Immortals Review

Technical Analysis

The producers of 300 give a chance to the commercial turned music videos turned cinematic visual stunner Tarsem (The Fall, The Cell,) to tell us a gaudy Greek God battle which is a visual treat but is flawed by a weak hackneyed script. The set smarts and sumptuous production values along with the CGI in 3D tries to differentiate itself from regular costume drama actioners where you have Gods wearing those props on their head that looks like TV antennas.

Tarsem Singh's previous films `The Fall' and the `The Cell' where the victims of style overpowering substance but where believed to be designed for the niche ones. Immortals seems to be Tarsem's attempt to go mainstream but unfortunately the maker is the victim of his own obsession of lurid fantasia that ignores script smarts and forces the film to be self defeating in its gaudy world of Gods.

After attracting initial legs due to the 300 effect, the movie will faces the danger of restricted word of mouth which is likely to end the movie as a dvd, tv item.

Not recommended for weak stomachs as Immortals 3D bandwagon has the blood and guts jumping out of the screen towards you, usually in horrific slow motion.

The adrenaline junkies might enjoy and never mind this murky plot about a magic bow and arrow with a group of oracles, where the story fails to add any glory and the acting is ordinary. Freida Pinto didn,t get much chance to explore though her role starts beautifully and she does has a hauntingly striking presence on screen and those who got turned out to be stale and pale.

Immortals is a disappointment as it comes from Mark Canton and Gianni Nunnari, producers of the spirited "300," Tarsem Singh's vision riding on the 3D bandwagon was expected to coin the Greek God battle to a new level but pale script hampers all its good prospects.

The Story

The brutal and bloodthirsty King Hyperion (Mickey Rourke) and his murderous Heraklion army are rampaging across Greece in search of the long lost Bow of Epirus. With the invincible Bow, the king will be able to overthrow the Gods of Olympus and become the undisputed master of his world. With ruthless efficiency, Hyperion and his legions destroy everything in their wake, and it seems nothing will stop the evil king's mission. As village after village is obliterated, a stonemason named Theseus (Henry Cavill) vows to avenge the death of his mother in one of Hyperion's raids. When Theseus meets the Sybelline Oracle, Phaedra (Freida Pinto), her disturbing visions of the young man's future convince her that he is the key to stopping the destruction. With her help, Theseus assembles a small band of followers and embraces his destiny in a final desperate battle for the future of humanity.

Business Analysis

Opening this Friday worldwide Immortals - the costume action drama in 3D is not likely to make major killing at the B.O.  Will definitely attract initial legs but faces the danger of restricted word of mouth.

TV dvd returns seem to be more rosy.

Rating ** 

Relativity Media presentation in association with Universal Pictures. Producers: Mark Canton, Ryan Kavanaugh and Gianni Nunnari Line Producer: Jeff G. Waxman. Direction : Tarsem Singh. Writers : Charley Parlapanides and Vlas Parlapanides. Cinematography: Brendan Galvin. Editing: Wyatt Jones and Stuart Levy. Casting: Andrea Kenyon, Joseph Middleton and Randi Wells. Production Design: Tom Foden

Art Direction: Michele Laliberte. Costume: Eiko Ishioka. special effects supervisor: Ryal Cosgrove. Music: Trevor Morris

Starring

Henry Cavill  ... Theseus

Mickey Rourke  ... King Hyperion

Stephen Dorff  ... Stavros

Freida Pinto  ... Phaedra

Luke Evans  ... Zeus

John Hurt  ... Old Man

Joseph Morgan  ... Lysander

Anne Day-Jones  ... Aethra

Greg Bryk  ... The Monk

Jade Larocque  ... Young Virgin #1

Charlie Duret  ... Young Virgin #2

In 3D Rated R for violence and slight nudity.