Film Review
With its star studded cast, riveting epic story and unrivalled special
effects,
Clash of the Titans
was one of the most popular and well-regarded fantasy films of the
1980s, recouping its 15 million dollar production cost three times.
It remains a highly watchable entry in a genre that has gone
from strength to strength since the advent of computer generated
special effects. Back in 1981, when the film was first seem,
computer effects were still in their infancy so most of the techniques
used on this film are refinements of what had been around since the
1930s, principally stop motion animation orchestrated by legendary
effects guru Ray Harryhausen. Whilst some of the effects
look a little creaky by today's standards, most are stunning, and
whatever imperfections there are in the quality of the effects are
rendered virtually invisible by the film's other artistic strengths.
The main attraction of this film is not Laurence Olivier in a badly
fitting toga or Ursula Andress doing her goddess of love thing (no type
casting here) but the glorious array of brilliantly conceived monsters
that parade across the screen, thrilling and delighting audiences of
all age groups. From the cute robotic owl (who is suspiciously
reminiscent of R2-D2 from the
Star Wars films) to flying
monstrosities, a gruesome multiple limbed Kraken and a terrifying
(literally petrifying) Gorgon with flaring eyes, the weird and
wonderful menagerie dominates the film to such an extent that it is
easy to lose sight of the human protagonists (which is just as well, as
they are far less interesting).
Whilst it doesn't quite have the visual poetry of similar fantasy epics
such as
The 7th Voyage of Sinbad (1958)
and
Jason and the Argonauts (1963),
Clash of the Titans is an
enjoyable romp that is easily one of the best introductions to Greek
legend that cinema has so far given us. Unlike the lacklustre
2010 remake, which seeks merely to impress with its special effects,
this film employs its effects intelligently to bring to life one of the
greatest epic fantasies of all time, an unforgettable story of heroism
and bravery featuring a dazzling array of extraordinary mythical
beasts. Thanks to the genius of Ray Harryhausen, you'll believe a
horse can fly.
© James Travers 2011
The above content is owned by filmsdefrance.com and must not be copied.
Film Synopsis
The Greek god Zeus is outraged when King Acrisius of Argos sends his
daughter Danaë and her newborn son Perseus out to sea in a sealed
coffin. The father of Perseus, Zeus saves him by guiding the
coffin to the island of Seriphos, where the boy will grow into a strong
and noble hero. He also takes his revenge on Acrisius by flooding
his city with the aid of the terrifying sea monster, the Kraken.
Now a man, Perseus is transported to the city of Joppa, where he
encounters the beautiful Princess Andromeda. Each evening, the
spirit of the sleeping Andromeda is taken to Calibos, the man who was
to marry her but who was transformed into a hideous monster when his
mother, the sea goddess Thetis, angered the god Zeus. Andromeda
refuses to yield to Calibos and must instead watch her suitors perish
in fire when they fail to solve the riddle they are set. Perseus,
madly in love with the princess, defeats Calibos with the help of the
flying horse Pegasus. Before he can claim Andromeda as his own,
the vengeful Thetis threatens to send the Kraken to destroy Joppa
unless the princess is sacrificed to the sea beast. Having
outwitted the cannibalistic Stygian witches, Perseus discovers that the
only way to defeat the Kraken is by getting it to look upon the face
of the Gorgon Medusa, a monstrous snake-like apparition who gaze will
transform any living thing to stone. Perseus is about to face his
greatest challenge...
© James Travers
The above content is owned by filmsdefrance.com and must not be copied.