Immortals

Greek mythology is a fascinating genre and something that rings a bell closer home with Indians. Unfortunately Immortals is a half baked film with ... read more

Greek mythology is a fascinating genre and something that rings a bell closer home with Indians. Unfortunately Immortals is a half baked film with the substance of a Ramanand Sagar TV serial.

The story is classically structured and never really goes beyond that. Its something that all these fantasy films have done before and done it better. Really its just Clash of the Titans meets 300 meets Lord of the Rings. And whats more, its just plain confusing.

Henry Cavill as the protagonist is good but not a patch on Gerard Butler from 300 or maybe his own work in The Tudors. Freida Pinto gets a rough deal with a one-dimensional role that lasts all of 10 minutes in an otherwise short film. Mickey Rourke does slightly better and is barely recognizable as the evil villain though his tacky scar leaves much to be desired in the make-up department.

Tarsem Singh shines as a director with the visuals scoring over everything else in the film. The 3-D work is at par with Avataar and the shot-taking is precise even if the screenplay is not. Everything looks grand and like a painting. So full marks there.

Do I recommend it? Not really. If you are an animation/graphics student who would love to watch a film for pure visual delight and do not mind the gibberish it comes with, be my guest. Otherwise theres plenty to do over the weekend. 2 stars.
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Immortals is visually very rich. Each scene is beautifully framed and the props and settings scream art direction at every step. This is maybe expl... read more

Immortals is visually very rich. Each scene is beautifully framed and the props and settings scream art direction at every step. This is maybe explained by the fact that Tarsem, who is well known for his brilliant ads and music videos is the director. His video of R.E.M's Losing my Religion won the best video award at the 1991 MTV Video Awards. He has also directed lots of ads for Nike, Coca Cola and Pepsi. Thus, the movie has that polished ad film look throughout.\n \nThat is the good part about Immortals. The not so good part is that the amount of killing and maiming and decapitating that happens in the movie (and that too in 3D) numbs you and emotionally disconnects you from the characters. The main effect of watching so much blood gurgling, flowing and coming at you in all its 3D glory was the craving for ketchup that I developed during the interval. \n \nIn the movie the power mad King Hyperion is searching for the Epirus Bow, a legendary weapon which will allow him to free the frozen Titans and then conquer the world. He goes on a rampage looking for the virgin Oracle who will lead him to the bow and wages war against everybody. Theseus is a peasant chosen by the God Zeus to fight Hyperion but the Gods cannot take his side and help him. He has to fight the battle himself. The big fight against Hyperion and Theseus and the role of the Gods is what the story is about.\n \nThere are sufficient twists and turns and obstacles in Theseus' journey to keep us entertained and the visual effects can either disgust you (think gouging out eyes,slashing off heads and smashing testicles) or amaze you. The Gods specially, in their golden aura and their sleek, polished looks completely enchanted me, especially in their fight with the Titans.\n \nHenry Cavill as Theseus is quite powerful looking and Mickey Rourke as the evil king Hyperion has a kind of carefree evilness which is quite appealing. Frieda Pinto plays the virgin Oracle who can see the future. She gets to wear a very flattering red dress and alternate between looking clairvoyant and smoldering. Luke Evans as the God Zeus looks totally cool in the gold outfit.\n \nTarsem said when making this movie “It's a really hardcore action film done in Renaissance painting style”. I would say that he has achieved the painting style he desired in Immortals. If you like epic movies with lots of action and superb visual effects then this one is for you. Otherwise, stay away. view less

For once it didn't matter that the picture looked dark. It didn't matter that the writing was lousy because if you have seen his earlier films you ... read more

For once it didn't matter that the picture looked dark. It didn't matter that the writing was lousy because if you have seen his earlier films you would know that Tarsem will not disappoint when it comes to giving you a visual treat.\n\nWhat's it about? - King Hyperion (Mickey Rourke) is after a dhanush baan that will destroy humanity and only with that dhanush baan will the Titans be released. A mortal man Theseus (Henry Cavill) has to stop him with the help of Oracle Phaedra (Freida Pinto).\n\n\nDoes it work for me ? - Yes.\n\nWhy? - If there is one man who can make watching a 3D film worth it, it has to be Tarsem. Even though this film was shot in 2D and converted into 3D it still deserves to be seen in 3D. Two scenes, the opening and the closing scene is eye poppingly brilliant. The rest of the film suffers from weak writing so in terms of story the film disappoints. None of the characters and actors looked interested in what was happening. Henry Cavill fails to stand out as a hero and Mickey Rourke is in the same mould as his recent movies. Freida Pinto performs like a zombie. Since the film failed to engage me my focus was purely in admiring the production design and visuals. This is Tarsem's weakest film out of the 3 films he has made in a decade. He should leave Greek mythology to someone else and get someone to convert The Cell and The Fall to 3D. I would pay anything to watch those two films in 3D.\n\n\nFinal few words : Immortals is like a guided visual meditation session. This one is for the eyes only. view less

Another mishmash that sources itself from Greek mythology and desperately struggles to come across as a picture that would like to place stringent ... read more

Another mishmash that sources itself from Greek mythology and desperately struggles to come across as a picture that would like to place stringent emphasis on faith and moralities, director Tarsem Singh's Immortals is ingloriously gory, and unfortunately doesn't boast of an intriguing storyline to flatter its prospects.\n\nMickey Rourke plays King Hyperion - a brutally maniacal ruler of the Herakolian army who's on an equally ferocious hunt for a magical bow - referred in the film as the “Bow of Epirus”, which apparently possesses the robustness to uproot the bars where the Titan's have been trapped for centuries, which in turn will further aid him in effectively continuing the bloodbath and what else - attack the Gods and get done with them as well. To counter the steely, cold-as-ice antagonist is the villager-peasant Theseus (Henry Cavill), who is the “Choosen One” - as validated and mentored, albeit unknowingly, by the Gods themselves. Further who turns out to be of suitable help is the virginal oracle Phaedra (Frieda Pinto) who can see visions from the future.\n\nFor humanity to not get extinct, Hyperion must be fiercely dealt with, but can the power-greedy fanatic be defeated, without the interference of the Gods? And more significantly, can Gods be silent spectators as humanity is piercingly threatened of its existence? \n'Immortals' dwells on these conflicts and climaxes with a bloody battle that is neither emotionally affecting, nor a gory feast. It is something boringly predictable, and choreographed in a haphazard fashion, an ending that is conspicuous of the poignancy of far superior products like Gladiator and Troy. \n\nThe set-up initially creates a smokescreen of abundant ambition, but there comes a stage, where screenwriters go for a stroll, infusing lousy lines, and lethargic movement, where only the visuals become the sole source of stimulation. \n\nBut all the striking imagery is undone with a plot that becomes too contrived, and changes focus abruptly without level-headedly deciding on its actual purpose. The coveted Bow of Epirus is momentarily seen and its prowess fractionally exploited, wherein it disappears to conveniently rest in the hands of Hyperion who hastily unleashes the Titans. And then, its existence is immediately deemed unworthy. Throughout, we never really are told as to what really is Hyperion aiming for, and why are his ways the way they are. This drastically depreciates the significance of our protagonist and Hero - Theseus, leaving us without a single strong character to root for. \n\nThe actors in the epic fantasy hinder the film even more - as, apart from Mickey Rourke - who lends his character the much required sinister nerve with an intimidating accent, the remaining acts border mediocrity without any soul in their bodies - Mortal or Immortal. view less

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