• Wrath of the Titans Movie Review

Hey folks, Valkor here. And I welcome you to an all new, redesigned TOV; I'm really feelin the new look (not that I hated the old one), but this one is a lot sleeker and more solid than the previous look. On top of getting the new design up and running, it's time for me to get back on that review saddle. I'm not back-logged, thankfully, so churning em out will be a breeze. First item up for business is the sequel to the 2010 remake "Clash of the Titans" - Wrath of the Titans (in 3D). Alacran got to check out the first film and I was invited to screen the second. It's got a lot of flash and some nice action, but can it hold its own against the first flick? Warning, some spoilers ahead.

Warth of the Titans


Wrath of the Titans takes places ten years after the events of the first film; Perseus (Sam Worthington) is living the simple life as a fisherman and a single dad (his wife has since passed on). He and his son Helius (John Bell) have chiseled out a nice, quiet life for themselves. But that tranquility is about to come to an abrupt end; Zeus (Liam Neeson - Taken) along with his son Ares (Edgar Ramirez) and brother Poseidon, head into the depths of hell to face off against Hades (Ralph Fiennes). But it was trap set up by Hades and Ares (Who's not happy that daddy Zeus gave all the attentions to Perseus) to lure Zeus into Tartarus so that may capture him and sap him of his powers to awaken the most powerful god of them all – Cronos!

Warth of the Titans


But a half god can't possible go up against the god of all gods and win right? This round another demi god joins the ranks in the form of Agenor (Toby Kebbell) "the navigator" and son of Poseidon who'll guide Perseus and crew to find Hephaestus (Bill Nighy), who's the key to safe passage into the labyrinth that leads into Tartarus. Finally there's Queen, now warrior Queen Andromeda (Rosamund Pike – Burning Palms) who's not just a bad ass, but also the love interest to Perseus.

Warth of the Titans


Together the group will face off against the deadliest of monsters such as Cyclops, a Minotaur, Chimera, these crazy looking lava creatures and finally Cronos himself, in an attempt to save the world from destruction. Wrath of the Titans is a very simple film, but doesn't pull any punches. However I'll save that sorta talk for the TOV Breakdown.

Warth of the Titans


The Good:

I liked Wrath of the Titans. I wasn't crazy about it, but I wasn't disappointed with it either; I was expecting a film that was bigger and flashier than the first. But you get a lot of hard hitting action and amazing special effects in a very straightforward story that's easy to follow. The pacing is brisk as there's a nice balance of storytelling and action to keep things interesting; before you know it that 99 minute runtime will have come and gone. The action – oh boy the action! Man vs. monster has never looked so good! The fights are well choreographed and these dudes really wail on one another – through columns, walls, whatever. If there were kitchen sinks laying about, I'm sure they'd have been used them. Not even exaggerating, it's that intense. The acting is solid and I thought everyone brought their A-games to the table, especially Neeson and Fiennes, but Sam Worthington not only does a great job of acting, but really knows how to carry the action as well. Toby Kebbell makes for a great comic relief, thumbs up to you sir. And I love me some Rosamund Pike, but I felt she wasn't given all that much to do. Still she's easy on the eyes compared to the monsters that are loaded up in this film, so you kinda need someone like her in a film like this… lookin... all kinds of yummy… ahem! Speaking of monsters, wait until you see the creatures conjured up this round. The Chimera was the show stealer for me, but watching Perseus take on a Minotaur was crazy fun. Finally there are some nice cameos that fans of the first and the original will enjoy such as a disgruntled Pegasus and Bubo the mechanical owl from the original film.

Warth of the Titans


The Bad:

First up the film doesn't waste much time breezing through ten years of Perseus's life. I'm not asking to see the entire ten years, just enough that I can become attached to the characters. We only know that he's a fisherman and he loves his son, but I didn't feel the bond between them all that much. Yea I understand he truly cares for his son. You see it in his actions. Like when he's fighting the Chimera. But if you took his son out of the equation, the story would be the same... maybe a touch more interesting. While the story has awesome pacing, the action is edited to quickly - almost a blur. The only slow battle you'll see is Perseus against the giant Cyclops. But it's a giant Cyclops! They can't move all that fast, but they hit pretty damn hard! I loved the journey in the first film and even more so in the original. But the journey that Perseus undertakes happens to quickly and I wanted he and crew to go to more places, maybe fight a few more creatures. Perseus needs to find Agenor. Will he fight a mob of monsters along the way? Nope, he'll simply ride Pegasus. Awwww. Perseus needs a ship to get to Hephaestus! Will they fight a Titan to win it? Nope, it's parked outside waiting to be boarded. Damn! Oh look a tricked out labyrinth with all kinds of moving walls and shit! Certainly this is where we get to the meat. Nope Perseus fights a Minotaur and it's over. Bummer.

Warth of the Titans


That Ending Battle:

It seems very familiar… in a galaxy far, far, awayish sort of way.

Warth of the Titans


The Ugly:

N/A

Warth of the Titans


You can catch Wrath of the Titans in theaters today in 2D, 3D, and IMAX 3D. Good/Bad aside, I had a lot of fun with Titans and I think anyone who like the first, will get a kick out of this as well. It's imaginative, loaded with action, and very, very entertaining. Out of TOV 5 stars, I give Wrath of the Titans 3.5 and it's been Valkor Viewed, TOV Approved.

Warth of the Titans


Warth of the Titans