Immortals

Year: 2011
Genre: Action Adventure
Directed: Tarem Singh
Stars: Henry Cavill, Mickey Rourke, Stephen Dorff, Frieda Pinto, Luke Evans, John Hurt, Joseph Morgan, Isabel Lucas, Steve Byers, Daniel Sharman
Production: Relativity Media

Action-adventure films are like fast food, they may be tasty but they have very low nutritional value. Immortals is a White Castle crave case full of 3D chaos and set piece soigne.

The plot (if I can use such a word) concerns itself with Hellenic peasant Thesesus (Cavill) who along with being the most attractive pauper in his cliff dwelling village is also pretty handy with a spear. After seeing his mother killed at the hands of King Hyperion (Rourke), he seeks vengeance while trying to stop Hyperion's quest for world domination via freeing the Titans from their imprisonment. Luckily Theseus has the Gods on his side as well as an attractive oracle played by Frieda Pinto.

Mickey Rourke arguably had the toughest acting challenge of his career in this film; attempting to appear menacing dressed like a cross between a "Mad Max" marauder and the Rabbit of Caerbannog. Freida Pinto who is as beautiful and disrobed as ever simply has little to do besides spouting exposition and Henry Cavill who tries his hardest is betrayed by a lacking script. Other supporting cast members, Stephen Dorff, Luke Evans, John Hurt and Isabel Lucas fare much worse having to play forgettable and disposable characters while wearing an assortment of increasingly silly head gear.

Director Tarsem Singh who previously directed The Cell (2000) and The Fall (2006) has had a history of visually ambitious yet vapid films. "Immortals" continues that trend offering some pretty neat visuals and good use of 3D technology. The fight scenes while occasionally redundant never cease to loose the interest of the viewer, even if they occasionally induce unintended laughter.

Their is a certain audience for films like Immortals. You know who you are and no doubt won't take heed to any of my criticisms. But for those who were intrigued by the words "from the makers of 300 (2006)" yet aren't motivated by blood lust, here are some words for ware.

Final Grade: F