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I'm probably going to be pegged as a guy who reviews movies before he sees them, but I'll risk it because I need a new journal entry anyway.
Clash of the Titans looks at long darn last to be a movie that's FUN.
Now in case you've forgotten what that means (or, if you come from Hollywood, are furiously consulting Wikipedia) that's a quality of something that makes it enjoyable to sit through, something that entertains and makes one happy and excited at its terminus.
What fun does not mean (Directors? Pencils at the ready...)
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-Gratuitous violence
-Racial slurs
-Preaching to the choir
-Brooding depression
-Political grandstanding
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Want an example of fun so you can see it in action?
I'd be the first to admit this may be just that odd one out chromosome talking, but I think its action, sweeping and imaginative worlds, creative beasties, heroic and villainous characters (preferably played by actors having as much fun as the audience), and all of that nonsense that both Hollywood decries as foolish, forgettable, and childish...and yet which breaks the bank every-time someone is crazy enough to make a movie about it. Consider. Oscar Award winning pictures rarely even break even or stay in the running for more then a few weeks, despite rave reviews.
G.I. Joe? Ironman? The Dark Knight? 300?
All made a profit, started trends, sold well overseas, and not one was even mentioned once at the Oscars.
Clash of the Titans may not change the world, but darn it, it seems for the moment like classic filmmaking without all the baggage attributed by modern filmmakers. Perseus is not (god I hope not) going to give a speech about health care reform, the medusa will not be working for an evil oil company, the kraken will not ONCE say 'you're either with us or against us', and Kaliban (I'm reasonably sure) will not sneer 'mission accomplished' either.
I hope to all that is good there will be no environmental, social or political messages. I want this to be 'dumb' in the public eye. This should be the retelling of mythology, with all the madness, stylization, bigger then life events, monsters, heroes and villains implied. I want to go into this film and think 'this is going to be a story, not a platform. I'm going to see action, not politicizing.'
I've of course NOT seen this movie since it isn't out yet and I may be left in the dust once more as Persuses begins endorsing Obama in the next trailer, or it turns out the medusa's are Christians or something.
I want this movie to be out of touch, out of step with the culture, with hollywood, with the news, with politics, with everything.
I want this to be another word Hollywood and many others have forgotten.
CLASSIC.
I loved the original and for once seeing it updated I can only say 'If the first filmmakers had CGI, that's probably what they would have done too.'
Bring on the giant scorpions, giant sea monsters, eyeless witches of fate, gods, demons, and harpies!
And hope that looking back we won't be able to tell when this movie was made by counting the buzz words, but pop it in the player, settle in with some rowdy friends, and enjoy it.