Gods and Monsters
By TIM DAVID HARVEY
173 Mins. Starring: Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Robert Pattinson, Lupita Nyong'o, Samantha Morton, John Leguizamo, Jon Bernthal, Himesh Patel, Elliot Page, Bill Irwin, Benny Safdie, Corey Hawkins, Logan Marshall-Green, Mia Goth, Travis Scott, Zendaya & Charlize Theron. Screenplay: Christopher Nolan. Director: Christopher Nolan. In: Theatres.
Time waits for Nolan. Chronos is a catalyst and key tenet in Christopher's work. Reverential reference to one of his most underrated gems intended ('Tenet', coming out of the planetary pandemic of 2020). Whether it be the incredible and inspired 'Interstellar'. Or the non-linear 'Dunkirk' complete with a ticking score from compelling composer Hans Zimmer that even harks back to the highlight of Nolan's Batman trilogy, 'The Dark Knight'. The hands of a clock are to Nolan, what coming home is to Matt Damon. Whether it be 'Saving Private Ryan', or 'The Martian'. Damon and Nolan have collaborated on a couple of cinematic gems before. One we can mention (the Oscar winning Best Picture 'Oppenheimer') and another we still won't give the game away for (why are you even looking in these brackets?). This calendar, one of the most marketable actors in Hollywood all-time, and the thinking man's blockbuster director give us the highest-grossing R-rated film of all-time.
Crossing over $500 million in IMAX returns, 'The Odyssey' has even taken over the phenomenon of 'Chiikawa', now it has finally been released here in Japan, on September 11th. Lasering its name on Academy Awards to come, and this is with most IMAX theatres closing for renovations to add their new electric touch. Poor choice of timing (in your favourite Joker voice) as this amazing adaptation is the first feature-film to be filmed exclusively on IMAX cameras. No matter how loud they, or your local theatre, get. Christopher Nolan consulted many a translation of Homer's poem (right now, I'm almost home on one from T.E. Lawrence, the Lawrence of Arabia), to craft his cinematic take on Odysseus' travels and voyage home in the face of Poseidon, Cyclops (a brilliant Bill Irwin), some sirens, a nymph (an undeniable Charlize Theron), and a whole lot of hog served up by a stellar Samantha Morton ('Minority Report') that will have Japanese movie-goers spirited away, like Studio Ghibli.
Damon is dominant here, just like he is with a bow and arrow. All other Hollywood pretenders should take a knee for a re-Bourne star who would have been one of the all-time greats even if he never left Boston ('Good Will Hunting', 'The Departed'). But he's not alone in this cinema with a cast and crew of hundreds. Let alone all the recognizable faces, ashes to dust, that Nolan puts more than the paces through. Literally strapping Ben Affleck's best friend to a ship and lashing ocean waves at him like his name was Hokusai. Haunted by the Gods, like an incredible Zendaya, Damon almost has the show stole by his own son. Played perfectly (almost born to) by your friendly, neighbourhood Spider-Man, Tom Holland. He may not share a scene with his real-life queen, but he does continue the camaraderie with a bold Jon Bernthal, that The Punisher and his Parker did for the only other movie that could web-up Odysseus this Summer, 'Spider-Man: Brand New Day'. Matched only by his counsel with the great, and aged, John Leguizamo. Blindingly, beyond brilliant.
Zendaya wedded Robert Pattinson in 'The Drama' of one of the bravest and most controversial movies of the year. Pattinson (who will reunite with her this fall in the epic conclusion of 'Dune: Part Three' for the only one who could match the size and scope of Nolan in Denis Villeneuve) leads a gang of suitors looking to usurp an M.I.A. Matt, featuring Straight Outta Compton's' Corey Hawkins (AKA Dr. Dre) and a snivelling Pattinson's best impression of the bastard child of James Woods in 'Casino'. That's not all that threatens to upset the house like Logan Marshall-Green, replacing lookalike Cosmo Jarvis ('Shōgun), who had a scheduling conflict. As all these freeloaders want the hand that has been feeding them until they have drunk her dry. Who wouldn't want to get that close to the great Anne Hathaway? The frequent Nolan flyer (from Catwoman to 'Interstellar' travel) who is having a year like no other ('The Devil Wears Prada 2', 'Mother Mary', 'Mother's Instinct' (here in Japan), 'The End Of Oak Street' and 'Verity' to come)? Acting up a storm and owning her moment. Next in line, Mia Goth, watching on.
There are big guns across the board. All before the blazing third act. One I didn't finish before bedtime in the book. In these days of chicken before the egg, I recommend you do the same with Homer (no, not that one). Read some and save some for later. Both in the movies reveal and the prose itself. Despite what those on the internet say, there are inspired turns from '12 Years A Slave' Oscar-winner Lupita Nyong'o and 'Inception' (there we go with time again) star Elliot Page. Director/actor Benny Safdie, looking like The Dark Knight of Ancient Greece, even shows up, despite leaving 'Oppenheimer' without a handshake. But it's 'Yesterday' star Himesh Patel that really makes a mark today. Ditto to the bard of Travis Scott, showing us how 'The Odyssey' has been retold through oral poetry. Scott mixing in with James Blake and the score of Ludwig Göransson, based on Bronze Age percussion and ancient instrumentation.
'Troy', '300' and anything else that claims it is Sparta better bow down to the new Greek God with kick. These Gods and monsters have even overtaken 'Jurassic World' to become Universal's highest-grossing film. "A time of apparent magic" will really have a hold on you by Zeus's law. In a violated modern-day it really has something to say, too. Beyond being Nolan's best work (alongside 'Oppenheimer', 'Interstellar' and 'The Dark Knight'). If 'Inglorious Basterds', 'Django Unchained' and his forthcoming final film is Quentin Tarantino's rewriting of the past, 'Dunkirk', 'Oppenheimer' and 'The Odyssey' is Christopher Nolan's history trilogy lesson. From the art inspiration taken from Francisco Goya's 'Saturn Devouring His Son', to the movie's message hidden in that infamous and iconic Trojan War horse. Just when you thought you wouldn't fall for that one again. Written and directed by Christopher Nolan, centuries later, Homer is done proud. The xenia of host and guest with honour. This 'Odyssey' is outstanding.
Further Filming: 'Oppenheimer', 'Dunkirk', 'Troy'.
No comments:
Post a Comment