Gods and monsters The sequel “Battle of the Titans” famously surpassed the first part (which was not so difficult), turned out to be an incredibly spectacular and cool film, and at the same time, perhaps, the best variation on the theme of gods and heroes of antiquity over the past few decades, second only to quite old-school thematic pictures. At the same time, the second film is staged as if the first almost never happened. In the prologue there is no cutting of the past, there is a very brief mention of Kraken and Io, who do not affect the events of the picture.
The change of director and casting replacements went incredibly well for the film, as well as corrected many shortcomings and mistakes of the film Laterier. Wortinton with a curly head is much more successful in embodying Perseus on the screen, Liam Neeson is no longer dressed in shameful foil, and Ralph Fiennes is not a decrepit old man falling apart. The performances of Zeus and Hades are categorically different, and Persus’ enmity with Vladyka Tartarus about the deceased family is completely patched and removed, as if the first film and its events did not exist at all! Like Libesman shot a sequel not to the wretched picture of Louis Laterier, but the continuation of the very first “Battle of the Titans” of 81, where the plot was in complete order and the characters were presented as it should be, as here!
Despite the absence of many gods (for some reason mentioned in the credits, did they cut scenes with them from the film?), the set that is in the plot is really colossal and powerful. Zeus and Hades succeeded in very controversial strong personalities, to observe the transformation of which, as well as the acting presentation of images, is very interesting. Danny Huston is very good at Poseidon, although he was not really allowed to open up here, but Ares from Rodgar Ramirez is simply delightful and downright perfect! Rosamund Pike in the role of warlike Andromeda is incomparable, you can shoot a whole spin-off about the battle with any other creatures. Well, Bill Nighy in the small role of Hephaestus - the fallen god, generally incredibly decorates the picture with the madness and knowledge of his hero.
It is not entirely clear why it was necessary from somewhere to dig up the unknown Agenor, a wildly stereotyped thief-humorist as a fellow traveler, whose exploits and adventures are not so great as the tales of Heracles, Odysseus, Jason, Theseus - you could take into the plot someone really great, but for some reason in the franchise all the heroic deeds do it is Perseus. It is necessary to oppose Kronos, and the Minotaur to win, and to fight with the Cyclops, or even to strangle the Nemean Lion, but for the Golden Fleece to go ...
In this case, the main thing is not to relate to the plot from the point of view of comparison with Greco-Roman legends. Even the original “Battle of the Titans” of 1981 quite freely treated the myth of Perseus and Medusa, and what a masterpiece! Not like the production of a talentless Latterrier in 2009... But Jonathan Libesman, who has proven himself to be a great “Battle for Los Angeles”, proved that he is a great director! Starting with good horror films and migrating to large blockbusters, he masterfully shows his talent, towering above a fairly large number of artisans of Hollywood, but the masterpiece has not been removed so far.
The Wrath of the Titans is a strong, beautiful movie, but not perfect. Here very abstractly and controversially spelled out the theme of the death of the gods and dependency on faith (for example, at first Zeus complains that he stopped praying, and he becomes weaker, and when he is at death at Perseus does not have the ingenuity to raise the entire army of many thousands to pray to Zeus, in order to give him strength, but with regard to the belief of soldiers in the head of Olympus – their reaction to his appearance in their camp faith is perfectly reflected).
Also, it is impossible not to scold the frank drain of the Minotaur, exhibited here quite some helpless, deprived of screen time and almost not shown entirely in the frame, except for a couple of close-up plans of the muzzle. Well, a very indistinct finale - the scene of Perseus' conversation with his son, somehow without the proper pathosy completion of the picture on a high note, the scene turned out to be completely unnecessary, they could finish on Perseus' kiss with Andromeda.
However, if the Minotaur in this picture is a pitiful sight less than a minute on the screen (and even the appearance is inferior even to the Chronicles of Narnia and Percy Jackson, having been in the plot of similar monsters), then the rest of the monsters were successful! Most amazing of all is the first – Chimera! Three heads, a living tail, breathing with fire - and a beautiful quality of special effects appearance. A living and dangerous creature, though not according to the classical description with a lion's snout, a goat's head and a snake tail, but much more demonic and terrible, with really different heads and another terrible mouth on the tail!
Perfectly successful Cyclops, presented here not in a single copy. With them, by the way, the plot turns out a very original plot part, not expected when viewing. The two-bodied demon warriors of Makai, unknown as they got into the film and very little figure in myths, are also perfectly served, adding massacres and action to the visual range. Well, the giant titan Cronus himself, made of lava, is epic, believable and colossally represented by a sea of beautiful special effects!
Libesman made an epic and stunning film on mythology, where gods and monsters are presented in a very impressive light, the plot is very interesting to watch, and the cast (after shameful images of the first picture) gives in “The Wrath of the Titans” incredibly chic and vivid images! The sea of action and special effects, battles and battles, entertaining flights of the camera through the mythological world, brilliantly executed in the smallest details. Excellent cinema, for all fans of abundant action on the screen and spectacular adventures!
8 IZ 10
Original