Clash of the Titans

Rating:
Summary: This is an excellent movie a great classic for children.
Review: I rember the first time I saw this movie I was astonished as a kid. I still watch the movie many times and is one of my all time favorite movies. Early clay-mation action. But the Story line makes up for all of it.

Rating:
Summary: Good movie
Review: This is my favorite movie based on mythology. The acting was really good. The Medusa scene was very suspenseful. If you are a fan of mythology or stop-motion animation, then you'll love Clash of the Titans.

Rating:
Summary: I'd say 50/50....
Review: I remember watching this movie as I was growing up. Granted, the special effects are cheezy and the picture quality sucks,but, this IS after all an OLD movie. I do like the overall outcome of the movie though. I think if you are a fantasy lover, you may at least want to give "Clash of the Titans" a chance.

Rating:
Summary: it was ok if you are a couch potato
Review: this was a very weird plot.bad graphics.bad acting bad cast.not even close to the actual legend.other than that it was great!

Rating:
Summary: Excellent sword/sorcery adventure with memorable scenes
Review: I enjoyed Clash of the Titans. Having seen it at a young age I loved the epic fantasy hack/slash scenes but could not appreciate as much the more internal dialogue between the gods and between the mortals as when I viewed it when I was older, but upon repeated viewings I found that I would pick up more and more of the hidden meanings and found that I liked it all the better for them.

Rating:
Summary: Greek Epic Myth On DVD: Fantasy Of High Calibre
Review: 1981: Ray Harryhousen made the special effects, monsters and clay "creations" for this Greek epic myth about the heroic deeds of Perseus. Harryhousen had previously made the magic possible for such films as "Jason and the argonauts", another film revolving a Greek myth, and the sci-fi classic "Earth vs. the flying saucers." Harry Hamlin, tv actor from the 80's series L.A. Law (and a hot hunk I had a crush on as a girl), makes an impressive performance as the confident, toga-wearing, muscle-bound, swordsman Perseus, who defeats monsters, including the three headed dog from Hell and the sea monster Kraken.

British actress Dame Maggie Smith (from Sister Act films and Hook) and the esteemed British actor Laurence Olivier play the roles of the goddess Thetis and Zeus, who are involved in a bitter feud. Zeus protects Perseus, as he is his son by a mortal woman, but Thetis is upset that Zeus shows no mercy to the deformed Calabos, her son, who was once a handsome prince. Calabos has the princess Andromeda (Claire Bloom) under a dark spell. She will be married to the man who solves the nightly riddles she is given. Perseus solves the riddle and becomes engaged to Andromeda. But when the queen Cassiopeia elevates her daughter's beauty above that of their patron goddess Thetis, Thetis becomes so enraged she puts Andromeda in a tight spot. She will be the sacrificial victim for the hunger of the sea monster, the Kraken. Perseus journeys to the Underworld, defeates the snake-haired Medusa and with his friends, the old wise man, the winged white horse Pegasus and a robotic owl (who chirps and buzzes almost like R2D2 in Star Wars). He frees Andromeda, who as the classical myth dictates, was chaind to a rock by the sea, and the ending is a very happy one.

Thanks to the fine acting by Harry Hamlin, whose heroism comes through as shining as Perseus (not to mention his good looks), Andromeda (Claire Bloom), Maggie Smith as the vindictive goddess and Zeus (Laurence Olivier) as an eloquent, authoritarian king of the gods. The London Symphony Orchestra fills the soundtrack with lofty themes, romantic melody and dramatic highlights. One of these highlights is the moment when Perseus tames Pegasus. This film was a classic in the 80's and is still great to watch, especially with the magic of DVD. A must have for fantasy fans, a great addition to fantasy films. Look for "Jason and the Argonauts" with Harryhausen effects, equally a match to this film, although dating from an earlier time, the 60's.

Rating:
Summary: Greek mythology Hollywood style for the 80s.
Review: It was nearly twenty years after I last saw this movie repeatedly on cable premium channels that I heard Clash of the Titans being mentioned, and that was the movie Randall was trying to watch in Jay and Silent Bob but the title characters were making a fuss outside the video store.

The story is about Perseus and his battle with the Medusa, rescuing Princess Andromeda, and marrying her, but inbetween, there are a series of adventures, mostly due to the machinations of the gods and goddesses. It begins with Acrisius, Perseus's grandfather and King of Argos, sending his daughter Danae and her infant son Perseus into the sea, locked in a large ornate box. Perseus grows up gifted, handsome, strong, lucky, all because Zeus is his father-at least the reference to him inpregnating Danae as a shower of light is mentioned.

Part of Perseus's conflict is with Calibos, the son of Thetis (the goddess of the sea, whereas actually she was chief of the sea nymphs or Nereids). Calibos is the opposite of Perseus, killing and despoiling everything, and all but one of Zeus's sacred winged horses, for which despite Thetis's pleas for mercy, he is metamorphosed into a hideous satanic-looking half-human monster. Thetis in turn decides to mess with Perseus, transporting him from Seraphos to Joppa. Perseus meets and is befriended by the playwright Ammon, as well as making allies with Thallo, one of Queen Cassiopeia's soldiers.

