At The Movies

Immortals (PG) * * *


Take No Prisoners!

By ROBERT WALDMAN


Ancient times create the perfect havoc for warring factions in Immortals, a sizzler from Alliance Films now holding court at Empire Studio 12, Colossus and Cineplex Odeon Theatres across B.C.
Gods and mere mortals collide in Immortals, a rambunctious offering from Alliance Films that works on a variety of levels. Sure to prove popular with those into mega fantasies like 300 and Clash of the Titans, Immortals charts a brutal course of a “plain” man battling a ruthless leader out to control the world. Steeped in mythology and tradition it’s the Gods that are looking down on Earth as a relentless madman sets his sights on conquest of the lands.
By all accounts King Hyperion is as ruthless as they come. Oscar winning heavyweight Mickey Rourke (Iron Man 2) gets lots of screen time which he uses to full advantage as he slices and dices his way through the lands in a quest for immortality. Number one objective is for him to secure a magical bow that wields unbelievable powers. Out to stop him are some ordinary citizens led by the most unlikely of heroes.
Not quite ready for prime time warrior to be is Theseus, a man with his own grudge to settle against King Hyperion. Relative unknown actor Henry Cavill (the Count of Monte Cristo) may well be headed to stardom as the mild-mannered peasant/slave who rises to the occasion to lead the revolt against Hyperion and his mammoth army.
High up above, overseeing the impending bloodletting, are a series of Gods who also have a stake in the outcome of this fight for survival. Snazzy special effects, mild 3-D elements, and a sense of desperation all work well in this campy tale that fans of this genre will warmly embrace. Director Tarsem Singh (The Cell) takes us back in time to the ancient world and succeeds in building a strong rivalry with good against evil and creates great tension and epic battle scenes worthy of your consideration. Strong support from the likes of Stephen Dorff (Public Enemies) as a comrade in arms to Theseus and Freida Pinto (Rise of the Planet of the Apes) as a virgin with the ability to foresee the future help make this epic journey a lot of fun.
Veteran scribe John Hurt also lends a hand as a mentor or sorts with lots of historical baggage in his resume. Bottom line on Immortals is that its fantasy with lame 3-D elements but engaging battle scenes and rivalry that makes this movie rock!

I will go see this movie when it hits the $2 theaters in Seattle .