Clash of the Titans

Goolphipp Award: 3.75 (See the Cheap Matinee)

Goolsby:
So the original Clash of the Titans came out in 1981 - I wasn't even born yet. But, I do remember watching it later on VHS as a kid. Of course my older brother loved it, and I remember I did too. However, I haven't seen the original for a long time. I wanted to rent the original and watch it before we went to see the movie, but we just didn't have time. So I'm starting off with fond memories of the original and random details - like the metal owl!

First and foremost, the owl was the most important thing to me, haha. I'm a sucker for all things puppets, and the owl used to be basically a puppet or prop. I am glad to say the owl was paid homage in this movie. I literally threw my hands up and cheered a silent yes.

I liked this movie. I had fun watching it. Heck, its' a well known fact that I've got a thing for Liam Neeson. And boy oh boy was I happy, he looked a least 10 years, if not more, younger in this film. The makeup job was done very well. He played a very stoic commanding Zeus and I loved it. The whole cast did a really good job I thought. It was a good mix of people. Ralph Fiennes played Hades, and once again proved that he can be the ultimate villain (he also plays Voldemort in the Harry Potter films).

The action was intense and super fast. I had a hard time keeping up. Very quick. I loved the scorpion scenes. The CG was decent. There were only a few times where it felt the technology was being pushed to its limits. I guess we are having a theme of great wings this week, but once again, we were given amazing CG wings. The Pegasus had these beautiful black wings. Everything about that horse was spot on perfect. No complaints from me, gets an A+ in my books. Medusa on the other hand... her CG wasn't as seamless and left something to be desired.

I enjoyed the film, but it felt there was something missing. It needed some extra sense of umph, but I'm not sure where or how they could have given us that extra zing.

Goolsby overall: 3.75
Almost a 4.

Phipps:
I remember watching the original Clash of the Titans in elementary school. What I remember most is thinking, "that looks fake." But despite being slightly crippled by effects, because the technology just wasn't there at the time, the original had something special. It's been a while since I've seen it, but it had heart.

For this version, all the effects were in order, with the exception of Medusa. Stellar wings again. Everything looked right...and even with all the big names...there was no sparkle. While I normally love Sam Worthington, I just wasn't feeling it...from most of the performances. The exceptions: Ralph Fiennes (as Hades), Pete Postlewaite (as Spyros, Perseus' adoptive father), and Gemma Arterton (as Io).

I appreciated the obvious nod to the original with the robotic owl, and I'm sure there were more that I didn't catch.

This movie was a solid action adventure. There was clean action, comic relief, short skirts, and crazy creatures. It's entertaining. It's appropriate for the family with older kids.

That being said, the X-factor wasn't there. It has to be the performances, because there is no blaming the effects. Give me Harry Hamlin any day.

Phipps overall: 3.75
There was something missing.

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Goolphipp Award: 5 (Opening Night Excellence)

Audience: Teens and up

Goolsby: I think this movie is pretty much a family movie if you’ve got teen kids. The violence is pretty hardcore and I bet some animals of the Pandora world would be too intense for small children.

Phipps: If your kids are accustomed to action and violence, I think this movie might be okay for them. Keep in mind, there is some swearing and "mating" discussion. Honestly, I think the rating was due to violence. And as Goolsby said, there are some scary creatures. Tentative audience 12+.

Plot: Dances with Na'vi

Goolsby: I’ve heard quite a few people compare or describe the movie in terms of Dances with Wolves, even Pocahontas. The point is, it doesn’t matter. The plot is a classic tale, that’s why it works so well. I think the fact that the plot is a bit played out works in favor of the film. Since we all know how it will end, we can focus on more interesting parts of the movie – like the graphics, crazy technologies, and the deliveries of the actors. Classic is classic for a reason.

Phipps: This movie was Dances with Wolves in space. The only difference is Jake Sully and his woman don't have to leave the tribe at the end. But since the Dances with Wolves plot works in the "original," it also works here. I think critics and movie elitists get all wrapped around the axle about classic storylines, but newsflash...as Goolsby said, it works. And as of yesterday, it was reported that Avatar is second only to Titanic for top box office of all time. People can't help themselves, they settle in for the ride, and are not disappointed.

Special effects: 3D spectacular

Goolsby: Well once you forget about the funny glasses on your face it’s pretty neat. I’m glad that the 3D effects weren’t so in-your-face, pop out at you, sort of deal. The 3D aspects were subtle and seamless. It added another layer to your whole movie experience. And come on, all the fluorescent stuff, awesome. I did however make a comment after the movie that I wanted there to be one line in the movie that explained all the fluorescent things.

Phipps: Holy cricket! I was afraid that the CGI aspects would not be blended seamlessly. After Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings, everything is compared to that standard. And, although I knew it was fake, the effects were fully integrated. It was wonderful, like falling down a rabbit hole into wonderland. I have no complaints. James Cameron did a wonderful job making the whole movie a cohesive experience. I might even be persuaded to see it again.

Where’s the wow: Paint me blue and make me an extra

Goolsby: The magic of this movie is the world it creates. For 2 hours and 40 minutes you get to be part of James Cameron’s Pandora. You get swept up in the action and want to be part of the Na’vi tribe. I want to ride some crazy pterodactyl-like bird. I think sometimes emotional delivery can be lost with special effects, but Cameron made sure that wasn’t the case for this movie. On spot, all the way. A bit cliché in some places, but all movies have their moments.

Phipps: Shoot. I want to ride that flying dinosaur-ish bird. I noticed a few little details that I loved. I liked that the human avatars had five fingers, and the Na'vi had four, which makes sense if they combined DNA for the avatars. The technology featured wasn't totally other either, it was a good extrapolation on what we have now. Pandora - the computer plant...full of glow-in-the-dark plants - what a smart idea! And however they rigged Sam Worthington's atrophied legs, they did an amazing job! Of course if you don't use your legs for an extended period of time they are going to be tiny! Bravo on that. That was accurate. Although I felt some moments were really messagey, it wasn't tiresome. Performances were solid. It was just a complete package of fun, which doesn't come around often. See it in theaters, people.

Phipps overall: 5
Well, shucks, can't find a single thing wrong with it.

Goolsby overall: 5
I went in expecting to be disappointed and was blown away.

Goolphipp award: 5 (Opening Night Excellence)

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