My review of Tarsem Singh’s Immortals will be spoiler free. My love of Greek mythology may have biased me positively (I loved Ninja Assassin because I still want to be a ninja despite being 30 years old).
The Olympians were depicted as young (and attractive) people instead middle aged folks, especially since the ancient Greek culture was so fixated physical perfection forms. These gods showed their prowess in combat and got their hands dirty instead fighting by proxy (Poseidon’s tidal waves and sea monsters, Zeus’ lightning bolt, Apollo’s arrows, and Dionysus’ murderous band of drunk women) as in most media productions.
Luke Evans provided a fresh interpretation of Zeus. He wasn’t the typical rash and violence prone elderly king with the libido of a frat boy, he displayed the same level of fatherly compassion as Anthony Quinn’s Zeus (y’all remember Kevin Sorbo’s Hercules series). He generally cared about humanity and looked at them as something more than notches on his belt like the previous Zeus. He even showed compassion for his children (male and female) unlike the mythical Zeus who only seemed to care about his sons in varying levels.
Found several things interesting:
- Theseus’ demigod status and divine paternity was seemingly replaced by a more tragic upbringing.
- The bovine suit that Daedalus made for Pasiphaë was transformed into a cruel torture device.
- The suit was still linked to the result of Pasiphaë and Mino’s prized bull.
- The war between the Olympians and the Titans was similar to the war between the Aesir and Vanir of Norse mythology.
- The lack of Hades and the other major 12 Olympians.
- Apollo’s weapon of choice was changed from a bow to a hammer.
- The racial diversity of the background cast (there were only Caucasian actors and actresses in these types of film).
- The religious ideologies of a believer, an atheist and an agnostic played out in the film.
- The removal of mere mortals dying when they behold a god’s divinity.
- Zeus and Athena using disguises to interact with mortals.
Images courtesy of IGN’s Immortals review
Through the Shattered Lens 
I enjoyed immortals for what it was. I liked it for the action, and for the visual appeal. The lead actor did a pretty good job with what he had to work with, but I felt that the story just didn’t come together like I was hoping. But the movie ended up being just what I expected.
I went in to the movie expecting to see some good action scenes. After seeing the trailer around ten times or more I knew I would enjoy the action, the slow motion sequences and the visual style in general. My friend told me that the lead actor was actually the boy in the count of monte cristo with jim caviezel. I found that bit of trivia interesting.
I thought mickey rourke did well in his portrayal as the bad guy but I must admit there wasn’t a lot of depth to him(not mickey rourke’s fault). He played the ruthless tough bad guy pretty good I thought, with plenty of grunts and gruesome acts. So the build up to his show down with theseyus was pretty fun to watch. But for much of the movie he’s sitting around trying to extract information from people or giving orders to underlings.
Now the gods from olympus I found very interesting. They have special powers of course and look down on events from mount olympus. In my opinion if the movie focused on the gods and their intervention into human affairs it would make for a much more interesting movie. Especially considering how zeus responds to certain actions that made by others in this movie.
In my opinion if you want to see some pretty cool looking action sequences, especially during the end then go see this movie. But be warned this is not an epic war movie in the vain of 300, troy or even something like kingdom of heaven. This movie will slow down, sometimes agonizingly slow. But if you like seeing movies with greek mythology(or greek mythology like elements) than you will probably enjoy this movie.
Hopefully someone will come along and build off of the things that immortals and clash of the titans does right, then we will truly be in for something special.
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The story was weak but I think my fanboy love of Greek mythology caused me to overlook it.
I hope for the same thing.
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I totally agree with you review Senor Geekus’. The only thing I did find odd was number ten on your list of interesting points.
“10. Zeus and Athena using disguises to interact with mortals.”
I do not proclaim a mighty knowledge of Greek mythology but I say with a reasonably level of confidence I’m aware of it more so than your average man.
Did Zeus not often disguise himself as others often his own amusement or to satisfy his beastly urges. Although I do agree I cannot recall Athena using disguise yet she was fond of visiting mortals to impart wisdom and battle tactics to aid them in their adventures of grandeur.
You clearly have a passion for mythology greater than my own and it is very possible that I’m steeping on toes here, if so, I apologise.
Regards.
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10 is linked to 9, mortals generally experienced spontaneous combustion when seeing a god’s true divinity.
You’re right about Athena but she did interfere during the Trojan War & helped her champion wound Ares.
You’re right. Zeus used disguises to sleep with women
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