‘The Odyssey’ Review: Passion in Every Frame
Article excerpt
Few directors close the divide between the art film and the blockbuster like Christopher Nolan.
The Odyssey opens in theaters tomorrow, and the reviews of Christopher Nolan’s epic adaptation are almost as rosy as the fingers of Homer’s beloved dawn. Here’s a look at the reviews:
A genuinely grand, gutsy vision, “The Odyssey” thrills generously for the bulk of its near three-hour running time: Every few minutes, it seems, it throws at its audience another mighty setpiece that, in almost any other summer studio spectacle, would be a climactic standout., Guy Lodge, Variety
…The craziest thing about The Odyssey is that Nolan’s interpretation absolutely sticks the landing, adding an unexpected dimension to one of our culture’s most told and retold sagas. This is a film stuffed with bravura set pieces and awesome effects; it’s also mature and thoughtful, a character study disguised as a blockbuster., Hillary Busis, Vanity Fair
Nolan employs beauty strategically, using it to seduce viewers into stories that can seem needlessly byzantine to some, especially by impoverished mainstream industry standards, more the provenance of the art house than the multiplex. Nolan asks us to dream bigger. His “Odyssey” is a classic in every sense, a transporting affirmation of the art and a work of pure cinema., Manohla Dargis, The New York Times
Need a refresher on the book before you see the movie? We’ve got you covered.