Clash of the Titans was alright by me, but It didn't stand out as the epic remake I expected from the trailers I saw. Director Louis Letterier's effort to make a defining film based on the story of the demigod Perseus was ok, but it deviated greatly from Greek Mythology, to the point that none of the events that took place in the film are canon besides the slaying of Medusa and the Kraken. Despite the relatively low points and mixed reactions, the movie fared well in box office numbers to warrant itself a sequel, and here we are with the next picture that sees Sam Worthington return to the lead as Zeus' son with "Wrath of the Titans". Anyone who loved the action of the first film and its cast will be geared up for this... but does it play out well as a heroic follow-up or a tragedy to be? Find out in the review below, and special thanks again goes to Warner Bros. Philippines and SM Cinema for the special screening invites, which also gave me a chance to see The Dark Knight Rises Prologue in IMAX again!!
Starring: Sam Worthington, Liam Neeson, Ralph Fiennes, Rosamund Park
Release Date: March 30, 2012
Set 10 years after the events of Clash of the Titans, Perseus is living a mortal life as a single parent raising his son Helius. However, his father Zeus and the rest of the Greek gods are losing their power, causing the walls of Tartarus to crumble and unleashing hordes of demons in the process. Trying to gather whatever Gods remain to restore balance, Zeus is instead betrayed by Hades and his own son Ares, who consort to use his powers to free the great and imprisoned Titan Kronos. With his father captured and seeing that he can no longer ignore his destiny, Perseus reluctantly takes up arms once more, joining forces with his cousin Agenor and Queen Andromeda to find a way into Tartarus, save Zeus, and prevent the world from falling into chaos.
Jonathan Liebesman takes over the director's chair for this flick while Letterier steps down to an executive producer position. While I loved the new director's delivery in Battle: Los Angeles, I can't say the same for Wrath of the Titans. By the title alone, you'd expect to see a sequel that's leaps and bounds ahead of its predecessor. The truth, however, is that it feels more like a squandered opportunity to shine than a big improvement over the first film. Pacing wise, the whole film suffers from delivering a cohesive plot that makes sense, and much of the film is centered on journeys and sibling rivalries that don't really deliver the kind of thrill one seeks from an epic. The franchise already takes liberties at using Greek Mythology and its characters, and yet it doesn't convey a sense of satisfaction for the most part. In fact, one of the biggest disappointments I have with the sequel is that there are barely any Gods or Titans shown besides the leads and familiar faces. It's really all about the action here, and while nothing is wrong with that, I would have wanted a film that balances things out with some rich storytelling.
While the movie certainly leaves a lot to be desired plot wise, I can't fault the rich and wonderful talent who deliver themselves perfectly in Wrath of the Titans. Sam Worthington leads the charge once more as the heroic Perseus, and his portrayal this time around shows the character has aged and gotten slower, but is still skilled and powerful as ever. His father Zeus is once again played by the great Liam Neeson, and its his return appearance as the lord of Olympus that made me want to come back for the sequel. The actor is a certified boss in my list for his performances over the years (which include Darkman, Batman Begins, and Taken), and now that word is out that he'll be cameoing in "The Dark Knight Rises, which is getting me all excited for what's coming for July. Danny Houston and Ralph Fiennes reprise their roles as Poseidon and Hades, while Edgar Ramirez adds a new threat to Perseus' quest in the form of his half-brother Ares, the God of War. The lovely Rosamund Pike steps in as Andromeda, while Toby Kebbel provides the co-star action and comedy relief as Perseus' cousin and Poseidon's demigod son Agenor. It's a well rounded cast, and they play their parts well to the letter, despite the departure from the source material.
For all intents and purposes, Wrath of the Titans is a decent sequel. People looking for an action flick to tide them over will be rewarded with the fast action paced glory this film promotes, but anyone searching for an in-depth plot may be left hanging with the loose threads scattered throughout the film. It's neither bad nor great, and it sticks side-by-side with its predecessor in terms of performance.
Rating - 3/5
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