Immortals

IMDB
First time viewed: Yes
Current Release: Yes
Watched With: Sam

Well Australia missed out on the cool 11•11•11 release date but it's finally arrived on our shores. And it ain't too bad neither.

Tarsem Singh (who keeps changing how his name is credited, even within the same film) made one of my all time favourite films with The Fall a few years back. If you still haven't seen it, rectify that immediately. His take on ancient Greek mythology keeps his keen visual sense, and very much takes a page from the 300 school of cinema but this film does have something films like that and Troy and even the recent Clash of the Titans lack, and that it Gods with powers delivering some whoop-ass.

They use some very cool Green Hornet style layered slow motion ramping that will no doubt now be used in every film until we are all sick of it. It's the new bullet time. But it works well coupled with the stylised graphic blood letting.

Tarsem films are all about the style and visuals. There are some truly awesome moments throughout. The depiction of the Gods and the Titans is kinda funky and simple, dunno how I feel about it yet but it may work for some of you. It heavily uses the blue/orange colour pallet and is graded to make everything look almost like a classical painting.

I saw the film in 3D and there was nothing terrible about it but in truth I think a lot of the visuals were designed to be for 2D just from the very painterly look to them. I'll have to see it again and decide. One thing is for sure, it does feel very studio based.

I did enjoy it, the action was good and I love the visuals. Unfortunately the film lacks an emotional investment that I think 300 managed to do so well. Instead of a glorious or heartfelt ending we are treated to a poor set up for the hope of a sequel. That makes this film a fun and entertaining spectacle but nothing that will linger. Don't expect much adherence to Greek Mythology either. Do expect yet another film John Hurt narrates.