The Odyssey (2026) - 8/10

I’ve read The Odyssey, probably at least 10 years ago. That’s not really important. Whether this film is 100% faithful to the text is largely redundant, who cares, this isn’t a story of historical fact, it’s… a story, full of fantasy and a smack you in the face moral message. Now this might seem shocking for a self confessed film fan, but this is my first time in an IMAX screen. This isn’t important for the review either, but it seems worth noting that this was the film that got me to splash the extra cash to watch the 70mm projection. Honestly, at first I wasn’t taken aback as much as I expected, although I could instantly see the issue with being on the front row and was very thankful to be bang centre at the back. The sound is pretty spectacular in Manchester’s Printworks, but I’m just not keen on the ratio. It does look stunning. Every frame is beautiful, but in Nolan style, a lot is confusingly dark and all that extra height in the frame seemed needless for most of the 3 hour duration. About that. 3 hours is a long time, but I’ll be honest, it flew by. It does take its time to find its feet. Despite monsters, spectacular storms wrecking ships and some gnarly body horror, largely because it relies a lot on the fantasy, myth and action, which sometimes feel a bit like a box ticking exercise, cyclops check, sirens check, but a few pivotal scenes of dialogue hold it together. I know that sounds reductive, but honestly there’s not much here that’s groundbreaking. It’s just really good solid cinema, based on a classic plot that you can’t really go wrong with. I liked it, but didn’t love it. Despite my surroundings, I didn’t feel immersed. Not that there was anything that yanked me out of the screen, not even a couple of bits of clunky dialogue or my sympathetic pangs toward Odysseus’s dog. For me it’s just not that film, you watch it very much the passenger kept slightly at arms length. It’s a simple visual feast. Substance yes, but the emphasis on style. The story of a hero warrior king, getting stuck on his way home from battle, brought to life expertly alongside the subplot drama that he’s left behind for his family at home. The cast are largely flawless though. John Leguizamo is unrecognisable, but great, as is Himesh Patel, although much more recognisable (and he suits his beard unlike Damon). Mia Goth, Charlize Theron and Elliot Page all feel a bit underused and of the two leads, Anne Hathaway somehow manages to feel more substantial than Matt Damon, who although feels out of his depth as the sword wielding Greek warrior, even though he’s clearly done the work to get in impressive shape, does grow into the role as his quest concludes. The more dialogue he’s given, the better his performance is. I’ve heard people have taken issue with Helen of Troy being black, which is clearly just racism. Lupita Nyong’o’s role is another bit part really, but like Zendaya as Athena, her presence still packs a punch. The scene stealers though are Robert Pattinson as the sniveling Antinous, who just has that look you can’t wait to be wiped off his face. It’s the mouth I think and perhaps that twitch he does. Whatever it is, he vile predatory nature pours from the screen. He’d be my highlight, if it weren’t for Samantha Morton, who once again only gets a few minutes on screen as Circe, but pulls all the focus. It’s a masterclass performance, understated but laced with a subtle power. All in all, it’s pretty magnificent cinema, but not as stunning as I’d hoped. The weight of expectation can be a killer and it certainly is here. Still, I can’t imagine anyone but Nolan making this work as well as it does. It’s a blockbuster movie, it’s beautiful, highly entertaining… but the book is better.

8/10