Big, fun, popcorn entertainment. That’s all Wrath of the Titans is. If that’s what you want, Wrath delivers. If you expect any more, you’ll be disappointed.
Director Jonathan Liebesman (Battle Los Angeles) keeps the ball rolling in this sequel to 2010’s Clash of the Titans, improving upon many of the problems in the first film. The most obvious issue with Clash was its last-second, sloppy conversion to 3D, ruining much of the good favor that had been created for the added dimension by 2009's Avatar (which ironically also starred Sam Worthington).
While Wrath, like its predecessor, was not filmed in 3D but converted in post-production, it is still a marked difference from the disaster of Clash, adding to the action rather than hindering it.
Speaking of which, the battle scenes were unique and exciting. And it is always interesting to watch the interactions and fights between all of the different characters and creatures from Greek mythology.
Of course, there were obvious problems with the film. Most notably, the plot is given little development and frankly doesn’t make total sense in many instances. We know that Kronos, the Titan father of Zeus, Hades, and Poseidon, is trying to escape and exact revenge on his sons and the world. But we never really understand why Hades is helping him escape, or why Ares joins Hades in betraying Zeus, his father, or even why it has to be Perseus who saves the world.
Director Jonathan Liebesman (Battle Los Angeles) keeps the ball rolling in this sequel to 2010’s Clash of the Titans, improving upon many of the problems in the first film. The most obvious issue with Clash was its last-second, sloppy conversion to 3D, ruining much of the good favor that had been created for the added dimension by 2009's Avatar (which ironically also starred Sam Worthington).
While Wrath, like its predecessor, was not filmed in 3D but converted in post-production, it is still a marked difference from the disaster of Clash, adding to the action rather than hindering it.
Speaking of which, the battle scenes were unique and exciting. And it is always interesting to watch the interactions and fights between all of the different characters and creatures from Greek mythology.
Of course, there were obvious problems with the film. Most notably, the plot is given little development and frankly doesn’t make total sense in many instances. We know that Kronos, the Titan father of Zeus, Hades, and Poseidon, is trying to escape and exact revenge on his sons and the world. But we never really understand why Hades is helping him escape, or why Ares joins Hades in betraying Zeus, his father, or even why it has to be Perseus who saves the world.
As Perseus we have Sam Worthington. This time around his character actually seems like he has to fight tooth and nail for every victory; success isn’t won as easily as it seemed to be in the first film and this helps us to relate to and cheer for Perseus even more. However, Worthington still comes off as too stiff in a movie that’s so much fun. If I may quote Toronto Star critic, Peter Howell, “Worthington remains a distinctly humorless hero, which makes you long for the likes of a prime-time Harrison Ford or Arnold Schwarzenegger, who knew how to make a fondue out of cheese.”
Liam Neeson and Ralph Fiennes (who co-starred together in 1993's Schindler's List) are underutilized, but fantastic as always. Bill Nighy and Toby Kebbell (Prince of Persia) provide effective comedic relief, but also could have been given more to do. One of my favorite parts of the film was Nighy, as fallen god Hephaestus, identifying Perseus from the events of the first film. “‘Release the Kraken’ and all that,” Nighy quips, referencing both Zeus’s line from Clash and Nighy’s own nearly identical command as Davy Jones in Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest.
Overall, Wrath of the Titans is a fun, action-packed 99 minutes, but you wish they had stretched it out a bit to include more character and plot development.
The Final Word: Wait to rent it.
Liam Neeson and Ralph Fiennes (who co-starred together in 1993's Schindler's List) are underutilized, but fantastic as always. Bill Nighy and Toby Kebbell (Prince of Persia) provide effective comedic relief, but also could have been given more to do. One of my favorite parts of the film was Nighy, as fallen god Hephaestus, identifying Perseus from the events of the first film. “‘Release the Kraken’ and all that,” Nighy quips, referencing both Zeus’s line from Clash and Nighy’s own nearly identical command as Davy Jones in Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest.
Overall, Wrath of the Titans is a fun, action-packed 99 minutes, but you wish they had stretched it out a bit to include more character and plot development.
The Final Word: Wait to rent it.
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