Yes, I did spend the 13 dollars to go see it in 3D...but it was so unnecessary. Honestly, there was nothing about the 3D that made this movie better. It would have been just fine in 2D. Watching this movie, I have in fact discovered something I don't like about any 3D movie, and that's the glasses.Maybe it's just the ones I was wearing, but it dulled down the colors, and made it look way too dark. There were multiple times I took the 3D glasses off to see if the shot was in fact that dark, and it wasn't. That will definitely keep me from going to see a movie in 3D for a while.
With that said, I did enjoy the movie. I was actually surprised how much I did really enjoy it. Though, going into that film prepared to be disappointed I'm sure played into it. I may also be slightly bias towards Mads Mikkelsen being in the cast. I always love it when he's in an American movie. Being a Danish actor, he is not in many.
When it comes to the story, it has been immensely simplified from the original, which I think was a good choice. Although I felt the screenwriters tried a little too hard to rewrite Greek mythology and the director tired too hard to simply make it look cool. But, I was happy the story was shorter and to the point, even if they did make the Kraken the child of the wrong God. Where as Hades had little, to nothing to do in the original, here, played by Ralph Fiennes, was thrown in aimlessly. In an almost desperate attempt to create epic tension between Zeus, played by Liam Neeson, and Hades, their story feels a bit thrown in and all over the place. If the focus was kept more on Perseus, played by Sam Worthington, perhaps, it would have turned away from the "cheesy" side towards becoming a true epic fantasy.
The simple fact is, this story was never a great fantasy epic. Even the original had that "cheesy" quality too it, which is a reason it remains a classic. Although this remake is not terrible, it is entertaining and an enjoyable movie to watch, as long as you can get passed Liam Neeson and Ralph Fiennes trying way too hard to be "cool". And I'm not sure who made the decision for Fiennes to sound like he had an immortal cold, but it wasn't a good one. It added to the "cheesy" quality.
As for what I did like. I thought the story of Perseus, a son of Zeus who was thrown into the sea with his dead mother by the past King of Argos as revenge against the King of the Gods, is actually an improvement from the original. Basic and to the point. It has a better structure for the mythical quest of the epic hero, which gives this remake, its good and entertaining sequences.
After the fisherman's family that adopts Perseus is killed in the aftermath of an attack on soldiers of Argos led by Hades, he wishes to seek revenge. When Hades gets permission from Zeus to release his precious Kraken (who is actually a pet of Poseidon in mythology) on the city of Argos, Perseus gets his chance. Upon Hades' departure from Argos, he reveals that Perseus is a son of Zeus, a demi-god. He alone, can survive a quest in search of how to kill the Kraken and return before the Princess is sacrificed.
Eager for the quest to avenge his mortal family, Perseus leaves Argos in company of a small group of soldiers led by Draco, played by Mads Mikkelsen. It is this quest, stretching over the entire middle section of the film, that is the most well done. Draco, an experienced warrior and a man ready to rival the power of the Gods because of the early death of his daughter, is used as a mentor to Perseus. Draco teaches him not only how to fight and survive, but also, how to have faith. No matter their hatred with the Gods, Draco cannot deny Perseus' power, nor his belief in the Gods. Perseus however, refuses to use the gifts he has been born with, and continues to deny those put in his path by Zeus to make his quest easier. But through the courage and faith of Draco, Perseus finally accepts his gifts, and is able to defeat Medusa and the Kraken.
Draco's character is the really the only true quality character this film possesses, who has a clear path, progression and conclusion. He is also provided with the best dialogue in the movie. Although, most of that credit has to be passed to Mads Mikkelsen, who has always been a fine actor. And in the case of this film, is the finest among his co-stars. I know that may be surprising to say with Liam Neeson and Ralph Fiennes beside him, but their characters were too overwhelming and too dramatic. The writers and director tried too much to make the Gods look "too cool" that they were not given any depth or personality, and therefore, their dialogue was far too dramatic, even leaning towards melodramatic. But with Draco, he was given extra levels of dynamic personality and emotional depth because of the death of his daughter and his faith in the Gods. There is a great irony in his character that he hates the Gods but can't deny his faith in them. Because of these deeper qualities, his dialogue can be more dramatic and deep without being overwhelming and overdone with the audience.
As a side note, there was a funny homage to the original. Preparing to leave on thier quest, Perseus finds a mechanical owl on a stick. He asks Draco what it is, and is given the reply, "Don't ask." I thought it was a cute little nod to Bubo, a replica of Athena's owl companion made by Hephaestus.
Overall, it's a film that tried to live up to it's classic predecessor. Though it's no better and no worse, like the original, it has taken on that still "cheesy" quality, but will still make money, still sell, and still become a classic.
And yes, the Kraken did look EXTREMELY cool. And I'm sure my dreams tonight will be full of giant scorpions, but that's okay if Mads Mikkelsen is in it too.
FAVORITE SCENE:
Draco teaches Perseus to fight.
FAVORITE ACTION SCENE:
Fighting Medusa
FAVORITE LINES:
"If there is god in you, make sure to bring it with you. End of lesson." --Draco
"Let them say that men did this." --Draco
"If I do this, I do it as a man." --Perseus "But you are not just a man." --Draco
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