Courtney HowardNovember 10, 20110

IMMORTALS
Directed by: Tarsem Singh
Written by: Charley and Vlas Parlapanides

Starring: Henry Cavill, Mickey Rourke, Luke Evans, Frieda Pinto, John Hurt, Stephen Dorff, Isabel Lucas, and Kellan Lutz

There’s a very famous line from GLADIATOR that Russell Crowe’s Maximus yells to the Roman audience, thirsting for blood and death: “Are you not entertained?” I think of this phrase every time I see any movie. As a critic, it’s the key question that’s answered when composing a review. Naturally, due to the similar subject matter of a poor man becoming a fighter for the people (not to mention the sword-and-sandal milieu), it’s especially apropos with IMMORTALS. The film never takes itself too seriously. As far as inevitable comparisons go, it falls right smack in between 300 (on the higher end of the spectrum) and the CLASH OF THE TITANS remake (on the low end).

In IMMORTALS, megalomaniac King Hyperion (Mickey Rourke) and his evil, bloodthirsty army are rampaging across Greece, destroying everything in their path. Village after village are conquered and decimated on his quest to unleash the sleeping Titans (the vanquished prisoners of a war with the gods) from Mt. Olympus. Once the Titans are awakened, gods and mortals be damned! It would seem no one can stop this madman, until Theseus (Henry Cavill) vows to avenge the death of his mother after she is killed in the raid on his town. When he is taken prisoner by Hyperion, he meets up with a virgin Oracle, Phaedra (Freida Pinto). She’s had visions that indicate Theseus is the key to stopping this destruction, and he answers the call to be the savior for his people. With the help of Phaedra and his right hand man Stavros (Stephen Dorff), he assembles an army just massive as Hyperion’s. Watching and waiting in the heavens above are Theseus’ trainer Zeus (Luke Evans), Athena (Isabel Lucas), Poseidon (Kellan Lutz), and Ares (Daniel Sherman). However, they are bound to not interfere until the Titans are released.

There’s no question about it. IMMORTALS has 5 star visuals. Director Tarsem (THE CELL, THE FALL) adds depth and perspective to fight sequences not applied to 3-D films thus far. Things don’t just don’t come toward the audience, but are happening all around. The final battle feels immersive and tangible in its massive scope. Tarsem suffuses his frame with movement, color, and clarity. Images remain crisp and clear, not suffering from the muddied darkening of the glasses, which helps when you’re checking out every costume detail or ab crease.

However, a movie can’t simply exist on all gloss and no substance. The script from Charley and Vlas Parlapanides pulls from all different cultural sources of mythology to create its own universe – one that’s chock full of silly hats. While the beats are very familiar (ahem, predictable), it’s fun to see how goofy the scenarios become for our heroes. They turn out more campy than clever, which works for this movie. The silver minotaur in Hyperion’s courtyard is used as a deliciously wicked dramatic device that pays off handsomely.

My only real beef with IMMORTALS is in its sexist treatment of its two main female characters. Phaedra, who is pursued and coveted by Hyperion, is virtually forgotten about after she spends the night with Theseus – indicating a woman’s uselessness after she gives her “power” to a man. And it’s not just on Earth where sexism runs rampant. Even in the heavens, Athena gets her fair share of it when Zeus chooses to not permanently extinguish her like her brother. But why not, as they both broke the exact same rule?! Oh, because she’s a girl. When war finally does rage in the spectacular last act, I couldn’t help but think Zeus was probably regretting having one less god around to help him fight the Titans.

IMMORTALS knows it’s not a Shakespearean drama, and never tries to be either. It exists as pure escapist entertainment. Yes, it’s silly – especially the headgear mortals and gods wear – but it’s also a lot of fun. If you embrace this film for the eye candy absurdity it is, you will find yourself entertained.

Very Aware