Immortals (2011)

Men, swords, gore and romance, what more could you want from a film? Everything in the case of Immortals, created by director Tarsem Singh, most famous for The Cell. In tribute to the Greek legends that have spawned many Hollywood films, Immortals had a lot to live up to. Early projects on Greek Mythology such as Jason and the Argonauts (1963), the first Clash of the Titans (1981), and more recently 300 (2006) set the tone and expectation. After seeing the previews I expected a fast paced, action fuelled, gore fest; hoping for it to be much like 300, both visually and content wise. Unfortunately it was not to be.

Chosen by Zeus to become Mankind’s saviour, Theseus (Henry Cavill – Stardust, The Tudors) sets out on a mission to prevent King Hyperion (Mickey Rourke – The Wrestler, Iron Man 2) releasing the Titans from Mount Tartaros using the Epirus Bow. If this happens he can then over throw the God’s and rule over human kind….no big deal or anything. So the film begins with a look at Theseus’ life before he becomes hero, legend, God. He lives with his mother in a tiny building in a hole… in a wall… (the wall being a massive side of a cliff). Being a peasants son and a stonemason, he is looked down on and treated with disrespect. Unable to join the ‘good’ army of men who fight for their people, he carried on with the life he was dealt until the day his village comes under the wrath of King Hyperion’s army. Most are slaughtered, leaving him reeling and hell bent on revenge.

The next hour is then spent carrying out the various tasks:  

1. find the magical Bow preventing King Hyperion releasing the Titans

2. Hunting down the ‘good’ army to let them know Theseus and co are onboard

3. De-flower the virgin Oracle

4. Sulk around and fight a bit

I often found it hard to keep my eyes open when watching this, not only was there a lot of brooding and talking, it wasn’t actually worth paying attention too. Henry Cavill despite being alluringly looking is dull at best when acting this part. Mickey Rourke may have been the wrong choice when casting the Greek enemy as he comes across as a thuggish brute, not how I imagine a Greek ruler, albeit a evil one, to be.  The God’s were fleetingly interesting at the beginning however became tedious. Their head wear could have been what pushed it over the edge for me.

The only positive attribute of the film were the final fight scenes. They were engaging and what I expected the whole duration of the film to be like, it’s a pity that expectations are rarely met or exceeded anymore.