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Wrath of the Titans (2012)

Director: Jonathan Liebesman

Time Out rating

Average user rating

5 reviews

Movie review

From Time Out London

Louis Leterrier’s 2010 ‘Clash of the Titans’ remake was a pinnacle in will-this-do multiplex joylessness, clad as it was in mangy post-converted 3D and narrated by Gemma Arterton with all the Sloaney enthusiasm of a Peter Jones cashier ringing up your purchases. A sequel seemed about as uncalled-for as could reasonably be said of a film that grossed £300 million worldwide, yet here it is, with Sam Worthington’s Aussie-accented demigod Perseus and his beardy superiors, Zeus (Liam Neeson) and Hades (Ralph Fiennes), back to pin Greek mythology to the ground and punch the sense right out of it.

Except this time, in a turn of events more surprising than the script, the results are rather good. Replacing Leterrier with South African journeyman Jonathan Liebesman has righted a world of wrongs: crisper effects, tighter pacing and more inspired casting add up to a sword-and-sandals romp that betters not only its predecessor but even the 1981 original ‘Clash of the Titans’ for engaging and boyish silliness. When Bill Nighy, a welcome addition as shabby god-turned-guide Hephaestus, dryly recalls that Perseus ‘released the Kraken and all that,’ you sense that everyone involved holds the 2010 film in contempt.

A decade older, Perseus has hung up his battle skirt and grown out his fetchingly anachronistic crewcut to live a simple fisherman’s life. But the gods are restless: threatened with losing his immortality, Zeus is again at war, this time with his swarthy turncoat son, Ares (Edgar Ramírez). Cue Perseus picking up his rusty sword, mounting his wing’ed steed and joining forces with Queen Andromeda (Rosamund Pike, a feisty upgrade from Arterton in the love-interest stakes) and surly sidekick Agenor (the excellent Toby Kebbell) to kick all kinds of godly ass. The ensuing good-natured idiocy is tempered with wit and self-awareness: the prospect of further additions to this franchise no longer sounds like divine punishment.

Author: Guy Lodge

Time Out London Issue 2171: Mar 29-Apr 4, 2012

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User reviews of this film

lee mac said...

Posted on Apr 06 2012 17:11 cant belive how bad the film was gods are hard in the film come across weak also no other titans in the film, i think they should of used help from the guys who made god of war games as thats what need to do

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ContraryMary said...

Posted on Apr 02 2012 18:35 @jaycee: are u sure the best bit's not the end - sounds like it from the Time Out review.

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Ian said...

Posted on Apr 01 2012 15:56 "G'day Zeus do ya fancy a tinny?". I am sorry but I can't get past Sam Worthington's most australian Greek since Peter Andre. Considering all of the characters are supposed to be Greeks none of them sound at all alike including a barely understandable general.
Bill Nighy hams it up like he did in Love Actually and Messrs Fiennes and Neeson almost out ham him in a sub Harry Potter Dumbledorathon.
It looks great but there is little plot to join together a number of set piece scenes. Also after a film devoid of on screen chemistry between Worthington and Pike the weak kiss at the end seems an after thought.
Looks good but is an empty vacuum of a film. Less bonza and more boredom.

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jaycee said...

Posted on Mar 31 2012 10:16 Best bit is the creation of the Labyrinth -visual effects team are great. The rest of the film is better than the first too, and a lot better than the awful immortals.

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scrumpyjack said...

Posted on Mar 31 2012 08:33 I kinda liked the hammy first but this is a (small) step up due to the FAR better 3D. Also, liking how this series knows when enough is enough re running times. Highly enjoyable nonsense...that's all! 6+/10

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