DVD review: Clash of the Titans ***

Our on-staff movie buff Leanne McGrath shares her candid review of the latest DVD release. Email feedback to her at [email protected].

Clash of the Titans  ***

Stars: Sam Worthington, Liam Neeson, Ralph Fiennes
Director: Louis Leterrier
Rated: PG-13
Runtime: 110 minutes
Fantasy/action/drama

A remake of the much loved swords and sandals epic from 1981 starring Laurence Olivier — most famous for its use of Ray Harryhausen’s stop-motion creatures.

This time the monsters and magical beings of ancient Greece — including the snake-haired demon Medusa, flying horse Pegasus and terrifying sea beast the Kraken — are created using CGI and the action is ranked up 100-fold.

Hollywood’s hottest new hero Sam Worthington (Terminator: Salvation, Avatar) plays Perseus, the mortal son of the god Zeus (Liam Neeson), who is tasked with stopping Hades, lord of the underworld (Ralph Fiennes), from seizing power and unleashing hell on earth.

Leading a fearless band of warriors, Perseus embarks on a perilous quest to save Argos, the heart of civilisation, and its beautiful princess Andromeda.

She is to be sacrificed to the seemingly unstoppable Kraken — an act that will calm the Gods, who are furious at the independence the humans now exhibit toward their creators.

The movie is a massive epic spectacle that takes you on an action-packed rollercoaster ride from the depths of hell to the heights of Mount Olympus.

Director Louis Leterrier (The Incredible Hulk) is a huge fan of the original and remains faithful to its story while giving it a modern, affectionate update.

Fans will like the reappearance of the original’s mechanical owl, Bubo, who is quickly tossed aside.

Leterrier requested animation legend Harryhausen’s involvement but he would not come out of retirement.

The ensemble cast is impressive, with Oscar nominees Fiennes, Neeson and Pete Postlethwaite starring alongside hot young talents Worthington, Casino Royale actress Gemma Arterton and Defiance star Alexa Davalos. Fans of the original and newcomers cannot afford to miss this spectacular, epic voyage through ancient mythology — a titanic visual masterpiece that bucks the trend when it comes to remakes failing to hit the heights of the originals.

Watch if you liked: Clash Of The Titans, Gladiator.