DVD Reviews

Immortals – DVD Review

By Jeff Swindoll Mar 14, 2012, 12:52 GMT

Immortals explodes off the screen with action-packed battles, mythological adventure and an all-star cast. In this epic tale of vengeance and destiny, power-mad King Hyperion (Mickey Rourke) threatens to destroy all of humanity on his maniacal quest to obtain the ultimate weapon – the legendary Epirus Bow that gives the power to unleash war on both Heaven and Earth. But Theseus (Henry Cavill), a heroic young villager chosen by the ...more

Tarsem Singh certainly has a sense of style and he brings it to this retelling of Greek myth.  The results are striking and features some great performances and smashing special effects. 

Zeus (Luke Evans) and the other gods defeated and vanquished a race called Titans under Mount Tartarus.  During the conflict a powerful weapon called the Epirus Bow was lost, a weapon that would free the Titans from their imprisonment.  Now King Hyperion (Mickey Rourke) seeks the bow to do just that and bring the reign of the gods to an end since they failed to save his family when he prayed for their deliverance. 

He is seeking the virgin oracle Phaedra (Frieda Pinto) so that she can reveal the location of the bow.  Theseus (Henry Cavill) is an outcast in his village since he is a bastard (meaning his father is unknown not that he’s a nasty character).  His mother (Anne Day-Jones) has faith in the gods, but Theseus has more faith in the skills that his mentor (John Hurt) has taught him. 

When Hyperion attacks Theseus’ village and kills his mother, he swears revenge.   A captured Theseus is taken to a well on the way to the salt mines, but he escapes with Phaedra and the thief Stavros (Stephen Dorff) and sets off to get to the bow as a means to defeat Hyperion and get his revenge. 

Tarsem Singh described his approach to Greek gods as something akin to renaissance painter Caravaggio meets Fight Club.  He certainly infuses the film with his style and flair and portrays many battles that feature fantastic special effects.  He doesn’t slack on the acting front. 

Mickey Rourke adds some depth to Hyperion.  He doesn’t want to take over the world but is more seeking revenge for his lost family, though he does it though violent and hypocritical means.   Instead of going over the top, his Hyperion has quite moments of snarling, growling dialogue.  It’s a nice turn by Rourke. 

Cavill is also compelling as our hero as well as Evans as Zeus.  Of course, everyone is chiseled (the personal trainer budget must’ve been as big as the effects one) and the young women fetching.  It’s a lot of style but there’s also some substance there.  A visual feast that also gets you involved with its characters and storyline. 

Immortals is presented in widescreen (1.85:1) and is enhanced for 16x9 televisions.  Special features include the 5 minute “It’s no Myth” with professors pointing out the mythology, 7 minutes of deleted scenes, and the 2 minute theatrical trailer. 

Immortals is high on both style and adds some substance into the mix that buoyed by some fantastic production design and special effects.  Your mileage may vary, but I found the film quite the compelling and fun ride. 

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