacomo

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