Clash of the Titans - Thoughts

I first saw a trailer of Clash of the Titans while doing my routine HD trailer follow-up. What was very obvious was that the movie was a special effects extravaganza, thus making it a must watch. Going by the trailer the movie had to do with the Greek gods, and the fight between man and god. Doing a little more online research indicated that Clash of the Titans was about the half mortal son of Zeus, who had to battle the underworld and Hades, to save earth and the heavens, set on the backdrop of man’s rebellion against the gods.


What will stand out the most if you see the trailer and then the movie is that the trailer makes the movie seem like a non-stop action roller-coaster, whereas the movie is a lot slower in pace. The movie by itself is pretty decent, based on a relatively unique plot. The backstory to the gods and the titans, as well as the current day earth and gods theme works well. Action sequences and special effects are impressive, making for a good 106 minutes of entertainment. The plot is pretty straight forward, so don’t expect to have to invest too much thought into it. If anything were to be faulted, it would probably be the trailer, for creating some unrealistic expectations; you’ll need to be patient to enjoy this one, as there are several slower storyline related moments. If casual Greek mythology combined with plain entertainment oriented action are not your thing, give this one a miss.

Sam Worthington of Terminator Salvation fame plays Perseus, the son of Zeus, and the lead role in Clash of the Titans. He portrays his earthly origin, his quest for answers, and the rise to a hero convincingly. To those who have seen Terminator Salvation, similarities in character specific to the sense of internal questions and discovery will be noticeable. Liam Neeson as Zeus is perfect, seemingly godlike in presence, and loving and caring in his outlook towards mankind. It’s interesting to see Ralph Fiennes as Hades, especially considering were more accustomed to seeing him as the hopeless romantic. His success as the dark, grim Hades, god of the dead and king of the underworld goes to show his remarkable range as an actor.

As in most cases, the DVD I was sampling was a Region 1 US release. Picture was clear, though colors were intentionally not very vibrant; greys, silvers and other fantasy shades being emphasized. Sound was presented by means of a Dolby Digital 5.1 surround soundtrack, and was effective; dialogue being clear and through the center channel, while the mammoth action sequences came alive with the use of the surround stage. The desert action sequences reminded me of the opening battle in the first Transformers movie.

My Recommendation: Watch It (Casual action entertainment, courtesy Greek gods and special effects)

Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time - Thoughts

Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time was one of those movies that I knew I’d get around to seeing, only not in a rush or at the theatre. It released in May 2010 and was relatively well received for most part by audiences worldwide. While I had played the original Prince of Persia game from the late 80’s, I had not played the newer 3D release from 2003. My guess would be that The Sands of Time movie is perhaps somewhat based on The Sands of Time game from 2003. In the movie the prince along with the princess of Alamut are fugitives, who need to uncover a sinister family plot to use the magical dagger and its power to turn back time and change history.


After my viewing experience it’s safe to that the movie was quite a mixed bag for me. Owing to being a Walt Disney movie, with a PG-13 rating, the movie was certainly crafted keeping in mind the younger audience group, which I believe to a great extent took away the edge from the movie. While I’m sure it was intentional, to the discerning moviegoer, I felt that it took away some. This one aspect aside, the movie was quite enjoyable. The recreation of the period and the setting was flawless, and many of the scenes visually splendorous. There was a fun element present throughout, which was not obviously comedic. Pace was a mix of slow moments, and faster suspense and action sequences. I personally felt that the slow moments were a little draggy. Overall, Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time is a fun adventure movie, that’s probably great for family viewing, and for young teenage children. For the hardcore moviegoer it may fall a little short.

The cast was pretty impressive, and performances were fitting. Jake Gyllenhaal played prince Dastan, the lead character in The Sands of Time. He was able to successfully represent a blend of rough and smooth, which was key to his character. There was a need for constant energy, and that was an area in which he was able to consistently deliver. Gemma Arterton was fitting as the princess of Alamut; her exotic look adding a mystical Far East tone to her character. In stereotypical fashion she was short-tempered, not someone who would trust easily, and a serious double-crosser. Ben Kingsley played Nizam, Dastan’s uncle, the king’s brother. Needless to say he played the role with strength and noticeable experience of age. Toby Kebbell and Richard Coyle played Dastan’s brothers, Garsiv and Tus. Their performances were apt; seemingly questionable at times, and loyal at others.

The DVD I was watching was a Region 1 US release. Video was good, and color favored warm tones, such as the sandy desert, the run down towns, and the brown skinned cast. Night scenes were a little dark but not an issue. Sound was presented by means of a Dolby Digital 5.1 surround soundtrack. Ambience was on point, dialogues clear, and surround stage usage was sufficient. What was standout was perhaps the photography in the movie, as several of the long shots were very scenic.

My Recommendation: Watch It – (A light adventure flick, well suited for family viewing)