I should have known better...
I had been eagerly anticipating the release of the new version of
Clash of the Titans, so much so that I had built up this image of some great theatrical spectacle that would blow all others away. On entering the theater, I was giddy with excitement. As the movie wore on, my excitement faded, and I began asking "why this?" and "why that?" in my mind. The 3D was awful; I felt like I was in the dark, during many action sequences, squinting to see. At it's conclusion, I was filled with immense disappointment, and angered by this Hollywood distortion of an incredible story. The 1981 version had less distortion of the story, and had better acting and costumes.
Here are some things that I found perplexing: Why was it necessary to kill Perseus's mother in the beginning? Her predicament was the reason Perseus set out on his adventure. Why would Hades begin a spree like that of a serial killer? The three brothers, Poseidon, Zeus, and Hades, decided amongst themselves who would rule what--there was no trickery involved. Why was the Kracken (sea monster) a "child" of Hades? It came from the sea, so should it not have been Poseidon's "child?" It was Andromeda's parents who angered Poseidon, so the Gods sent the sea monster to destroy their city. Why was it necessary to add the "cougar-like" character Io? It was Athena who coached Perseus on where to find the necessary equipment to defeat Medusa. Why were additional new characters added--the black magic beings in the desert? They look like something stolen from Star Wars (Tusken Raiders, perhaps). Why was a task from the myth of Psyche and Eros stolen and used in this film? What am I talking about you ask? Perseus never bribed the ferryman, Charon, to get to the underworld. Psyche bribed Charon to complete an impossible task given to her by Aphrodite. Does Hollywood think no one reads anymore or that no one will notice the stealing of part of a story from another myth? (This really angers me) Why the team of men to defeat Medusa? It would have been much more interesting to see Perseus using the winged sandals, mirrored shield, sword, and helmet of invisibility that were given to him. If Hollywood wanted to add-lib, why not add in Medusa's sisters after her decapitation? Pegasus was born of the blood of Medusa and Poseidon. The winged sandals made Perseus's get-away easy, not Pegasus. Why the color change for Pegasus? Why was Zeus wrapped in a glowing tin foil looking war suit? Andromeda became Perseus's mate, not the "cougar" Io. Why was it necessary to change that? Why, why, why?
There are many other distortions of this story that irk me; I will just stop here. I should have known better... to expect more of Hollywood was foolish of me.
