There has been some really negative press out there about Immortals but after having watched it all I can say is I’m not sure what the people are on who are writing it. Yes, Immortals is violent but doesn’t it deserve to have things such as acting and storyline taken into consideration when it is being judged as a film? Immortals certainly isn’t one of the greatest films of the year, but it is an action film that will keep you occupied for the two hours that it runs.
Thesus (Henry Cavill – Whatever Works, TV’S The Tudors) is a man that is shunned by his village, in fact he is commonly referred to as ‘the son of the whore’ and when King Hyperion’s (Mickey Rourke – Black Gold, Passion Play) begin to advance on their small village they are told they are not welcome to travel with the other villagers. Instead Thesus fights back using the skills taught to him by an old man (John Hurt – Tinker Taylor Solider Spy, Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows Part 2) who just happens to be Zeus (Luke Evans – The Three Musketeers, Blitz) in earthly form. In a bid to protect his country from King Hyperion Thesus joins a small band of ‘misfits’ which also features ‘the thief’, Stavros (Stephen Dorff – Brake, Bucky Larson: Born To Be A Star) and the Virgin Oracle, Phaedra (Freida Pinto – Black Gold, Trishna). They then try to find a magical bow before it falls into Hyperion’s hands.
Immortals is almost like the storytelling of old (think Ben Hur etc), it doesn’t muck around, it gets in gets the story told, throws in a few battle scenes and just goes on its way… and you know what it works. While there isn’t much character background given I’ll dare anyone to say that they didn’t find themselves liking Thesus, Phaedra and Stavros and wanting to see them succeed. Likewise you dislike King Hyperion and want to see him fail.
Director, Tarsem Singh (The Fall, The Cell) also does an amazing job in the director’s suite. Remember how visionary he was when he created the look that went with The Cell, well he brings all that along with him with Immortals. This is one film where the 3D actually enhances it’s epic looks and Singh makes sure the film’s battle scenes are a hell of a lot better than what we see in Clash Of The Titans, and he needs to be congratulated for not going down the stop-animation road. At the end of the day and to be blunt Immortals does actually look pretty good on the big screen.
Known mainly for his television work, Henry Cavill really steps up with Immortals and he is well supported by Freida Pinto who really announces herself on the world stage with a role that not only uses her sexuality but demands some dramatic acting from her as well… she’s okay and will only get better in time. Although, the standout here is Mickey Rourke who seems to relish in the role of the bad guy. He delivers each line with menace and such is his character that you really don’t know what he will do next.
If you love action then you’re going to love Immortals. Some moments are a little cringe worthy but for the most part this is a good action film that at times will have you on the edge of your seat.
Year: 2011
Director: Tarsem Singh
Stars: Henry Cavill, Mickey Rourke, Stephen Dorff, Freida Pinto, Luke Evans, John Hurt
Classification: MA15+
Runtime: 111 mins
Rating: 
Out on DVD/Blu-Ray 22nd March 2012