Clash of the Titans (2010) - Sound and Fury  
| Okay, I am going to go out on a limb here and say that the new version of Clash of the Titans really isn't all that bad. I'm not saying it's "good" but I enjoyed myself through moments.
Sure the script is as choppy and sloppy as the original film's script. The special effects are fairly standard and hardly "special." The acting is mostly poor as the director's direction to his performances must have been to ham it up mostly. The costumes look like they are left over from someone's Halloween party. And as much as I am excited about the possibilities of 3D technology, I found that this film is an example of how NOT to use 3D. It didn't add anything to the film and it actually looked too dark through most of the movie.
So this is not going to make it on to my top 10 list of the year. So what? I still enjoyed certain moments.
Unlike the purists (who give far too much credit to the original in my opinion) I actually liked the idea of man taking on the Gods, challenging the divine. This is the opposite of Frankenstein in that way and it's interesting. I also loved that they took out the silly romance and added in one that was far more satisfying. And then there is the adventure...
Cause that's what this is, an adventure story and Leterrier was able to capture something that the original film lacked; adventure! I thought the action scenes were well done and exciting. Sure most of the "drama" in between was nothing to shake a stick at, but I got into the battles. Maybe it was the fact that Sam Worthington has the "it" factor of a real star (acting chops and leading man appeal) and he was able to carry it off. It certainly wasn't because I think Leterrier is some great talent, his films tend to lack on the story side of things. But he could teach Michael Bay a thing or two about how to make a hollow action film tolerable.
And that's what Clash of the Titans is; a hollow adventure film. It's not that memorable and it's not anything to relive again and again. Repeat viewings would only highlight the film's faults I imagine. But, like its predecessor, this is strictly B-movie and for one night out you could do worse. This isn't Battlestar Galactica turning a sow's ear (cheesy 80s sci fi) into a silk purse (post-modern award winning drama). It's just more of the same cheese... but it has a bit of flavour.
So I would actually recommend seeing this film as long as you have low expectations and are looking for something purely escapist. And look to the shout out to Harryhausen. This film's Medusa is a direct tribute to his. She's not as cool though....
One day I will get the greek mythology movie the little boy in me is seeking. This is not it. Olympus is very deftly done and it shows that it is possible to make the mythology come to life. Now they just need a great story. This is just sound and fury signifying nothing.
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