Clash Of The Titans - Review

Last night we saw Clash Of The Titans (3D) at our local cinema.

The original was released in 1981.

I was born in 1980, so that feels like a long time ago.

This remake stars Sam Worthington (his second 3D film release in less than 6 months, the first being Avatar), Liam Neeson, Ralph Fiennes and Gemma Arterton.

My first reaction to the film was that, yes, of course, the special effects were good, especially because it was in 3D. The novelty of 3D has not worn off for me yet. But I suppose that was it. It was good. Not great.

I remember the original, when such feature films were huge and novel. Harry Hamlin, Laurence Olivier and Maggie Smith starred. The effects weren't as slick as nowadays, but it had a magic and a wonder.

I have to say, though, that Mr Worthington, as Perseus, is far more sexy than Mr Hamlin, so a big plus for the 2010 version.








If you don't know, or perhaps you do but you have forgotten, this is the plot. There were powerful beings that existed before time, called Titans. They fathered the Gods of Olympus, that we, nowadays, are familiar with, such as Zeus and Aphrodite. There was a battle, and the younger Gods overthrew the Titans, using a creature created by Hades, called The Kraken.

The Olympians (primarily Zeus) created human beings, so that their prayers could help fuel the Gods' immortality.

However, humans had grown tired of worshipping Gods who seemed to treat them tyranically.

Zeus agrees to allow Hades to unleash the wrath of the Gods, upon humanity, conveying that the Gods had been indeed treating humans with kindness...until now.

Worthington, as Perseus, steps in as a Champion of the people, who just happens to be the son of Zeus.

 Aussie Worthington brings a darker atmosphere to the whole film, portraying angst and turmoil over his Demi-Godhood and losing his mortal family.

Overall, the 2010 version is darker. It is more oppressive. But at times, there are obviously contrived scenes, which stunt the realism this film could achieve. The characters could be so much more authentic.

The scenes I feel are over contrived, are also the ones which seem to be choppy, and not running into each other as smoothly as I would have liked. One scene, for example, sees Perseus being brought to the City of Argos. His captors, soldiers, have him placed in front, setting up a scene between Perseus and the Princess Andromeda. It seemed odd. Worthington's physical placement made it look as though he were actually the leader of this band of men, and not a prisoner. But, it was necessary for the following scene to take place.

Another scene revealed the beautiful Pegasus, and a discussion followed about how no man had ever managed to ride a Pegasus. Well, you know that is then going to happen.

Perhaps what got me over analysing the film, was Worthington. I think there has not been enough time between Clash Of The Titans, and Avatar. I couldn't help but draw parallels, between both his characters, and between different scenes and samples of dialogue.

His performance is good. It isn't fantastic, but it is solid. The script underwhelmed me. I had seen the 1981 release, and knew the plot, but the 2010 release could have dazzled with better dialogue.

Neeson, as Zeus, and Fiennes, as Hades, were both let down by the script. They, again, put in solid performances, but you knew what they would say before they did. And that is a shame.

 If you are looking for an "easy" film, that doesn't take much work on your part, this could be for you. Overall I liked it, but at times felt bored, watching the characters going through the necessary motions in order to get to the next scene.


It wouldn't be a waste of the cost of a cinema ticket, if you fancy seeing this, but you might not feel entirely fulfilled by it. I think it would depend on how much you would like to see Mr Worthington in a short skirt.