Film Review: Immortals

(Published in Issue 4 of my publication In Retrospect and on BritScene)

Rating:

From the producers of 300 and directed by Tarsem Singh, Immortals is a 3D fantasy action based on the Greek myths of Theseus and the Minotaur.

Taking place in 1228BC, a mortal man named Theseus (Henry Cavill) is chosen by Zeus (Luke Evans) and the Greek Gods to lead a fight against the barbarous King Hyperion (Mickey Rourke), who has declared war on Olympus after the Gods fail to answer his prayers. Hyperion, now on a rampage across Greece, seeks the magical bow of Epirus in order to free the Titans, defy the Gods and destroy all of humanity. Theseus, however, now seeks the Bow for himself. After escaping from prison and befriending a prisoner named Stavros (Stephen Dorff), he meets the beautiful oracle Phaedra (Freida Pinto) who is convinced by her own disturbing visions that he may just be the key to stopping the destruction. With her help, Theseus assembles a small band of followers as, after stealing the bow for himself, Hyperion’s soldiers attack Phaedra’s temple and release the Titans. With Hyperion forcing his army to face a war against the Gods themselves, Theseus must embrace his destiny in a final battle to save the future of humanity.

Film Review: Iron Man 2

Rating:

Directed by Jon Favreau, Iron Man 2 follows on from its predecessor as billionaire Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) announces his dual life as the armoured superhero, Iron Man, to the rest of the world. As news bulletins repeat in the background of family homes, the setting focuses in on the dull streets of Russia as a powerful enemy, Ivan Vanko (Mickey Rourke), watches with an evil glare, adding the final touches to his own weaponed suit. Meanwhile, Tony Stark is facing pressure from the government to share his technology with the military. Lt. Col. James Rhodes (Don Cheadle) and assistant Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow) are growing tired of Tony’s unwillingness to cooperate, leaving Tony isolated with his own problems.