Rating of
3.5/4
It’s a shame Hollywood does make these anymore
Indyfreak - wrote on 07/30/26
Excellent sword-and-sandal epic handled with expertise by Christopher Nolan. The scope of the production is breathtaking. The cinematography, the direction for the action scenes, and the strength of the cast deliver a compelling story and the spectacle that comes with it.
Matt Damon, Anne Hathaway, Tom Holland, and Robert Pattinson deliver great performances. Lupita N’yongo is not onscreen for long but she leaves an impact. Samantha Morton is equally memorable as an unsettling witch.
The mythological elements are more horrifying than awe-inspiring. A cyclops holds Odysseus and his crew hostage. A fiendish sea monster plucks men from ships without any warning. Armor-clad giants appear from an eerie mist and command trees at will.
But it allows for quieter moments between the fantastical voyage segments. Most of the tension comes not from the monster attacks but from lecherous suitors eyeing Odysseus’ kingdom (and his wife).
If there are any complaints, I don’t think the 3 hour runtime is warranted. The last hour is well paced and exciting. But the first two acts could have been trimmed down.
I’m glad I saw this in theaters. It feels like an experience. Hopefully the probable success of this movie will ensure more epic films making a comeback.
