Clash of the Titans 3D (12A) 2010

The Titans fall flat

Clash of the Titans is a 118 minute action movie and on paper, a sure-fire success. It boasts a powerful cast, with Liam Neeson, Ralph Fiennes and Sam Worthington; an exciting story based on Greek mythology’s legend of Perseus and his arduous quest to slay the multi-serpent-headed Medusa; and lastly, today’s key ingredient; it is shot in 3D. Yet the overriding sensation is one of disappointment; in the dialogue, in the characterisation and even in the action sequences.

The story is simple enough. Angered by the arrogance and impudence of mankind, his own creation, Zeus (a heavily bearded Neeson) reluctantly allows his brother Hades (an even more hirsute Fiennes), God of the Underworld, to exact a terrible revenge and to show mankind his true place in the universe. Hades chooses the Kraken, a monster of mythical proportions, as his instrument of death and destruction on the people of the City of Argon. Perseus must first find, slay and then bring back the head of the notorious Medusa, a single glance from whom, they are told, will turn the onlooker to stone.

Perseus, guided by Io (played by Gemma Arterton), his forever young protector, sets off on a perilous journey into the Underworld in search of the Medusa with a small band of soldiers led by Draco (Mads Mikkesen). Confronted by giant scorpions, flying harpies and a trio of blind witches who together share one eye, the special effects are, at times marvellous to watch. The clash with the Medusa, deep in the Underworld is, in particular, spectacularly enhanced by the 3D technology. But sadly, the action sequences are all too often let down by the camerawork; the scenes race by at breakneck speed and instead of carefully managed confusion, we have anarchy.

Let down by the action, we look to the characters for salvation, but here too we are left wanting. The characterisation is poor, the characters paper-thin and underdeveloped, used only as transitions to the next action scene. Worthington, expressionless throughout, is rugged and handsome but seemingly unable to infuse his character with life, personality or feeling and we are left looking at an empty shell. Neeson and Fiennes are both under-used, their dialogue (surprisingly) kept to a minimum. Arterton and Nichloas Hoult (the young boy from “A Single Man”) are both competent but of the minor characters, only Draco really convinces.

Verdict
Overall and despite the potentially powerful ingredients, Clash of the Titans disappoints. Quite whether Warner Brothers will agree to Director Louis Leterrier’s request for a trilogy of Titan films remains to be seen. Wait for the DVD, if you must. 4/10.

Dick Morgan,
April 2010