Clash of the Titans (2010) & Sequel Review

Clash of the Titans (2010) On 11 December 2014, I wrote: “How can you make such bad remakes when you have everything to do well? The old one has aged well… but still remains beyond this one. The lead actor has no charisma whatsoever. He’s bland and irritating, to boot. Only the special effects, as if by chance, are worth a look. It would have taken the direction and atmosphere of the old days combined with the special effects of today to make an excellent film.” Perhaps Liam Neeson and Ralph Fiennes should be kept, but definitely Sam Worthington should be removed.

On 22 February 2018, I had reviewed the film again and this time wrote: “It’s amazing how important mindset is when watching a film! I’ve just seen my review that I wrote for this film when it had just been released in the big cinemas.I hated it. And yet I’ve just seen it again and I really liked it!But I don’t understand: why is it that when I saw it on the big screen in 3D, I was bored out of my mind, whereas here, on my little computer screen, I thoroughly enjoyed it?At the time, I couldn’t stop comparing this version to the old one, which was one of my cult films. Just as I did with The A-Team, which I also really enjoyed the second time round. Two films starring the excellent Liam Neeson, who has extraordinary charisma… and Ralph Fiennes even more so! They’re not the problem in the next opus, which is as boring as ever.At the time, I thought Sam Worthington was a bad actor who gave off nothing, at least nothing positive. I changed my mind when I saw him again. In the end, he fits the role quite well.”

As for Gemma Arterton, it’s good to see her here, but there’s nothing extraordinary about her.Yet she’ll be missed in the next film.Amazing! Pretty amazing, isn’t it?

Compared to the 1981 film, there’s no talking statue here after her head falls off, and she’s not the one announcing the coming of the Kraken,Calibos is even uglier here (without wishing to offend the soul of the former actor who died in ‘85… RIP), and he doesn’t replace his severed hand with a little pitchfork,what’s more, it’s his blood that creates the giant scorpions (he doesn’t put a hole in Medusa’s head with a mini pitchfork!),

The scorpions are far more numerous and can be tamed,There’s no helmet here to make you invisible, but there’s a nod to the owl!There are plenty of flying horses, but they haven’t all been slaughtered like in the old version, and Pegasus isn’t the same colour either.The Kraken’s uglier too!In fact, everything’s uglier, even though we’re at the cutting edge of aesthetics. Even the three witches have an eye that actually looks like an eye.No two-headed wolf,the coin given to the smuggler is thrown into the water and not put back into his skeletal hand, which closes on it.

Anyway…I’m just letting my memories come to me and it’s rather pleasant. I wasn’t trying to be spoilerish!Basically, a film that mixes superhero battles from the era, Greek mythology, adventure and fantasy. Excellent entertainment!

My Rating

Wrath of the Titans (2012) On 14 February 2015, Valentine’s Day, I wrote: “It didn’t make any more of an impression on me than the first one! Both are pretty messed up in my opinion.The old one has aged super badly… but it was better made for its time than its remakes. It’s all about the special effects. I don’t always mind that, but this does!”

On 23 February 2018, I had re-watched this film and written: “Yes, yes, this is my second comment.” Because I saw it again! It’s pretty much complete rubbish!

Indeed, the first one was rather nice, but still not as good as the 1981 original it was remade from.Here, Sam Worthington is nothing to write home about.So what saves the film? Liam Neeson and especially Ralph Fiennes, who are always good, if not excellent.The special effects, but that’s a bit meagre. Bill Nighy as Hephaestus? Yes, that actor is always great!

As for the rest, you’ll have to wait and see. Did we really need another demigod? I find Agenor funny, but useless. Andromeda, who is all sweetness and light in the first film, has become a warrior here. Is that because of the change of actress? Helios is an ass. Ares is a good villain… but the fights are too surreal.You can’t believe it here. Nothing!Too long and slow.The two-headed creatures I was expecting in the first instalment are all over the place here.

Yes, there are some cool scenes and spectacular action…But it’s still slow! What’s the Minotaur got to do with it? It’s not Perseus who has to fight him, it’s Theseus!Have they got it so wrong? What are the Cyclops doing here? This isn’t Ulysses!

Anyway…As much fun as it was in Van Helsing to see all the monsters together, it doesn’t go down so well here. It’s a good thing Revenge of the Titans fell through in the meantime. He could do as much damage as a Kraken.

My Rating