The Film Engineer

Before I start this review, I feel that I need to set your expectations. The Odyssey is directed by my favourite director i.e. Sir Christopher Nolan. Basically what I am saying, is that I am generally pre-disposed to loving his films. However, that also comes with a high expectations for his work. However, I have yet to be disappointed. Yes I even really like Tenet, it’s not perfect, but the ideas in it are amazing.

Anyway this is not a review for Tenet.

The Odyssey – What do I think of it. I feel that I need to point out 2 important points that I felt coming out after seeing this film.

Firstly, I came away from it feeling a bit assaulted, but in a good way. The film was just so much. It really is a 5 plus films in one kind of film and you can definitely see that his previous works have brought Nolan to this, even Oppenheimer in that this is story of a tortured man.

Secondly, this film is as Epic as you are going to get in today’s world of overly used CGI. This film does use CGI of that I am sure, but you can tell Nolan wants to get as much as he can get in camera, with as many practical effects as possible. Now I am not spoiling anything as it’s in the trailer and in a story over 3000 years old 😉 but the way he did the Polyphemus (The Cyclops) was just amazing. It reminds me of growing up watching films by Ray HarryHeusen and yet I also felt some massive influences such as Ben Hur and Gladiator.

Onto the cast. If you thought the cast in Oppenheimer was big, The Odyssey just states hold my beer. I will therefore just go over the standouts for me. Starting with Elliot Page, they had a small role but definitely stood out in what was a important part of the plot. Samantha Morton was as you would expect amazing and will make you think very careful before accepting food from strangers, possibly an Oscar nomination coming her way.

Onto the big hitters. Tom Holland really stepped up here. He was starting to get a name for his films outside of Spiderman/Marvel not being very good e.g. Chaos Walking. This has put him back on the right path. Plus other great performances from Himesh Patel, John Leguizamo and a particularly slimy Robert Pattinson. Anne Hathaway is again excellent. However, much like all of Nolans works this Lives or Dies by its lead.

Matt Damon (I can’t say his name without thinking of Team America) really led this film with aplomb. There is definitely a bit of the physicality of Bourne in his portrayal. However also as I mentioned above this is story of a man who is questioning himself. Hence why I felt Damon took a lot from watching Cillian Murphy and his portrayal of Oppenheimer. This is a performance is one that may well define his career along with his Bourne films.

I don’t need to say too much about the Musical Score. It’s by Ludwig Goransson, the already three time Oscar winner and also the current champion. He scores like a mix of John Williams and Hans Zimmer and the guy is still only 41. He does not let us down here either the score raises us when it needs too and helps  with the more emotional parts when required. He may well go back to back and get another Oscar for his work here. I would take any bet that he will at least be nominated. Though that is a fairly easy bet to make with him.

The Visuals – Nolan is again working with his go to Cinematographer Hoyte Van Hoytema. They have been working together since Interstellar and you can tell why. He has again helped Nolan bring the amazing visuals of IMAX to the screen. Although some might say the lighting here could have been better. Personally I did not have an issue with it. There are some shots that are breathtaking and much like Goransson, I will be surprised if his work here is not nominated for the top awards.

I think you can take from what I have written above that I loved the film. Just remember this is pretty much a 3 hour film, so go to the loo before you go in ;). This is high recommendation from me. However, more than any other of Nolan’s films I feel that repeat viewings will only help to cement how good of a film this is. Dare you Defy the Gods and not go and see this Epic Movie?