Say Sin City Y 300 where the visual game changers in the movie would be a major understatement. Its CGI was specifically designed to reflect the comic book origins of the films (yes, “comic book”, not “graphic novel”), giving them an otherworldly feel that’s somewhat divorced from reality. Cinema is an escapist medium, and that pioneering CGI did a lot to reinforce that state of unreality. immortals, Directed by Tarsem Singh (The cell), follow that trend. It is visually stunning and perhaps one of the best representations of art in motion in recent memory. Many scenes are filmed as if they were paintings come to life. Rich tones of luminescent gold and vibrant crimson red dominate the film, with contrasting shades of darker marble and deep blue, especially to show the difference between the divine (the Greek gods) and the secular (humanity). However, this approach works both for and against the film. Instead of a war of the gods, we are presented with a comic book movie of superheroes dressed in mythological outfits.

The evil Hyperion (a slightly out-of-place Mickey Rourke), a ruler with a grudge against the Green Pantheon, seeks the Epirus Bow, a mythical weapon powerful enough to free his enemies, the Titans, from the bowels of the universe. Mount Tartarus to achieve the destruction of the gods. The gods are forbidden to interfere (although it is never explained why) unless and until the Titans are freed, so Zeus (Luke Evans), disguised as a mortal (John Hurt, doing his best Obi-Wan imitation), prepares to Theseus (Henry Cavill) to lead the world of men for the coming battle. With the help of the virgin Oracle Phaedra (Freida Pinto) and the thief Starvos (Stephen Dorff), Theseus races to get the bow before Hyperion.

The film moves along at a breakneck pace with few dead spots or unnecessary exposition. While this keeps the narrative flowing, it sadly sacrifices character development. Any emotional attachment seems superficial, the closest semblance of it coming in Theseus’ relationship with his mother (Anne-Day Jones), but it is in short supply. Even the necessary love scene between Theseus and Phaedra is superficial. Trevor Morris’s score helps move the story forward, but the only thing it seems to inspire is a foreboding, even in the quiet scenes. Yet it’s virtually indistinguishable from any other generic sheet music, almost sounding like a Tyler Bates riff.

But then, this is not an Ivory Merchant film production. What he sacrifices in emotional weight, he makes up for in stunning visuals, combining CGI and live action. I’ve often said slow-motion bullet time is overused and overrated as a device, but at least here Singh uses it creatively by juxtaposing the fighting styles of the Gods/Titans with those of the human forces. The deadly fight scenes are gritty brutality, while the God/Titan battles are stylized CGI ballets. Kudos to the fight choreographer as well as the sound master. The viewer is made to feel every hit viscerally with or without 3D (the version I watched didn’t have) and there are very few movies in recent memory that invoke that response.

Unfortunately, the Gods give us no reason to encourage their survival. The Greek Pantheon were never featured as saints in literature, so they’re arguably true to form here. And based on Hyperion’s backstory, his actions against them are justified to some degree. Perhaps if Singh had chosen to make the Gods more understanding by explaining why their proverbial hands were tied in human affairs or at least show remorse for their failure to prevent tragedies, the story would be more satisfying. However, it is a missed opportunity. If it wasn’t for the fact that Hyperion is a completely unlikable character, his sympathies could have gone in any direction. Plus, it doesn’t help that the entire Panthenon (and most of humanity in the film) look like they just stepped out of a session at LA Fitness or Bally’s. Yes, they are gods and humans live in a brutal landscape that would generate various degrees of fitness. Yes, if one were an Immortal and had the power to do so, his desire for physical perfection would be a foregone conclusion. Interestingly, the actors don’t project that sentiment. They do not have comfortable ease or ambivalence in their physical perfection. Instead, they strut and pose; especially the gods, who don’t wear the fantastical garments that adorn them (Poseidon’s “Princess Leia” helmet is the most humorously egregious).

Currently, Cavill is “Clark Kent/Superman” in the current shoot. Superman, the man of steel which will be released in 2013. While it may be a bit inappropriate, one cannot help but consider immortals as a hint at what Cavill will bring to the role. With his square jaw and clad in a cape worn similarly to the Man of Steel, Cavill brings an old-fashioned heroic gravitas to his portrayal. However, given the subject matter, there is very little humor in his performance. He shows promise, but sometimes his performance here is an angry note; something that can be attributed to the management. A speech that should have been moving falls short, for example. Cavill tries it with the material he has on hand, but is inconsistent as to his success.

As Hyperion, Mickey Rourke seems lost half the time, while the other half he’s appropriately threatening. But he generally seems bored with the whole thing. There is no real character here; just Rourke doing his patented tough guy stunt transplanted into a mythological setting. The only time he really comes to life is when he’s engaged to Theseus. He may only be there for the paycheck, but when he really matters, he delivers the goods and earns every penny.

At the end, immortals he’s nice to look at, but he takes himself too seriously. Even the recent remake of clash of titans it had moments of humor to offset what passed for drama. If you like a celebration of carnage with copious amounts of throat slitting and gore that comes off better than Technicolor, then this film should satisfy you. In terms of gripping drama and character development, you’d better wait. The Muppets.

Screen test of 300 Light or Superman? Immortals Visually Stunning Though Dramatically Generic

Post navigation


Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *