Geek Girl Features

With its predecessor, the 2010 “Clash of the Titans” topping $160 million from its U.S. box office, “Wrath of the Titans” is looking to capitalize on the still popular Greek myth genre.

The film follows the widowed Perseus, the demi-god son of Zeus as he raises his son in a world where the gods rule is waning. When Zeus comes to him for assistance, he must once again arm himself for a battle much bigger than himself.

Hades and Ares are at the root of the problem, as they are attempting to release the monsters of Tartarus on the world, including Kronos, father of Zeus, Poseidon and Hades. Perseus recruits the help of another demi-god, Agenor, Queen Andromeda, who he rescued from the Kracken in “Clash”, and Hephaestus, the fallen god of blacksmiths.

After the walls of Tartarus have fallen and the Makhai have been set on the army facing them, Perseus creates the Spear of Triam.  Created by combining Zeus thunderbolt, Poseidon’s trident and Hades’ pitchfork, the weapon needed to defeat Kronos and save the world.

The movie does not introduce many new characters. It brings Zeus and Hades once again to the forefront, and Hephaestus and Ares have surfaced from the Halls of the Olympians for their time in the light.

While taking its characters from mythology, it in no way follows it, instead interspersing myths such as the Labyrinth and the Minotaur as the challenge faced to enter Tartarus.

The Cyclopes played a minor part, and even their mythology was twisted, but they were associated with masonry in myth and guarded Hephaestus in the film.

“Wrath” was filmed in 2D and converted later to 3D. Unlike “Clash” this was intended, and so less messy in its conversion, having been filmed with 3D in mind. “Clash of the Titans” was a last minute conversion with only weeks to go to release, and was not originally intended for 3D.

The movie stars Sam Worthington back as Perseus, Liam Neeson as Zeus and Ralph Fiennes as Hades. Bill Nighy has decided to jump aboard another franchise, with the “Harry Potter” and Davy Jones’ “Pirates of the Caribbean” roles finished.

Rosamund Pike took over the role of Andromeda from Alexa Davalos, and Edgar Ramirez plays Ares in place of Tamer Hassan. Toby Kebbell is introduced as Agenor, the demi-god son on Poseidon, and John Bell plays Helius, the son of Perseus and Io.

The film would have been better suited for a summer release. Its opening weekend grossed only approximately $34 million, compared to the approximate $62 million “Clash of the Titans” made it’s April opening weekend.

The simple plot and massive effects would have potentially done better then, rather than being released only a week post- “Hunger Games”.