Joppa is under a curse by Calibos, whose thrall Princess Andromeda is under. Suitors who fail to answer a riddle end up as barbecue. However, Andromeda doesn't seem to have the body of a lion and this is the story of Perseus, not Oedipus. Indeed, Thomas Bulfinch and Edith Hamilton will have major cows on seeing this mishmash of Greek mythology cranked out by Hollywood. Charon was the ferrymen to the underworld Hades, and not to the Isle of the Dead, and Cerberus, the guardian of Hades loses a head to become the two-headed Dioskilos. The Graea, who had a movable eye and tooth between, lose the tooth to become the Stygian Witches. And Bubo the golden mechanical owl was clearly meant for the kids, its whistling and tooting a reference to Star Wars and R2-D2.

As for Ray Harryhausen's special effects, Bubo, the giant scorpions, and Medusa are best realized, the vulture being another disaster like the baboon in Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger. The scene in Medusa's lair and the battle of the giant scorpions are the best. And the gifts Perseus gets from the gods come in handy for the action sequences. But compare Perseus's invisible helmet and golden owl to Harry Potter's invisible cloak and Hedwig-interesting parallels there. Those growing up on Potter and the newer Star Wars films will be disappointed with the dated effects here.

The mostly British allstar cast does well, especially Laurence Olivier giving credible authority as Zeus, angry and yet fatherly. Ursula Andress has only a few lines as Aphrodite, yet it's ironic, that as Honey Rider in Dr. No, she was a modern-day Aphrodite rising from the sea. Maggie Smith (Thetis) is the only other goddess who figures prominently. The mortals do just as well, Judi Bowker radiant as Andromeda, Burgess Meredith (Ammon) coaching someone other than Sylvester Stallone, Tim Pigott-Smith (Thallo). Neil McCarthy's lantern-jawed features and large hands are recognizable behind the makeup of Calibos.

But let's examine the title. The Titans were the primordial deities banished by Zeus and the other deities of Olympus. On one level, the main story involves the battle between Perseus and Calibos, but behind them, it's Zeus against Thetis. And the rows of clay figures in Mount Olympus mirrors how the gods messed with the heads of mortals, due to their whims. The Greek deities were thus no better than the flawed mortals they were supposedly morally superior to.

After finally getting this, I enjoyed it well enough only because I saw it so many times in the 80s, but there are more gripes about it, not from the special effects but because the historian/scholarly part of me frowns when it comes to inaccuracy in Hollywood. 3.5 out of 5.


Rating:
Summary: Our hero, Harry 'Ham' lin
Review: This flick is over 20 years old and was a favorite when cable TV first went into homes across America. The classic Greek Mythology comes alive with Clash of the Titans.

Perseus is played by Mr. Harry Hamlin, and even though he physically fits the part, his acting is as wooden as the sword he first receives in the theater. I mean he is trying so hard to be so articulate. Every word must be slowed down and each syllable is stressed for maximum effect. I just shudder when he looks in the distance and says "Callibus".

Anyway the rest of the movie is cool. Dated? Oh hell yes, but the big stop motion creatures are part of what gives this movie so much charm, just like the old Sinbad movies. Everyone loves the Medusa scene. The giant scorpions that rise from the blood of Medusa are also cool. I think another reviewer was correct in saying that this film is not entirely accurate. I think Pegasus was born from Medusa's blood and did not originate from a herd that was killed off.

Anyway the Stingeon witches, the gods (espescailly Aphrodite), and the Pesidan (sp) are all a treat to watch again and again. Maybe if you grew up with this movie and remembered the charm it had when you first saw it, you can still watch it and remember the good old days. Kids today who know nothing but CGI will scratch their heads and ask why everything looks so fake and quirky.



Rating:
Summary: A classic fantasy epic!
Review:
Set in Greek mythological times, a mortal named " Perseus" ( Harry Hamlin) is the son of the god "Zeus" ( Laurence Olivier), his destiny is to become a prince and marry the beautiful Princess Andromeda ( Judi Bwker) whom has a terrible where in 30 days she will be sacrificied to the dreaded Kraken beast. Perseus's mission is to battle his way through a variety of monsters to find a way to destroy the Kraken or else the city with the princess will be destroyed.

An entertaining and spectacular fantasy classic with awesome stop motion special effects by Ray Harryhausen, fine acting, action, an awesome music score, cool monsters and co-starring Brugess Meredith, Maggie Smith, Claire Bloom, Flora Robinson and Sian Phillips.

The DVD is quite good with decent picture & nice sound, three good extras like trailer, interview with Ray Harryhausen, and a gallery on the creatures of greek myth.

Also recommended: " Ladyhawke", " Conquest" ( 1983), "Conan The Barbarian", "Willow", " The Princess Bride", " The Dark Crystal", " Harry Potter", " Lord of the Rings", " The Wizard of Oz", "Legend", "Krull", " Wizards", " Vampire Hunter D", " The Black Cauldron", " Return to Oz", " Big Trouble in Little China", "Hercules" ( Disney).

Rating:
Summary: Well Done
Review: If you've seen this movie before, the DVD version is very good.
The video quality is great, but the audio wasn't re-mixed to 5.1.
It's stereo, and sounds pretty good. Also, the bonus features are OK. An interview with Mr. Harryhausen and some blips about how the monsters were created. They could have done more. (would have been 5 stars if in 5.1)

If you've never seen this movie, it's great family entertainment. It's based on Greek mythology, complete with Greek god intervention and monsters. Very little gore, if any, and brief nudity.