Genre: Action, Adventure
Released: 2011
Rating: 
Note: “Immortals was not actually shot in 3D. The film was shot in 2D and converted later on in post-production. If you see the film, buy the 2D ticket.
Listen, I know the script and story structure are incoherent but I was absolutely stunned and blown away by the beautifully epic action sequences. I literally had tears streaming down my face during the majority of the battle scenes because I couldn’t handle how epic the slow-motion looked. Director Tarsem Singh doesn’t hold back with the violence in this R-Rated brutal look at a fight amongst Gods and even mankind. With the new Superman at the helm, a sick performance from Mickey Rourke, a terrible script, and awesome action, “Immortals” is one of those films that, while not great, is still worth seeing in a theatre.
If you’re like me, the trailers lead you to believe that this was a rip-off of “300″ even before seeing “from the producers of “300″ pop up on screen. Though, visually, that is an understatement. They can’t show you much in the trailers because most of the visual elements are a bloody mess; and I mean that in a good way. As the film’s action scenes take place, Tarsem’s signature is all over them with vibrant colors and epic slow-motion. My jaw definitely hit the floor numerous times in disbelief that I was seeing something that awesome take place on screen. The action is so good that you forget everything wrongs with the flick.
What ends up hurting the film though is the lack of plot direction. Tarsem has the visual side of the story down to a perfect science. It is absolutely stunning and gorgeous to look at on the big screen. The film is overly confusing and flat-out doesn’t make any sense. I just sat there hoping for action scenes to take place. What’s crazy is that the acting is very good. It all boils down to the script and where these characters are taken. I found it troublesome not knowing enough about what was going on during the film. I was confused as to what characters were doing what and what side everyone was on.
“Immortals” stars Henry Cavill (“Man of Steel”), Freida Pinto (“Slumdog Millionaire”), Stephen Dorff (“Blade”), Mickey Rourke (“Sin City”) and Luke Evans (“The Three Musketeers”).
The film revolves around Theseus (Cavill), a mortal man who is approached, unknowingly at first, by Zeus to lead an army of mortal men in to battle to fight the evil King Hyperion (Rourke). If King Hyperion gets his hand on a special bow, he could wipe out humanity in an instant. Theseus has always had the passion to be a leader but it wasn’t until Hyperion killed his mother before his eyes that his path was paved with revenge and hatred. The interesting aspect is that the Greek Gods, including Zeus, are not allowed to interfere with the human battles unless a particular group is released. You will see this group of Titans inside a very small cube at the beginning of the film. That becomes a very important set piece as we reach the end of the movie.
As I look back on the film, all I can think about are the action sequences, specifically the three simultaneous action scenes cut together at the end. Tarsem has done such a phenomenal job, visually, with this film that it’s hard not to recommend it. The acting is actually strong but it’s the script, structure and direction of the story that really hurt the movie. I spent the entire film confused. Luckily, the division between good and bad during the fight scenes was easy to handle. Though, it really didn’t matter because it was all in epic slow-motion. It’s essentially eye-candy and it tastes great!
The film was not shot in 3D so make sure you skip paying the extra three or four dollars and see the 2D digital version. The visuals are very colorful so this is not something you will want to see with the awful 3D glasses that dim the entire screen. Theatres are trying to brighten these screens now because they know the glasses dim the image but that doesn’t happen everywhere.
Performance-wise, the film works. Mickey Rourke plays an excellent and menacing bad guy. His voice is just so perfect and dark for the role. I had my eye on Henry Cavill though, since he’s playing the next Superman in Zach Snyder’s 2013 “Man of Steel.” He was a great leading man and did a fantastic job of giving a brutal performance. I normally dislike when characters give gigantic motivational speeches to their men before going in to battle but Cavill did a great job with his speech!
Honestly, I might go back and pay to see the movie again this weekend just so i can watch the action sequences. They are a five out of five while the rest of the movie is a two out of five, which leads me to give “Immortals” a solid three out of five. Catch the matinee!