But Beverley Cross wasn't the only writer on the 2010 project...and you can tell. SO, while the 1981 version did a crack job of showing the motivation of the gods, including more than the cameo-roles in the 2010 version of gods like Athena, Aphrodite and of course, Hera--the twenty-first century version left that, along with other important details, on the cutting room floor. Women, in general, had a more prominent role in the 1981 version as opposed to the 2010 flick--and having it in 3D this time around doesn't make up for it.
Sam Worthington, also the star of Avatar (and another hot Aussie--big love to my Aussie peeps!), does a fine job as the angst-ridden, stubborn demi-god son of Zeus--adopted by a simple fisherman and his wife. I like Worthington's toughness--his attitude--reminds me a bit of another hot Aussie, Russell Crowe. I think this screenplay was too small for the large character that Worthington brings to the movie. There must be reels and reels of film on the cutting room floor because you can see the gaps in Worthington's character, and if you know your movies, you also know it has nothing to do with the acting. It was the same for ALL the characters--even the buffetted princess, Andromeda, played by Alexa Davalos, whom you may recognize from her stint as a tough-girl opposite Vin Diesel in Chronicles of Riddick (2007) or if you're one of my vamparazzi, from Whedon's Angel (2002-2003).
The character of "lo" was played by Gemma Arterton, who you'll see again if you go to Jake Gyllenhall's Prince of Persia, due out this year. You might also recognize Gemma from the 2008 007-flick, Quantum of Solace. I liked the insertion of this character--in terms of her kick-ass abilities without breaking a sweat and correcting the men who called Medusa a monster--in fact, Medusa was turned into a monster after Poseidon raped her by, believe it or not, Athena. Oh those crazy Greek gods...jealousy be thy name.
This film had its moments--great character actors like Cassiopeia (Polly Walker from SyFy's Caprica) had fleeting moments in the blazing sun of this scorched remake. And without giving away the ending...it's a typical close for a would-be Hollywood blockbuster.
In my humble opinion, the film is a 6.5-7 out of 10. If you like to see your action on the BIG screen and don't own an 82-inch TV yet, this may be worth your while--but don't bother with paying extra for 3D. See it in 2D. Why be disappointed for $10 a ticket when you can save two bucks and be disappointed for $8??? The disappointmnent comes in with the clippings on the cutting room floor--plenty of action but movies aren't just about giant scorpions and bubbling lava--it's the story that matters. Even a Titan-sized hero like Sam Worthington (one of the main reasons I didn't give this film a 4.5-5...) can't save this mediocre production. Director Louis Leterrier treated this film like one of his Transporter flicks...sorry, Louis--your film was missing that je ne sais quoi...better luck next time!
Hey, Warner Bros.! Why don't you hire me to consult on the screenplay and direction of your next big "blockbuster"??? You can't do much worse--and you can DEFINITELY do better. Go to my Contact Info page and I'll be happy to help! ;)
Next on my movie hit-list: Kick Ass and Losers...stay tuned!