FILM: Wrath of the Titans (post viewing)

Wrath of the Titans, the follow on from the 2010 remake Clash of the Titans was released in British cinemas last Friday.

The film reverts back to fateful Sam Worthington's Perseus, who has returned, accompanied with a more potent Aussie accent, to the humble occupation of a fisherman. And there's instantly something fishy about this choice of lifestyle when you've just nipped to the underworld, killed a gorgon and saved the mythological world from the clutches of a 80ft+ Kracken. The narrative quickly resolves this questionable career move when the predictable badass Hades decides it'll be a good idea to kill all the 'immortal' Gods - save effeminate Spaniard, and unlikely God of War, Ares - and bring back their mentally unstable Dad - Kronos - to wreak havoc on Earth. Once again, Perseus gets involved.

The sequel features much more imaginative and satisfying beasts, in the form of Cyclops, Chimaera, Kronos and a Minotaur, as well as a handful of freakish double bodied warriors. There's also some cool God action when Zeus and Hades finally decide to step in to the fight.

I didn't bother to see this in 3D. After the abysmal Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides experience, I was too wary of dishing out the dollar only to be met with a film which mildly hurt my eyes and had one slightly three dimensional moment, but i'd be interested if anyone saw it in 3D and let me know what they thought.

The film has some sweet action sequences, and the CGI really is impressive, particularly when you're put into the point of view of Perseus on a flying horse, attempting to avoid the seemingly unavoidable volcanic weaponary of Kronos. There was a couple of dubious moments when I was confused Pegasus didn't get fried. And, at points, the rapid-cut, handheld battle sequences get a little confusing. 'Wait, who's getting their head smashed in?'

In terms of relations to the previous film, I think Wrath surpassed Clash in entertainment value. It seemed to be conscious of the last film's cheesiness, like when a character jibes "Oh, Perseus! 'RELEASE THE KRACKEN!' And all that?". Despite this, it also makes room for some awkward moments. There's a weird scene [POSSIBLE SPOILER] where Hades is gazing at his brother Zeus and says "I do", leaving a pregnant pause before adding "forgive you!" - or am I just being immature? This one also leaves out the mass of characters you don't really care about, trimming it down to Worthington, Rosamond Pike and Toby Kebbel to save the day. On the subject of Pike (not the fish), she makes a good heroine, joining in the battles and whatnot, although I do feel it's a bit harsh that they decided to cut out Gemma Artheton's Io, awkwardly strategically killing her to make way for romances with the Princess.

"Io? Who the deuce is she?"

Yes the plot follows the main structure of the first film. What with the emerging crisis; unlikely hero; treachorous destination; and strangely amiable beasts (the scorpions in Clash, cyclops in Wrath), along with the epic final battle with the gigantic but slow-moving baddie (the Kraken and Kronos). But this is much better executed, with more humour, entertainment, and genuinely impressive special effects.

And, let's face it, Hollywood can't green light anything original! That would be risky.