Wrath of the Titans

Film

Fantasy films

Time Out rating:

<strong>Rating: </strong>3/5

User ratings:

<strong>Rating: </strong>2/5
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Time Out says

Wed Mar 28 2012

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

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Release details

UK release:

Fri Mar 30 2012

Duration:

106 mins

Cast and crew

Director:

Jonathan Liebesman

Cast:

Sam Worthington, Liam Neeson, Ralph Fiennes

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Comments & ratings

Rated as: 2/5 (6 ratings)

  • This was just as good as the first one. I enjoyed the fact that it shows throughout the story that the Gods have weaknesses and at the end if the day even Hades wants to save his brother. The director could have put more time into the journey in the underworld..fighting the minotaur just seemed to easy and then the God who played the fallen has the wrong accent. What's up with that and I really looked forward to see Athena..thet did have a badass female role after all leading the whole army so why not have Athena in the war!

    Michelle Bruce Wed Aug 8 2012
    Rated as: 4/5
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  • What utter goofiness altering Greek myth of gods and sloppily throwing in a grab-bag of Greek legend like Cyclops and Minotaur! Could the Minotaur have also encountered Perseus? Well, he's got a life ya know. It all comes across like WWE tag-team wrestling in the end instead of an epic mythical conflict. Thankfully gross Gemma Arterton and her useless character wasn't in this one. Rosamund Pike remains exquisite but I wondered until the end about her character's orientation. I also thought Alexa Davalos did a nice a job in the 2010 Clash of the Titans. Again not enough Athena (or any that I noticed except in one deleted scene) - only my favorite goddess! But the producers made big, big money so what do I know? I actually enjoyed John Carter! I guess I'm the only one.

    Jason Daniel Baker Fri Jul 13 2012
    Rated as: 1/5
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  • 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

    lee mac Fri Apr 6 2012
    Rated as: 1/5
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  • @jaycee: are u sure the best bit's not the end - sounds like it from the Time Out review.

    ContraryMary Mon Apr 2 2012
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  • "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.

    Ian Sun Apr 1 2012
    Rated as: 2/5
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  • 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.

    jaycee Sat Mar 31 2012
    Rated as: 3/5
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  • 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

    scrumpyjack Sat Mar 31 2012
    Rated as: 3/5
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