IMMORTALS
(R)
MOVIE: **1/2 (out of 5)
BLU-RAY EXPERIENCE: *** (out of 5)
BY KEVIN CARR
Bridging the gap between “Clash of the Titans” and “Wrath of the Titans,” we get another Greek myth special effects movie with “Immortals.” Directed by visually-obsessed director Tarsem, who has made fine-looking movies like “The Cell,” “Immortals” tells the story of Theseus (Henry Cavill) trying to defeat the evil King Hyperion (Mickey Rourke) who wants to release the imprisoned Titans to fight the Gods.
Like Tarsem’s other films, “Immortals” looks gorgeous. It’s a digital effects set piece, improving on the relative rudimentary elements of “300” (though made on a higher budget years later). There’s some great action moments, and the characters all look fantastic with their rippling abs and bulging muscles. There’s also a comical amount of silly hats worn by practically everyone in the movie, so it’s not something to take too seriously.
The story stumbles a bit, especially in the middle, trying to keep focus on a plot that really only has about an hour’s worth of weight to it. I didn’t dislike “Immortals,” but it wasn’t terribly compelling either. These sword-and-sandal movies can be very basic, and if you’re deeply into Greek mythology, you’ll likely have some problems with the liberties taken. The Gods, in particular (featuring the always goofy Kellan Lutz as Poseidon and the pretty but sickly skeletal Isabel Lucas as Athena) are as silly as their hats.
Still, for a night of escape with sweaty abs and plenty of nipples to go around, “Immortals” can still be fun. Come for the effects. Stay for the action. Leave all other expectations behind.
The package includes two discs, the Blu-ray and a Digital Copy disc. The Blu-ray includes several special features, including deleted scenes and an alternate opening and beginning. There’s also two featurettes: “It’s No Myth” which looks at the mythology origins of the story and “Caravaggio Meets Fight club: Tarsem’s Vision” which looks at the fight choreography. Finally, a digital version of the “Immortals: Gods & Heroes” graphic novel is encoded on the Blu-ray.