Wrath of the Titans Review

Reviewing the film "Wrath of the Titans" starring Sam Worthington as Perseus, Rosamund Pike, Liam Neeson, Ralph Fiennes from Warner Bros.

The film is the sequel to the remake of "Clash of the Titans" and is directed by Jonathan Liebesman. Like always, I cannot thank enough the good folks at Warner Bros. Philippines for the invite (I always stress that because I am forever in their debt).

GIST: The film is a far cry from the "Clash" and I mean it in a good way. And while there have been a lot of elements that have either been removed or revamped, the core appeal and the first movie's structure is still retained and changed a bit. The visuals and CGi on this movie is EPIC and I advise you to see this film (like "Clash) on IMAX although, I hear the non-3D version is still good enough. The total running time is just enough to make you go wow and avoid turning you into a bored veggie. Costume design and execution was pretty nice.



The story for "Wrath" picks up a decade or so after "Clash" with Perseus becoming a widower and a single parent after the death of his wife Io (played in the first film by Gemma Arterton). He sticks with his decision to stay human and become a fisherman regardless of his popularity after slaying the Kraken.

The old gods on the other hand are dying and we get to see them in a more weakened state. We no longer see Liam Neeson's Zeus wearing his gleaming armor. Gone are the stunning visuals for Olympus, instead we (as an audience) get to spend more time in the Underworld.

Yes the Underworld, specifically the prison "Tartarus" where the panteon of Greek gods banished their Titan father together with his cohorts millenia ago. More on Tartarus later.

Now before going to the theater to watch Wrath, Pam and I decided to sit down and watch "Clash". We both found it very serious and with only a few moments that will elicit chuckles. It was a story that was good but not great. Worthington's Perseus at the time was just gruff. He wasn't a bad-ass. He's just an agry demigod swearing revenge on Hades for killing off his folks.

This time however, we get to see a different kind of Worthington. It's the same Worthington that made people talk about due to his performance in "Man on the Ledge". Sam's worthy acting in this new movie shows that he can be the Greek action star/ bad-ass and at the same time the "rough around the edges" guy who just wants to save his dear old dad from the clutches of a molten titan.

Speaking of dad, the movie is definitely ripe with daddy issues so if you've got some daddy issues yourself, you're either going to relate to Ares or go with Perseus.

Another slight modification for "Wrath" was the replacement for the character Andromeda. In the first movie, the princess was played by Alexa Davalos but the sequel changes more than the hair color and switches the equally lovely Rosamund Pike as Queen Andromeda. Yes she is a queen, proof that time did pass.

My problem with Andromeda's role in the movie isn't that she did not kick butt. It's the rather absent blossoming romance between her and Perseus. They meet, they gaze at each other and then once Kronos gets the gruesome death he deserves, the two kiss. It's just like they were just ordered to do so. Hey, if you've seen Clash you'll know that they barely even talked to one another.

The new characters introduced (or re-introduced in this film) were also equally likeable. Even Ares had some attributes that are likeable. I salute the writing team for Wrath for putting a script thats very human (and not godly). By showing not just the emotions for these characters, we get to relate with them... barely.

Ares (played by Edgar Ramirez) is a bit stuck up with his father not choosing him and instead going for Perseus. This god of war has some serious daddy issues and he gets his point across everytime he makes an appearance.

If Ares is angry over his dad, Agenor the so-called "Navigator" is apathetic about his father's final fate. Played by actor Toby Kebell, Agenor is Perseus' cousin and is instrumental in getting the whole journey underway.

I think we owe Kebell's addition as a stroke of genius because if it weren't for him and his funny lines, Wrath would suffer from the same fate as the elder gods. Grainy and dry.

I also found it likeable that they re-did Hades character. Instead of being the main villain, we get to see him as a gray character. I also liked the way Fiennes looked in this new movie as compared to his look in "Clash". The revamp in fashion and even in character makes him the only redeemable character in this movie.

Just like the previous film, "Wrath" tries to mix in a lot of elements in Perseus' story. Depending on how much of a purist you are, you would either be surprised or very angry by how a different Greek hero/demigod's trademark gets mixed into the story.

Other than very minor story blips in my radar, Wrath of the Titans is a fun movie which you can totally watch together with your friends or with a date. Again, it would be best if you catch the movie on IMAX since it totally makes the volcanic explosions and diving shots into Tartarus so lifelike.

VERDICT: 9/10