Clash of the Titans (7/27/2010)

Rated PG-13 for fantasy action violence, some frightening images and brief sensuality.

Directed by Louis Leterrier (The Incredible Hulk and Transporter 2)

Starring Sam Worthington, Liam Neeson and Ralph Fiennes

JONATHAN’S WORD: I saw it in the theatre… wished I had just rented it.

TODD’S WORD: That’s a good summary. I concur.

JONATHAN’S WORD: I think the biggest disappointment in this film was that my expectations were high. I liked the original when I was a kid, and I figured, “Hey, with all the ground they’ve covered with CGI between now and then, this one should rock the house!” It didn’t. It was just “aight.”

TODD’S WORD: “Aight?”

JONATHAN’S WORD: Yes… you don’t like my use of slanguage? Heck, our website has one of the best slang dictionaries on the web… don’t you think I can insert a word here and there?

TODD’S WORD: Sigh. We digress.

As mentioned, Clash of the Titans is the 2010 remake of them 1981 fantasy film that has become a cult classic. Like the old film, the new movie is set in the Greek city of Argos where a war is about to explode between man and the gods. Perseus (Sam Worthington), raised as a fisherman, is actually the son of Zeus (Liam Neeson).

JONATHAN’S WORD: Which makes him a demi-god. Sheesh. Aren’t you glad this is just fiction. It would be lame to have a god that is as fallible as us humans.

TODD’S WORD: I agree. So Perseus, angered by the death of his earthly family, is about to take on the gods, especially Zeus' brother Hades (Ralph Fiennes), the god who kills his family. However, it is Perseus's destiny to rescue the city of Argos from the ruthless rage of Hades and his Kraken monster. With nothing to lose, Perseus leads a band of soldiers on a quest to defeat the Kraken. In doing this, Perseus will prevent Hades from overthrowing Zeus and in turn destroying mankind.

JONATHAN’S WORD: As you were just mentioning these actors, I can’t help but think—the last time I saw Fiennes and Neeson together was Shindler’s List. What a step down.

TODD’S WORD: That’s’ right. I didn’t think of that.
I agree with your earlier statement about having high expectations for this film. I was eight years old when the original Clash of the Titans was released but had to wait a few years before I first saw it. I remember it like it was yesterday, I was staying at my cousin’s house for the weekend and it was playing on HBO… I swear I watched it four times that weekend. The next weekend I went back and watched it a couple more times. The following weekend… yep more of the same. I mean come on… swords, giant scorpions, and flying horses– it was more than my 10-year old brain could handle.

JONATHAN’S WORD: How old is your brain now?

TODD’S WORD: Huh?

JONATHAN’S WORD: Never mind. My brain just stopped aging at about 12. I wondered if you had the same problem.

TODD’S WORD: If you don’t like “fantasy” films, please don’t bother. There really isn’t anything about this movie that will appeal to those who are looking for the next Oscar winning film or the next Titanic love story. But if you walk into the theater hoping to enjoy a fun, entertaining film (with its share of cheese)… definitely check this out.

JONATHAN’S WORD: Emphasis on the cheese.

TODD’S WORD: The cast of Sam Worthington, Liam Neeson and Ralph Fiennes are all great, but my favorite was Mads Mikkelsen (the bad guy from the recent James Bond films) – he was really good.

JONATHAN’S WORD: He was. And I have to admit, the performances were strong. I’d expect nothing less from this caliber of actors.

TODD’S WORD: Any time you do a remake, reimagining or re-whatever they want to call it, there is usually at least one tongue-in-cheek moment and Clash did not disappoint there either. Don’t worry I won’t spoil it for you but I will say it involves that metal owl from the original.

JONATHAN’S WORD: That was hilarious. Fans of the old film with love that.

TODD’S WORD: Finally. Jonathan and I have had our share of conversations (arguments really) about the new 3D technology. I love it, you don’t – well I hated it in Clash of the Titans. But I know why. I loved it in films like Avatar, Christmas Carol and Journey to the Center of the Earth… because they filmed the entire movie with that in mind. The crew of Clash of the Titans filmed everything in 2D then went back (once they saw the dollar signs Avatar was generating) and added some 3D effects… Ugh what a waste.

JONATHAN’S WORD: Yeah, and I saw the 2D version on purpose. So I’m sure the 3D sucked… because it always sucks!

TODD’S WORD: I don’t care if it’s cheesy, I don’t care if it’s a bit silly. I was thoroughly entertained for almost two hours and more importantly… I felt like a kid again. I will definitely rent it and watch it a few more times.

JONATHAN’S WORD: I agree that it was mildly entertaining. Although, this time around I was a little more bothered by the constant talk of gods and demi-gods.

I know… what should I expect when I go see a film about mythology?! When I was a kid, maybe it didn’t bother me as much. But now, as a more mature believer in one loving God, our creator… it was sad to see polytheism played out on the large screen. Sure, I know it’s pure fiction. But it was seasoned with human resentment toward their creator. It was hard for me to sidestep.

I probably won’t be renting this one again.

SHOULD KIDS SEE IT?
It’s a PG-13 film… but by today’s standards, actually a very clean PG-13 film. I would want to watch it with my young kids so I could talk with them after the film about the mythology portrayed in the film.

Conversation Starter
Three Simple Questions (with Answers You May Be Looking for):

Q: What was the theme (or the message) of this movie?
A: If one message from the movie stands out head and shoulders above all else, it’s that there are many gods, and some of them are good and some of them are bad. It’s a message that just doesn’t line up with the Bible… at all.

Q: What can we—as serious Christ-followers—take away from this movie?
A: One of the things Perseus struggled with was knowing the will of the gods, and what they wanted of him (or expected of him). When it comes to Christianity, we don’t have to wonder who God is, or what He thinks is most important for us. In Deuteronomy 6:4-9, the Bible declares the crux of life:

4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.[a] 5 Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6 These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 8 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 9 Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.

In short, we don’t have to be confused. We know who God is and we know what He expects of us. Now it’s up to us as to whether or not we actually do it.

Q: How can we move from healthy, Bible-based opinions about this movie to actually living out those opinions?

A: Loving God is the best way (and only way) to live. Loving God is usually pretty easy; He’s perfect! So, as we order our lives, we need to do so according to Deuteronomy 6.

• Our lives must show that a loving God exists.


• Our lives must show that we love this same God.


• Our lives must show that this same God wants to be known by others (through us).