Rajeev Masand – movies that matter : from bollywood, hollywood and everywhere else

November 11, 2011

Cast: Henry Cavill, Mickey Rourke, Freida Pinto, Luke Evans, Stephen Dorff

Director: Tarsem Singh

For many, the prospect of watching Henry Cavill spend roughly 110 minutes shirtless, will be a good enough reason to watch Immortals. This swords-and-sandals epic based on a slice of Greek mythology stars Cavill as Theseus, a peasant in ancient Greece, chosen by the gods to fight the evil King Hyperion (Mickey Rourke) who wishes to bring the world to its knees. In order to stop him, Theseus must procure the Epirus Bow, a weapon of unimaginable power, which only the “virgin oracle” Phaedra (Freida Pinto) can help him find.

Less cheesy than Clash of the Titans, yet equally hard to take seriously, Immortals is directed by Tarsem Singh whose brilliant visual style is easily the film’s calling card. The war scenes are less bloody than 300, but there’s enough decapitation and dismemberment to turn off the faint-hearted. The most laughable portions in the film are those in which the beautiful gods leave their Olympian penthouse and prance about on earth in their shiny suits and bizarre headgear that resembles television antennas.

Henry Cavill, who’s been cast as Superman in the forthcoming Man of Steel movie is a charismatic actor who keeps a straight face while delivering some of the film’s corniest lines. Immortals is far from unwatchable, thanks mostly to its arresting visuals and a thrilling climatic battle scene in which Theseus charges directly into Hyperion’s army, slicing, dicing and stabbing his way through his enemies. To be fair, the 3D is immersive, and it enhances the film’s detailed production design. But it’s ultimately a clunky film that takes itself a little too seriously for its own good.

I’m going with two out of five for Immortals. It’s sexy, sure…but just not enough to drop everything you’re doing and head to the cinema.

(This review first aired on CNN-IBN)