Wrath of the Titans

Stars: Sam Worthington, Liam Neeson, Ralph Fiennes, Rosamund Pike, Edgar Ramirez, Toby Kebbell,  Danny Huston and Bill Nighy
Director: Jonathan Liebesman
Scriptwriters: Dan Mazeau and David Leslie Johnson
Composer: Javier Navarrete
Cinematographer: Ben Davis
Warner Brothers
Rating: PG 13 for themed material and violence
Running Length: 115 minutes

 

In my last review of a Titans film, I wrote “Stay tuned, there is sure to be another remake around the bend.”  Guess what? Here is the second part, Wrath of the Titans, and a third around the bend, who knows? Most of the cast is back in this story of demi-gods (earth mother and god father) who either want to be full gods or nothing at all. Perseus (Sam Worthington) is such a person, who turns his back on battle and is a fisherman, training his son to fish, also. This is supposed to be ancient Greece but the Canary Islands do just fine. Zeus (Liam Neeson) is Perseus' father, with Kronos being the father of Zeus, Hades (Ralph Fiennes) and Poseidon (Danny Huston). Talk about sibling rivalry and squabbling. When they get angry, those on Earth suffer. There are references to the Kragen, but wait until you see Kronos in action . Kragen would still be in hiding. Queen Andromeda (Rosamund Pike) is a mighty warrior trying to bring peace to the lands and the gal has no fear.

 

The story begins with Perseus peacefully fishing and noticing that the ground rumbles every now and then. When Pegasus, the black winged horse (steals his scenes) comes to fetch  Perseus, and a monster ransacks the village, it is time for action. On his travels to mend fences between Zeus, Poseidon and Hades, Perseus and Andromeda have many adventures, including finding a new demi god-cousin for Perseus (Toby Kebbell, the comic relief.)  Special effects are great including something that reminds me of the constantly moving staircases in the Harry Potter, films, except this is inside a monolith and if you stand still for a second too long, you are mashed.

 

Most of the action takes place underground with fire and lava and everyone threatening everyone else. As per the first film, advance into battle with the least amount of clothing, except when you are eons old, then a toga and an 18-inch beard is OK.  The gods are worried because no one prays to them anymore, but with such in-fighting, why would they? Their power is weakening, so one good victory would help.

 

Acting?  Well, it is there somewhere. There is so much going on and Sam Worthington gets beat up a lot, plus Liam Neeson is tortured, so there isn't much time to emote. I will say that whenever Neeson has dialogue, you listen. You have to take the mythology films with a grain of salt and lava and I thought it was unique the way Hades was depicted. As for monsters, John Carter had monsters with four arms, but Titans has them with two heads, so there. All in all, Wrath of the Titans is a special effects dream with a fair enough soundtrack. The next time you see smoke in the sky, it may not be a contrail, but the underworld settling itself.

 

I saw this film in 3 D and it worked well. 

 

 

Copyright 2012 Marie Asner