| CultureWatch DVD Review - Clash of the Titans |
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Once again, “Release the Kraken,” echoes around Mount Olympus and Perseus takes to the skies o  n his flying stallion. Louis Leterrier’s remake of the 1981 fantasy adventure pits the Greeks against all the gods, sets Perseus (Sam Worthington) against his father (Liam Neeson) and upgrades the hero’s help from a twittering owl to Gemma Arterton. This is how Worthington summarised the film at its UK première: “It’s me in a dress with a rubber sword killing monsters.” Is this a mindless epic, fit only for escapism, or is it – as Leterrier intended – “a very human story”? Just like Ray Harryhausen’s original non-stop-motion creatures, Leterrier’s CGI creations steal the show. The story pivots around Perseus’ high-octane battles with the agile Gorgon, Hades’ disfigured minion, and the inimitable sea-monster. While these creatures have received the (underwhelming) 3D-conversion treatment, they lack any emotional depth. In spite of their tragic back stories, they remain mere obstacles in Perseus’ path. The simplistic divide between good men and bad monsters is undermined, however, by the hero himself. Worthington’s Perseus, unlike his predecessor, wars against his divine nature. Leterrier told Empire that he is a “conflicted hero” akin to Bruce Banner. This Perseus isn’t motivated by romantic love or patriotic concern, but by rage. His courageous fighting and camaraderie go some way to redeeming his bloodlust, but he’s no white knight. The gods, portrayed without any saving grace, are as petulant and power-hungry as their subjects. Hades (Ralph Fiennes) feeds on human fear and the shimmering Zeus uses human prayers to sustain his immortality. Perhaps this reflects the image many conjure when they think of God. It is inevitable that gods created by human imagination suffer from human weaknesses. In fact Zeus pales in comparison to his flawed son. The king of the gods refuses to make sacrifices for others, leaving Perseus as humanity’s only hope. Perseus views himself as Earth’s champion and, against a backdrop of evil beasts and ignoble gods, this is a fair assessment. But the re al world isn’t made up of heroes and villains, and the battles we face – as individuals and as nations – aren’t so clear cut. Clash reveals not only Perseus the champion, but Perseus the man. He grapples with his identity, struggles in his relationships – both human and divine – and tends towards malice not mercy. Perhaps there is more reality to this fantasy than the monsters let on. Reviewed by Damaris: an educational charity with a Christian foundation who work with people of all faiths and none. To find out more, or to sign up, visit www.damaris.org |
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