After the Trojan War, Odysseus faces a dangerous voyage back to Ithaca, meeting creatures like the Cyclops Polyphemus, Sirens, and Calypso along the way.
The Odyssey is the latest film in director Christopher Nolan’s filmography and might be his most ambitious. The reason is his approach to a new technology when it comes to filming with IMAX cameras. He has accomplished this in the past with The Dark Knight, The Dark Knight Rises, Interstellar, Dunkirk, Tenet, Oppenheimer, and now The Odyssey. The difference is that this entire film was shot with 70mm IMAX cameras. In those previous films, only certain segments utilized the technology. So this is literally the first time in Hollywood that a blockbuster of this scale has been filmed entirely in this format. Considering that only up to three minutes of footage can be recorded before the film has to be changed, and that the majority of the dialogue had to be recorded after filming because of the loud volume of the cameras, it speaks volumes about how committed and passionate Christopher Nolan is about all of his projects, especially this one in particular. The difficulty of pulling this off successfully cannot be measured, only applauded.
So the real question is whether or not all of the technical aspects make this film a success, and the answer is an astounding yes. Christopher Nolan does it again with a breathtaking behemoth of a film production. From a technical standpoint, the imagery and cinematography are top notch. Even though I was unable to see this film in its actual 70mm IMAX ratio, I was still overwhelmed in a positive sense by the sheer scale of the film. That alone is an amazing achievement. Some of the scenes with the Cyclops, along with the action sequences featuring characters fighting giants on land and in the water, will make you ask yourself while watching, “How did this man do this?” Even though you know it is fantasy, it is still incredibly convincing. Everything surrounding the characters looks so practical, as if every shot was filmed on location. Even if green screen or blue screen was used for the backgrounds, it was hidden exceptionally well. The sound was a colossal achievement as well. Ludwig Göransson returns as the composer after his previous work with Nolan, and he does not disappoint. Nolan wanted the score to avoid sounding like a typical orchestra, so Ludwig conducted extensive research with historians to create something truly distinct. Not only was the score a character in itself, but it is safe to say it moved the film from point A to point B and may have even served as the film’s main antagonist.
How many Oscar nominations will this cast receive? That remains to be seen, but if the number is not substantial, it would be a crime against cinema. Matt Damon, Tom Holland, and Anne Hathaway each delivered some of the greatest performances of their careers. Hathaway especially shines with her portrayal of a woman desperate to see her lost husband again. Her level of commitment and loyalty was both heartbreaking and admirable. At times, she appeared physically ill because of the absence of her great king, and delivering a performance like that deserves praise from every angle. Each character had personal struggles they had to deal with over the years while seeking justice and trying to focus on the greater good. That meant doing what was best for the people, their country, their lineage, their family, and the next generation.
The story was a respectable one. The main focus was on the decisions that haunted Odysseus, played by Matt Damon, during his journey back home and all of the loss and pain connected to it. Being responsible for hundreds, if not thousands, of men after already winning a war is unsettling. Only to possibly make it back home to a place you may not even be able to call home anymore. What would be the point of it all? To win in a foreign land, only to lose what is most familiar to you. This is a recipe for a long period of depression that our main character, Odysseus, had to endure. His journey was noble, tiring, and invigorating for most of the film.
Many are calling this film a masterpiece and Nolan’s best film yet. I disagree entirely. The film is great and deserves all of the recognition it is receiving, but this is not his best work by far. Nolan’s films are always extensive in length, and that has never been an issue. However, this time I genuinely felt the two hour and fifty two minute runtime. The setup of the story and characters is always a thrill, and the third act is heart pounding, leaving you on the edge of your seat. However, the middle, or second act, was a mixed bag of epic moments and boredom. This film is based on a poem, and adapting it into a film was always going to be a difficult task. As Odysseus attempts to make it home, there are a number of side quests he must endure. Some were executed with incredible precision, while others simply were not. There are moments in the film that become so poetic that I found myself confused, not knowing what was reality, fantasy, or hallucination. In particular, none of those moments translated well when it came to the character Calypso, played by Charlize Theron. The ending of this journey was somewhat fulfilling, but getting there was occasionally a tough ride that was not always enjoyable.
In all my years of watching Christopher Nolan’s films, they have been wonderful, epic rides from beginning to end, but I cannot say the same this time around. While the majority of this film is still an extraordinary achievement in filmmaking, this is not the revered director’s best day at the office. However, that is not necessarily a bad thing. I mention it only to temper expectations so that you, the reader, can enjoy the film for what it is rather than what others are telling you it should be. Even though this is not my favorite Nolan film, I cannot wait to see it again and eventually add it to my personal 4K Blu-ray IMAX collection when it becomes available.
Video Review:
Official Trailer:
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