Clash of the Titans: Cute Creatures and Sam Worthington

*minor spoilage below*

I went into Clash of the Titans with some trepidation. Though I will always have fond memories of the original, this new movie was entertaining in its own way. The story deviated in that they condensed some elements and added new ones. The major change was the character arc of Perseus, who wants to prove his humanity by fighting like a man rather than using his abilities as a demigod. In the original he didn’t question the gods. They added the character of Io, played by the beautiful Gemma Artenton, who is the new Keira Knightley as far as I am concerned.

The CGI is great, and I don’t think 3D is necessary for this movie, having seen it as 2D. Pegasus’ wings are really realistic, and the Kraken is impressive. Medusa fell short: she wasn’t as terrifying as the original stop-motion Medusa; I think there were too many distractions in her scene and the CGI tail was pretty fake looking. A major annoyance in the movie was a religious zealot who goes after the royal family of Argos, but the other actors were really good, most of them being familiar faces to Masterpiece Theatre fans. The bad guy with the scar from Casino Royale pops up, as does Colin Firth's TCAP pedophile-bait from A Single Man. There were lots of cute creatures in this, my favorite being the Gin people. They resemble the helper that worked with Scotty in the new Star Trek, but with awesome black magic powers. A sentient severed hand even appears. The witches with the oracle eye were really well executed. I was awestruck by Charon, he was a skeleton twisted into the sinews of the wooden shop he pilots.

The jokes were a little conventional, but endearing in a Pirate of the Caribbean sort of way (though without the obnoxious water wheel and Keira-Johnny-Orlando banter). The training scene, though short, was cliché. Sam Worthington shined in this movie, and I’ll pay $10 again to watch him save the day in a Greek warrior tunic. He was his normal serious self, but mustered a smile (I counted twice in the movie) which was a departure for his otherwise predictable performance. His chemistry with Io was a treat, and I wish they did more with that story. The ending was different in that he doesn’t wind up with Andromeda, but there’s a nice twist in the end (though they could’ve shown them kissing).
Sam and Gemma: Great On Screen Chemistry

This isn’t better than the wonderful original, nothing can beat the mechanical owl, but it is a decent movie and I wound up really enjoying myself. This felt very Jerry Bruckheimer, and I think Guillermo del Toro could've made magic with this movie. 4 stars out of 5.

Movie of the Year: Alice in Wonderland

Hedorah and I recently completed a five viewing marathon of Tim Burton's latest masterpiece Alice in Wonderland. The word masterpiece is not good enough to describe this film. We both venture to say that this is the film of the year.

The story is well known to people who have read the beloved children's classic novel. Alice falls down the rabbit hole and enters Wonderland aka Underland, a strange, zany, and wondrous world populated by equally bizarre denizens, from talking animals and playing card soldiers.

Many things make this film memorable, magical, touching, and endearing.

You fall in love with the characters. Mallyumpkin, a mouse that brandishes a sword, is annoying but her fierce loyalty is lovable. Absolem, the cool caterpillar, is enlightening. The fat boys are secondary characters but their humorous banter lights up the screen. The rabbit in the waistcoat is nervous but an intelligent member of the troop. The White Queen, inspired by sexual tv chef Nigella Lawson, is a force of goodness, and is genuine and pure. Bayard the dog is diligent, kind, and protective of his family. The Red Queen is not one dimensional, but a complex, cruel, but sympathetic character because she isn't pretty and was disfavored by her parents. Even minor characters like the frog stewards in the Red Queen's court are lovable. Human characters such as Hamish, though he is ugly and delusional, are endearing in their simplicity. Aunt Imogen, who believes she is engaged to a prince, is a hilarious yet awesomely bizarre character (she's our second favorite). The Mad Hatter, played by chameleon Johnny Depp, of any character is the best. He is adorable and endearing. His lines are so profound and touching, and his scenes are equally humorous and heartwarming. I can't say enough of the Mad Hatter.

The film's message that mad people (aka the most original, true-to-themselves people) are the best kind of people is a powerful theme that sticks with you. The visuals in the movie are not cheap, but imaginative. The story is not just solid, but is of substance. Alice's journey in finding herself and recapturing imagination is a theme that touches everyone, it is through this that we can recapture the wonderment and magic of childhood, where we simply believe six impossible things before breakfast. One where the fact that there is no answer to the question "how is a raven like a writing desk?" an answer enough. One where friendship spans not only distance, but time and place itself. One where the measure of one's worth is their muchness, and can be found only inside oneself. One where madness is normal, and normalcy mad. A world where the best way to travel is by hat... a wonderland.

On the controversial scene of futterwacken: the dance scene catches the viewer off-guard upon the first viewing as it seems to come from nowhere; however, after a second viewing it makes sense as the futterwacken dance is alluded to repeatedly during the film. The scene is really kawaii and a highlight of many highlights.