In the shadow of Disclosure Day‘s lukewarm rollout, Christopher Nolan is more like the modern-day Steven Spielberg than ever before. Every movie he releases feels like a major, must-see event, and it doesn’t matter what the topic is, he somehow manages to produce blockbuster after blockbuster hit. The Odyssey is his most ambitious effort yet, adapting Homer’s epic poem for the big screen with a multicultural cast that has sparked endless amounts of debate and hatred before anyone had seen a single frame. For those who are up for this massive journey, they’ll find Nolan at the top of his game, utilizing new IMAX technology and a star-studded ensemble to produce the best version of this incredible tale ever put to screen.
You don’t have to be a lover of Greek mythology to know the story of Odysseus, the Ithacan king and tragic hero of the Trojan War. Played by Matt Damon in what may be the defining role of his career, Odysseus is the brilliant figure who conceived the Trojan Horse plot that ultimately led to Troy’s downfall. After years of fighting, he sets sail on the long trek home, but manages to offend the gods in multiple ways, finding that their wrath is going to make that journey nearly impossible.
Nolan’s unique vision offers some of the most incredible cinematic sequences of his career. His version of the monstrous cyclops, for instance, is unlike anything I’ve ever seen, looking more like a man (played by Bill Irwin) than a creature of myth. That scene, which finds Odysseus and his starving men trapped in a cave with it, is also shockingly tense, as all hope of escape seems lost as the darkness creeps in.
Perhaps the biggest change Nolan brings to The Odyssey is the contemporary dialogue, as well as a modern perspective. Odysseus’ encounter with the witch Circe, played by Samantha Morton in a performance so good she might earn an Oscar nomination, is both a horrific body horror and a commentary on toxic masculinity and female violence.
We also see a slightly different take on Odysseus’ grieving wife, Penelope, played by Anne Hathaway. Known for her legendary fidelity to her husband while being pursued by dozens of greedy suitors, she is also a pillar of strength, a fierce protector of her son, Telemachus, played by Tom Holland, and cognizant of the male-dominated forces that prevent her from protecting the kingdom as Odysseus would. Robert Pattinson plays the most craven of the suitors, Antinous, who, along with Corey Hawkins’ Polybus, brutally defy Zeus’ Law in an attempt to goad Telemachus into a fight he can’t win.
Despite the nearly three-hour runtime, The Odyssey never feels overly long, and the pacing moves along well. Even when things slow down, such as when we find the older Odysseus lounging in amnesiac paradise with Charlize Theron’s immortal nymph Calypso, the film remains compelling. This is largely due to Damon, whose Odysseus is such a complex character who defies easy description. We see many different facets to him; the loving husband, the battlefield soldier, the leader of men, the cunning strategist, the haunted warrior. He’s not perfect, as the savagery of the fall of Troy shows, but he learns from his experiences, shows regret for the mistakes he’s made, and when the time comes, we want to see him get home to his family.
The first film ever shot entirely in IMAX, The Odyssey looks amazing, with vast, sweeping ocean shots and immense action set pieces. Among the best is an encounter with the giant cannibal soldiers, the Laestrygonians, with their imposing size and intimidating armor. Damon, looking like he’s gotten back into Jason Bourne shape, impresses in a violent finale that reminds you of what a kick-ass action hero he can be.
My only real gripe with The Odyssey is minor, but rears its ugly head repeatedly. Homer’s poem is such a huge undertaking, with so much happening all at once in locations all across the map, that transitions from scene to scene can be clunky, with some getting short shrift and others a bit too much focus. Also, with such a strong ensemble from top to bottom, you do wish some of them had meatier roles. Still, Elliot Page is very good as Sinon, a soldier who sacrifices everything for the Trojan Horse plot, and I also thought Himesh Patel made the most out of a minor role as Eurylochus, Odysseus’ right-hand man.
As is often the case with Nolan, The Odyssey is a movie that demands to be seen on the biggest, most advanced theater you can find. It also demands to be seen multiple times, because there’s so much happening that it’s impossible to catch everything. Repeat viewings are a must, and if it holds up to Nolan’s ridiculously high standard, they will also be rewarded.
The Odyssey opens in theaters and IMAX on July 17th.
