The Immortals (2011)

When it’s over, think 300 with a drizzle of mythology.  Do images of blood and gore come to mind?  There's plenty of it.  But, unlike 300, Immortals doesn't have a solid story or engaging characters.  There were too many "hows" and "whys," and for a film that refers heavily to Greek Mythology, it fails to be true to the Greek characters and places.  In the film, Zeus (Luke Evans) chooses Theseus (Henry Cavill), a mortal man, to lead the fight against King Hyperion (Mickey Rourke), who is in search of the legendary Epirus Bow, which holds the power to unleash the Titans. The premise sounds interesting, but because the story's so lean, it relies heavily on elaborate eye candy (sets, costumes, camera work) to try and satiate the viewer's appetite.  On top of the loose script was also poor casting. The first casting mistake was Rourke.  A powerful ruthless king he was not.  More like a philosophical drunkard with a sword who slurred through most of the film.  Second casting mistake was Cavill, who looks strong, but has no presence or charisma.  Third casting mistake was Freida Pinto as Phaedra, the Priestess, who in Greek Mythology was actually a princess.  Although Pinto is beautiful, she doesn't look remotely close to being Greek, which kills the believability factor immediately, and believability is one of the main factors that will either make the audience embrace or dismiss.  Amongst all the faults of this film, I have to say that the visuals reign as the best asset to Immortals.  The re-invention of what the Gods looked like, in their shimmering gold attire, proved to be bold, different, and indeed, eye candy.


My rating:  2 out of 5