STORYLINE: After the Trojan War, Odysseus faces a dangerous voyage back to Ithaca, meeting creatures like the Cyclops Polyphemus, Sirens, and Calypso along the way.  (IMDb)

    Interstellar (2014) launched the epic film format into outer space.  In 1962, tppk the film epic west in How the West was Won.  The English Patient (1996) took epics to awards success.   Epics fell in love with cinema with the release of Out of Africa (1985).  Christopher Nolan has released his latest epic feature, a sprawling adaptation of The Odyssey.

    Much like Romeo & Juliet and To Kill A Mockingbird, The Odyssey seems to be required reading, at some point, in high school English. I read it freshmen year, when I was a younger, and yet still adorable, film loving version of myself.  Going into the movie I did nor remember as much of the source material as other material, I read in high school.  That has, and will will never stop me from seeing a movie, nor should it.

   In the tradition of Christopher Nolan films, The Odyssey is stacked with an all star cast. Matt Damon, Anne Hathaway, Robert Paterson, John Leguizamo, Zendaya, and as Helen of Troy Lupita Nyong’o are all featured in the cast. 

    The movie is a three hour visual feast. As a film goer would find in any epic, The Odyssey, is filled with elaborate, historical set pieces.  The movie also features a variety costumes throughout, from the time period.  These costumes range from soldier, costumes, royalty, and what peasants of the time dress.

   I was excited to see this motion picture, because it is the kind of epic I like watching. In the end I was surprised that how I enjoyed it. Yes, I enjoyed it for being that kind of epic, that I enjoy. It also had a structure different from a normal historical epic.  The film is told in flash back, with flash some flash forward sequences, before breaking from this pattern for the climax,  I liked the non traditional structure of the movie.

    In 2024 Ralph Fiennes start with Juliette Binoche, in another unique adaptation of The Odyssey titled The Return. This film adaptation is The Odyssey from Penelope’s, wife of Odysseus, point of view.  I enjoyed that as well, because it is a different take on the story.

    The Odyssey had all the mechanics of a traditional epic, that I enjoy, mixed with a unique storytelling element making for a a unique movie going experience.

     Until next time, I will see you at the movies!