Clash of the Titans is perfect fodder for a remake – a film people remember fairly fondly, but really isn't particularly good. The modern version isn't a timeless classic, but a well-crafted update to an ancient tale.
Sam Worthington inherits Harry Hamlin's sandals as Perseus, the demigod son of Zeus on a quest to avenge the death of his family and assert humanity's place in the face of the gods. Mostly this involves fighting a bunch of CGI monsters – scorpions, snakes, and scenery chewers like Liam Neeson and Ralph "Call Me Rafe" Finnes. Looming over everything (under, really) is The Kraken, a sea creature created by the deities as the final option to keep their human subjects in line.
Gone are the stop-motion-Harryhausen-animation and R2D2 ripoff Bubo the mechanical owl, replaced by CGI and a somewhat snide cameo that would've been comparable to Jar Jar Binks tripping over an Ewokskin rug. The effects are a little inconsistent, as some strive for a similar stop-motion feel while others are hyper-edited to the point of being obscured. And the flick feels a bit like it's stuck on fast-forward – in addition to some slightly rushed action sequences, a few of the films revelation's pop up with little to no setup.
But look, it works. Clash is a fitting start to the summer season in that it's a great light blockbuster. Michael Bays of the world take note – one can put out a piece of popcorn entertainment that isn't a complete insult to your intelligence. As Perseus and Co. marched on, I found myself more involved than expected. Worthington's an appealing onscreen presence, and the supporting cast of (admittedly stock) characters are worth watching as well. It's a swords and sandals Saturday serial from people who seem to have had a genuinely good time making the movie, and that spirit carries over to the viewer. Enjoy – I did.
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