When Titans Ruled the Earth

When the CGI era finally kicked into high gear, cinephiles were curious how the technology would hold up. Would we look back on early examples of computer-generated monsters as fondly as the stop-motion creations of Ray Harryhausen…or would it all be one cringeworthy experience after another?  Arrow’s new double-feature limited edition of Clash of the Titans (2010) and Wrath of the Titans (2012) is a good a chance as any to cast judgement, two films that not only tried to re-capture the magic of those early handcrafted adventures, but reinvigorate them with modern effects techniques.  And you know what…they both look damn good!

 

More or less following the same plot of the 1981 original, Clash introduces us to the sullen demi-god Perseus (Sam Worthington) who’s all for the anti-Olympus sentiment catching fire in Greece, this despite his status as the son of Zeus (Liam Neeson).  But when Hades (Ralph Fiennes) threatens to “release the Kraken” unless the princess Andromeda is sacrificed, Perseus teams up with a band of soldiers (including Mad Mikkelsen) to claim the head of Medusa.

 

While the script reads like it was pulled from a “how-to-build-a-blockbuster” template, the performances and effects bring it to life with a rousing amount of old-fashioned charm.  Casting Neeson and Fiennes as rival superpowered siblings was a stroke of genius that pays off even more in the sequel, bringing Shakespearean pathos to what would have otherwise been corny cosplay.  But it’s the mythological monsters that put butts in the seats and Clash’s action sequences – involving giant scorpions, flying horses and the Kraken itself – are convincing enough to pass muster nearly fifteen years later.

 

Wrath of the Titans goes one better, piling on more creatures and adding some juice to the battle scenes.  Perseus is recruited once again, this time to free his father from deep within the labyrinth of Tartarus, and prevent Kronos (a gigantic lava monster) from unleashing literal hell on Earth.  With an upgraded cast including Rosamund Pike and Bill Nighy, director Jonathan Liebesman goes darker this time around, staging some truly epic action sequences and crafting a finale that the team at Legendary hasn’t been able to best yet…including all the Godzilla films.

 

A two-disc limited edition, Arrow’s set comes in the 4K or Blu-ray variety (you’ve gotta pick); both look phenomenal so it depends our your set-up and preference.  Most of the extras are carry overs from the previous home video release, but there are two new interviews with producer Basil Iwanyk along with a collector’s book, fold-out posters, artcards and reversible sleeves.  The only fly in the ointment?  No 3D versions are included…not such a loss for Clash (which didn’t take advantage of the format) but a disappointment for the sequel which was a real stunner.

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