The 2010 remake of the somewhat more
campy 1981 film of the same name follows the general outline of the
original, but with significant plot differences that will keep it fresh for
fans of the original. That said, "fresh" doesn't always mean "better" or
even "good." The film suffers from a lack of character development, a
horrible score, and especially from a surprisingly weak script.
I've never quibbled (over-much, at
least) with the liberties that either script took with the Greek myths it
lifts from. Perseus is indeed cast into the sea, but (as is common in Greek
mythology), it was due to fears of a prophesy rather than jealousy. Perseus
does, indeed, slay the Medusa in order to save Andromeda from a sea creature
after receiving advice from three Gray Sisters (misnamed the Norns in the
film) who share one eye. But other elements come from other myths. The
scorpions are lifted from the myth of Orion. The winged horse Pegasus is
only ridden in Bellerophon's myth and only makes a cameo in Perseus' story (it
is born from Medusa's blood when Perseus slays her). Perseus instead flies
with the aid of Hermes' winged sandals. Io (who in her own myth is turned into a cow by Zeus to hide
her from Hera's wrath) never appears in Perseus' tale. And two elements
never appear in any Greek myths. Calibos is a pure invention that may
draw from Shakespeare's Caliban from "The Tempest." And while Andromeda is
beset by a sea creature, it is named Cetus; the name for the Kraken comes
from Scandinavian mythology.
But none of these changes are that
material. It's an original tale that draws loosely from multiple
mythological tales and can be enjoyed in that light. Where it suffers is
from its failure to make the audience truly care about most of the
characters. Sam Worthington (perhaps best remembered as the hero in
"Avatar") gives some life and humanity to Perseus, but even his
characterization is a little too stilted to make us care that much about his
fate. And as a special effects film, there's nothing truly epic film that
makes it stand out from predecessors in its genres. The effects are nice but
not particularly innovative, and there's nothing in the film that will make
it go down as a classic. Fun summer popcorn film, but ultimately rentable.
My grade: B-
or the 2010 film
at Amazon