The Odyssey is a masterpiece of filmmaking, and one of the reasons why Christopher Nolan continues to be one of the most ambitious filmmakers in existence.
It goes without saying that it wasn’t easy to adapt one of the oldest and most influential stories in human history.
Homer’s epic tale has been retold countless times over the years, but Nolan takes this classic story and makes it his own, while still keeping the essence of the original story.
Instead of retelling the old story, he creates an experience based on spectacle, emotion and philosophical depth and produces a film among the best in his incredible filmography.
The first thing that comes to mind is the scope of the production. Each shot is carefully crafted, with amazing practical effects, gorgeous cinematography and a never-wavering dedication to realism.
Once again, Nolan has shown that there are many scenes in cinema that he can pull off that other film-makers cannot.
Each scene, be it a stormy sea or a mythical creature or a close discussion, seems to have a clear purpose and engages the viewer.
Read more: ‘I Play Rocky’ trailer packs an emotional punch ahead of release
There is no frivolous display of cinematography in the film; each powerful shot is meant to reflect Odysseus’s emotional story arc.
The script is well done, too. Nolan is faithful to the spirit of Homer’s epic, but transforms it into a modern experience without losing the mythological scale.
Themes of perseverance, family, identity, sacrifice and burden of leadership are explored magnificently.
The film’s question, “What does it mean to return home after being forever changed by war and loss?” makes Odysseus’ voyage feel extremely human in its mythic context.
The cast is top-notch.
These are all legendary figures made well-grounded and believable by every major performer.
The ensemble is very conscious of the significance of the material; their performances are emotionally charged and at the same time larger than life as suited for Greek mythology.
One of the highlights is the role of Odysseus’s son, played by Tom Holland, who has shown that his acting has really matured.
His acting shows a new maturity and confidence; his acting is subtle in dramatic scenes, and there’s a sincerity that cannot be denied in his character.
Holland manages to remain very restrained throughout the film, and he has shown that he is now an actor who’s able to take on loaded, charged material.
Despite having a very restrained presence in the film, Zendaya, who portrays the Goddess of wisdom Athena, also makes a mark.
When she shows up on the screen, she’s a source of grace, emotional range and still power.
This review doesn’t delve into spoiler territory; however, it’s important to note that one of the most poignant moments of the film was acted by Zendaya almost at the end of the film.
It’s one of those scenes that’s more performance than spectacle, and Zendaya’s performance is one of the most memorable that Nolan has ever directed.
The less the audience knows about it, the more impactful it will be.
As always, Christopher Nolan’s direction is superb. He knows how to pace, tell stories visually and with practical filmmaking.
He manages to strike a balance between personal moments and superb set pieces.
More impressively, he manages to make an ancient myth seem immediate and emotionally resonant.
In doing so, Nolan doesn’t take Greek mythology out of the realm of fantasy, but makes it one that’s rooted in the human experience, which enables viewers to empathise with the heroes of the story that has lasted nearly 3,000 years.
The Odyssey is one of the finest accomplishments of the year in terms of visuals. The cinematography is stunning with both beauty and the brutality of the ancient world.
Explore vast and expansive oceans, kingdoms rising high above the landscapes, and mythical worlds that come to life with an authenticity that feels real rather than a by-product of digital creation.
The only thing that is a bit below Nolan’s ridiculously high standards is the music score.
The soundtracks do well to accompany the emotions and action, but never quite live up to the iconic scores of movies such as Interstellar, Inception, The Dark Knight, or Oppenheimer.
While the music in the film is quite good, it’s not the kind of thing that will instantly stick with you.
It might be the least distinctive thing among all the great things.
Nevertheless, this minor criticism doesn’t take away from the overall experience. Almost everything else in the film is of extremely high quality.
Writing, performances, production design, visual effects, editing and direction all conspire to make it a movie to be viewed on the largest screen available.
Yet again Nolan proves that blockbuster filmmaking can be intellectually stimulating, emotionally rewarding and visually stunning.
The Odyssey isn’t that much of a retelling of Homer’s masterpiece; it’s a reminder of the power of film, to make ancient tales modern and amazing.
Christopher Nolan is a bold and ambitious director with a flair for taking the source material and making it his own, and his take on Odyssey is no different.
The Odyssey is one of the best films of the year, boasting a stellar ensemble cast, career-best performances from many, an extraordinary evolution of Tom Holland and a quietly harrowing finale from Zendaya.
The music doesn’t come up to the “legendary” standard that Nolan has set in his past collaborations, but everything else is at an extraordinary level.
Also read: First Digger trailer starring Tom Cruise leaves fans excited
