Fantasy Flix: Sam Worthington

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Wrath of the Titans (2012)

Director: Jonathan Liebesman
Writers: Dan Mazeau (screenplay), David Johnson (screenplay)

A decade after his heroic defeat of the monstrous Kraken, Perseus-the demigod son of Zeus-is attempting to live a quieter life as a village fisherman and the sole parent to his 10-year old son, Helius. Meanwhile, a struggle for supremacy rages between the gods and the Titans. Dangerously weakened by humanity's lack of devotion, the gods are losing control of the imprisoned Titans and their ferocious leader, Kronos, father of the long-ruling brothers Zeus, Hades and Poseidon. The triumvirate had overthrown their powerful father long ago, leaving him to rot in the gloomy abyss of Tartarus, a dungeon that lies deep within the cavernous underworld. Perseus cannot ignore his true calling when Hades, along with Zeus' godly son, Ares (Edgar Ramírez), switch loyalty and make a deal with Kronos to capture Zeus. The Titans' strength grows stronger as Zeus' remaining godly powers are siphoned.

Wrath of the Titans is the sequel to 2010's Clash of the Titans. I am fairly sure this movie isn't looked highly upon. But, if you know me at all, you won't be surprised that... frankly, I don't care. I enjoyed this movie as I enjoyed the original (and the original before that).

The tone of Wrath is similar to the first one (or the second one... damn, I'm confused). As before, the sights and sounds are fantastic. If you're looking for CG eye-candy, this movie is god.

More nay-sayers like to poo-poo in Mr. Worthington. I don't think he's a fantastic actor, but he's got something that makes me really enjoy watching him on screen. Jason Statham and Vin Deisel aren't fantastic actors either, but I'll watch everything they make...

The rest of the acting is very good also with great actors like Liam Neeson and Ralph Fiennes. I also quite enjoyed Toby Kebbell as Agenor. He really stole the show for me.

As expected, the action is good and numerous. There's not as much female hotness in this one as Clash, but Rosamund Pike is nice to look at and isn't a bad actress.

Overall, I recommend this as another popcorn actioner. It's not going to win any academy awards, but it's a good movie and deserves a watch.

Verdict: Recommended

The Cast

Sam Worthington ... Perseus

Rosamund Pike ... Andromeda

Toby Kebbell ... Agenor

Liam Neeson ... Zeus

Ralph Fiennes ... Hades

Édgar Ramírez ... Ares

Danny Huston ... Poseidon

Bill Nighy ... Hephaestus

Alejandro Naranjo ... Mantius

Lily James ... Korrina

Sinéad Cusack ... Clea

John Bell ... Helius

Thursday, July 21, 2011

Clash of the Titans (2010)

The mortal son of the god Zeus embarks on a perilous journey to stop the underworld and its minions from spreading their evil to Earth as well as the heavens.

I doubt You really need more of a synopsis than that. Everyone knows clash of the titans.

Director: Louis Leterrier

Writers: Travis Beacham Phil Hay

Does this movie look awesome? Absolutely. Is it Good? Well, yea, it's not bad. It's difficult to overcome the childhood nostalgia of a movie you grew up with and love like the original Clash of the Titans, but I quite enjoyed this movie. It did a pretty damn good job of updating the original and still keep with the the general feel of the original.

There's not a whole lot more I can say about this movie that I didn't already say before, but I'll give it a shot. First, the movie looks and sounds fantastic. The special effects are outstanding.

The story fairly follows the original. You have the Medusa, the Kraken, the scorpions, etc. You even have Bobo, well.. sorta.

The acting is good. Liam Neeson is always terrific. Say what you will about Sam Worthington, but I quite like him. He doesn't have the greatest range in the world, but what he does, he does well. Ralph Fiennes is another terrific actor.

There is also plenty of eye candy in this movie with the absolutely gorgeous Gemma Arterton, and almost as stunning Alexa Davalos. Unfortunately this is no longer the early eighties so we don't get any PG rated nudity in this one.

I highly recommend this film as well as the original. Get over your childhood nostalgia and give this one a try. It won't ever replace the original and it will always be there to enjoy.