The Odyssey
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Movie Reviews of The Odyssey
Movie Review: A worthy remake
Summary: 4 Stars
Well firstly, ignore all the reviews of one star that are a few pages down, they all appear to be of arrogant students (I'm a student myself)!Anyway, after reading the poem by Homer, I found the film to be a pretty damn good translation. Sure, there are some bits missed out (like the Cannibals, drug addicts, Ajax and others in the underworld), but it does manage to squeeze in a helluva lot. The effects are pretty good considering this is a TV movie.
And people who complain about the inclusion of the Trojan war? Well how else would you explain the reason for Odyssus sailing home. It did add a new ... scene ... where he curses the gods, which is innaccurate, as in the book he angers Posiedon by bliding Polyphemus, then taunting him. And I would have preffered a bit more focus on his meeting with the Phoenecians, as that is practically half the book! (so are Telemachus' wanderings)
But overall, a fantastic translation. Shame it couldnt make the big screen, with a huge budget. It would have been a box office smash
Movie Review: A great adaptation of a classic tale
Summary: 4 Stars
Thrilling battles, heroic feats, and passionate reunions--this adaptation of The Odyssey has something for everyone. Although it focuses on only the most famous portions of Homer's epic and oversimplifies some of Odysseus's internal struggles, this film captures the spirit of The Odyssey and will help introduce a new generation to the Cyclops, Scylla, and a host of sexy enchantresses. Armand Assante embodies Odysseus--his swaggering bravado, his compassion for his men, his longing for home--and the effects are pretty impressive for a television adaptation. Great for teachers as a companion to the text: this film offers enough context to help make the epic poem accessible to struggling readers. Some graphic violence, and a few passionate scenes (though only one is truly awkward), but certainly less violent than the text itself. It's not a cinematic triumph, and won't be adored by those who already love The Odyssey, but it will draw in those who are new to the stories of brave Odysseus, master mariner and soldier.Movie Review: Reasonable interpretation of a classic
Summary: 4 Stars
When you start with such good material, it's hard to please everyone. Like "The Lord of the Rings" many reviewers are disappointed that the movie didn't match their own visions of a great book. (Notice how no one ever complains that "Goldfinger" or other Bond movies are significantly different from the Ian Fleming novels?) Personally, I thought the re-telling to be convincing, I liked the way they kept the story moving (it IS trying to cover 20 years) and found the special effects "good enough." My kids have worn out the VHS tape and I'm buying a DVD because we enjoy the movie.Lastly, just a pet peeve for other reviewers who complained that Telemachus' double spear throw defied physics...HELLLO!!! last I checked, three headed monsters defied biology!..and that whole Hermes flying thing, totally bogus eh? People..this would be a FANTASY with GODS and GODDESSES, not the new BBC special "Walking with Odysseus!" Sheesh!
Movie Review: Richard Chamberlain, eat yer heart out...
Summary: 4 Stars
Armand Assante may have laid claim to the 'king of the mini-series' crown a long time ago with the productions of "Napoleon And Josephine" and "Jack The Ripper", but in this, he renders any viewings of the multi-million dollar farce "Troy" utterly pointless.
Obviously "The Odyssey" is a tale that should be given the "I, Claudius" treatment, but in this day and age, most of the viewing public wouldn't even last through two episodes. However, 3+ hours is preferable to a trim 90-minute quickie, and most of the cast fail to disappoint.
The special effects are really quite remarkable by tv-standards, particularly the scenes in the underworld. The final battle scene is a bit too gory for kids, but it's handled exceptionally well.
My only gripe? Greta Scacchi is a knockout, but I don't think I'd ever leave Bernadette Peters for her.
Movie Review: Fun to Watch
Summary: 4 Stars
This movie was just so much fun to watch. It was originally made for TV, so when you watch it without commercials you're able to get the full effect of the story without interruptions. This is based on the story The Odyssey by Homer and it follows the story fairly well. Some of the adventures are left out, and some are unfortunate to be so, but the main part of the story of there so you don't feel they just did what they wanted with it.
The acting is very good for a TV movies, as are the special effects. They're not cheap looking which is something TV movies have a problem with sometimes. The costumes are good and the sets are too. You feel like you're with him traveling around the Mediterranean trying to find home.
The ending felt a little rushed to me though. I felt they could have spent a bit more time on that.