The Odyssey

A visually spectacular retelling of an ancient story, even if it takes many liberties from the original. Despite its considerable length, the film never feels like it slows too much, always maintaining a driving force and many thematic elements to reflect on. Indeed the divine struggle at the heart of the film was its most compelling element for me. It explores the conflict within the human mind: the struggle to understand oneself, reconcile competing impulses and find a sense of purpose. Incredible cinematography and fantastic performances by Matt Damon and the other warriors. My biggest criticism would be that some of the other actors gave performances that were not particularly standout, and the prevalence of thick American accents also occasionally cuts through the ancient, mythological atmosphere and makes the world feel less immersive than it otherwise might.