REVIEW - Clash of the Titans

This update does little to refine the haphazard plotting of the 1981 original as Perseus runs from one confrontation to the next, relying on divine intervention for progression; he not only gets an immortal guide (Gemma Arterton in monotone mode) but a series of godly gifts such as a sword and the use of Pegasus. This removes any sense of challenge from the proceedings, even as his mostly forgettable troop of eyeliner-wearing soldiers are whittled down – with only Mads Mikkelsen and local man Liam Cunningham making an impression.

Clash is the first major live-action film to be converted to 3D in the wake of Avatar and the result is mixed – non CG elements look like they’ve had a lazy second layer applied behind them while the introduction has the right effect but looks like it was rendered on a home PC. For what it’s worth, the action looks great but lacks any real emotion or pay-off; this is Perseus’ story but the camera rarely lingers with him long enough for us to feel like he’s in any real danger. The music is strong and the locations stunning but an uninspired lead, weak action and unconvincing 3D mar what could have been a fun mythical epic.

2.5\5