Clash of the Titans

Dumb, but not dumb enough to be at least be funny. Several video game levels with legendary Greek monsters that could be described as follows: I’m going somewhere → I kill a monster → I get some clues → I carry on. The monsters look pretty nice and so do the settings (you can see the budget), but the filler and the dialogues are lethal, with Perseus et al. constantly philosophising about their semi-godly nature, almighty Zeus almost breaking a branch under his own weight, Bubo rolling somewhere in junk and Andromeda pragmatically letting herself be eaten. That’s almost all of it. Worthington has nothing to work with, his Perseus is mentally a teenager and not a hero to whose hands I’d be willing to entrust my destiny. The gods shine weirdly, which instead of divine looks cheap, and certainly doesn’t give the impression that they lord over the world. The climax never had a chance to save the film and the last scene actually buries it. 45% (04/15/2010)

I'd be happier if this version wasn't so sure of its position as a remake (see the owl scene). As a standalone film, it might be more acceptable, but the additional fact that it's supposed to be the first part of a new trilogy is just another load of crap. In terms of the formal aspects, the film is a strange mix of almost TV-like scenes, supplemented here and there by effective (kitschy) shots of landscapes or sunsets. The dreaded monsters are more disgusting than scary, and the gods forgot their glow back in the 1980s, which isn't exactly great either. The acting is unfortunately completely lacking. Hans Matheson and Polly Walker are not the worst of the bunch, but they also only have miniscule roles. The same goes for Mads Mikkelsen or Luke Evans, but I didn't even notice them until much later. I'm really not an uncritical admirer of the original film, but this film is hopeless, where the only good thing is the few minutes spent with Medusa. (11/29/2011)

A much lesser evil after a second viewing. The biggest flaws (Leterrier's botched direction of everything, rip-offs at every turn, the absolutely plankish Worthington, the terrible music) remain, but once you're sort of prepared for what you'll see it gets a lot more digestible. Two and a half stars. (04/20/2010)

Honestly, better than I expected, with decent fights and excellent visual effects. Incomparable to the original, but I'm glad nobody even tried. A likeable summer blockbuster. Mads Mikkelsen is the best of the lot, and Gemma Arterton is possibly the hottest babe in Hollywood right now. (04/30/2010)

This remake of a famous fantasy adventure can’t even hold a candle to its 30 year older predecessor. The film is packed with action, but everything seems too fast, without emotion, without thought and, most importantly, without suspense. Those who were looking forward to the thrilling duels with Medusa and the Kraken will be disappointed, because this duo, who managed to create so much tension in the original version, are not much more than a blink in the story and you don't even get to enjoy them properly. Also, Sam Worthington, with his charisma, is unable to fulfil the role of the fearless and valiant son of the ruler of the gods and please the female part of the audience. In short, everything is bad... 35%. (07/13/2011)