Titans Clash in Style

Read Time:5 Minute, 28 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
When Titans Ruled The Earth: Clash Of The Titans & Wrath Of The Titans [Limited Edition 4k]
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Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy
Year Released: 2010 / 2012, 2024 Arrow Video 4K
Runtime: 3h 25m
Director(s): Louis Leterrier / Jonathan Liebesman
Writer(s): Travis Beacham, Phil Hay, Matt Manfredi, Beverley Cross / Dan Mazeau, David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick, Greg Berlanti
Cast: Sam Worthington, Gemma Arterton, Mads Mikkelsen, Alexa Davalos, Jason Flemyng, Ralph Fiennes, Liam Neeson / Rosamund Pike, Bill Nighy, Edgar Ramírez, Toby Kebbell
Where To Watch: available August 13, 2024; pre-order here www.arrowvideo.com, www.mvdshop.com, or www.amazon.com

RAVING REVIEW: Arrow Video's 4K release of WHEN TITANS RULED THE EARTH invites us back to the over-the-top, myth-laden landscapes of the 1980s with modern retellings in CLASH OF THE TITANS and WRATH OF THE TITANS. Striving to match the original films' epic scale, these remakes fuse the nostalgia of timeless tales with the flair of current cinematic technology, delivering a visually appealing yet familiar journey.

CLASH OF THE TITANS revives the saga of Perseus, now portrayed by Sam Worthington, a demigod wrestling with his divine heritage amid a celestial war. Found adrift by the fisherman Spyros (Pete Postlethwaite), Perseus grows under his care until a tragic turn of events, orchestrated by the evil Hades (Ralph Fiennes), thrusts him into a hero's path. Tasked with saving Andromeda (Alexa Davalos) and defeating the Kraken, his odyssey brings him face-to-face with creatures like Medusa and other legendary beasts.

Despite a cast that commands the screen and sequences brimming with action, CLASH OF THE TITANS succumbs to the modern blockbuster's penchant for lavish CGI at the expense of a deeper woven plot. The swift narrative pace glosses over more profound story possibilities, leaving significant relationships between Perseus and his guide Io (Gemma Arterton) feeling slightly underwhelming. Director Louis Leterrier leans into the spectacle, crafting visually striking battle scenes that, while technically impressive, often retread well-worn paths without adding new narrative depth. Ramin Djawadi's atmospheric score accompanies the action but only somewhat elevates the film beyond the typical genre offerings.

Shifting to WRATH OF THE TITANS, the story picks up a decade later, with Perseus trying to lead a tranquil life as a fisherman, a peace shattered by celestial betrayal and family legacies. The film delves into the crumbling barriers of Tartarus and the looming threat of Titans like Kronos, setting the stage for another grand melee. Yet, the sequel stumbles over hurdles like its predecessor, prioritizing action sequences over character development and cohesive storytelling. The narrative, centered on the quest for the Spear of Trium, often feels more like an excuse to string together a series of action set pieces rather than a fully realized plot.

To be entirely fair, the original films did this as well, in a less over-the-top way. However, these films and their counterparts come off as more of a gimmick than a genuine drama. Although some moments hint at a deeper exploration of themes, such as the decline of divine power and humanity’s evolving beliefs, these are not adequately explored, leaving the film’s resolution predictable and unsatisfying.

Compared to the original films of the 1980s, these remakes replace practical magic and inherent charm with glossy digital effects, which may meet the visual expectations of contemporary audiences. Will these be looked back on as cult classics in the same way the originals are? Only time will tell, although Arrow Video thinks so, giving these films a stunning treatment and all sorts of amazing goodies (listed below).

Overall, the films of WHEN TITANS RULED THE EARTH offer a spectacle-rich experience that may satisfy those searching for visual thrills. However, viewers desiring a more profound engagement with these ancient legends might find the offerings a tad shallow, providing only a glimpse of what might have been a richer cinematic revival of these epic tales.

Bonus Materials:
2-DISC 4K ULTRA HD BLU-RAY LIMITED EDITION CONTENTS
4K Ultra HD (2160p) Blu-ray presentations in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible) of both films
Original 5.1 DTS-HD MA surround audio
Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
Illustrated collector’s book containing new writing by author and critic Guy Adams and film scholar Josh Nelson
Double-sided fold-out posters for each film featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Joe Wilson
Six postcard-sized cards
Reversible sleeves featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Joe Wilson

DISC 1 – CLASH OF THE TITANS
Scaling Mount Olympus, a brand new interview with producer Basil Iwanyk
Sam Worthington is Perseus
Zeus: Father of Gods and Men
Enter the World of Hades
Calibos: The Man Behind the Monster
Tenerife: A Continent on an Island
Scorpioch
Actors and Their Stunts
Wales: A Beautiful Scarred Landscape
Bringing Medusa to Life
Prepare for the Kraken!
Sam Worthington: An Action Hero for the Ages featurette
Alternate ending
Deleted scenes
Theatrical trailer
Image Gallery

DISC 2 – WRATH OF THE TITANS
Unleashing the Beasts, a brand new interview with producer Basil Iwanyk
Who Are the Titans?
Hephaestus: God of Fire
Lost in Tartarus’ Labyrinth
Creatures of the Titans
Path of Men (behind the scenes)
Battling the Chimera
Agenor: The Other Demi-God
The Cyclops Fight
Prison of the Titans
Minotaur: The Human Nightmare
The Heavens Raise Hell on Earth
Deleted scenes
Theatrical trailer
Image Gallery

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[photo courtesy of ARROW VIDEO, MVD ENTERTAINMENT]

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