Written for the Screen & Directed By Christopher Nolan; Starring Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Robert Pattinson, Lupita Nyong’o, Samantha Morton, John Leguizamo, Zendaya, and Charlize Theron.
Based on Homer’s epic ancient Greek poem of the same name. The story follows Odysseus (Matt Damon), the King of Ithaca. Following the Trojan War, he goes on a long, perilous journey home to reunite with his wife, Penelope (Anne Hathaway). Yet along the way, he encounters several mythical beings. This is Christopher Nolan’s follow-up to his 2023 Oscar-winning blockbuster, Oppenheimer.
When his next project was initially announced, not much was known about it. There was speculation regarding what it was going to be. No matter what, it was still easily on my radar. Almost every single movie Nolan previously made was among my favorites of their respective years. Even the few I personally don’t consider to be top tier are still bangers compared to a majority of what’s out there. When it was revealed that he was adapting The Odyssey… everyone’s minds were immediately blown.
Having now seen the end results, this appears to be an even more ambitious project for him for various reasons. With a $250,000,000 budget, everything is so impeccably mounted. A large part of that is due to Ruth de Jong’s immaculate production design. As Nolan likes to use in camera effects as much as possible without any use of CG, there're countless sequences that’ll leave you going “How the hell did they pull that off?!.” As this is the very first film in history to be shot entirely in IMAX, the cinematography by Hoyte van Hoytema is absolutely stunning.
Another one of Nolan’s many trademarks is his use of nonlinear storytelling. Casual audiences may not be used to it. They may also find themselves lost and confused at the same time. Understandably so, but that’s part of what makes subsequent rewatches of his work rewarding. There’s always a lot more to unpack that you may not have caught at first glance. The editing by Jennifer Lame is not only excellently done with the structure, but also with keeping this three-hour epic moving at such a brisk pace.
Once again, Nolan is working with a sprawling ensemble cast of A-listers. Each of them have been acting for years. Yet all of their performances here have to be among some of the very best work they’ve ever done. Matt Damon’s portrayal of Odysseus proves to be both strong and complex at the same time. Tom Holland successfully holds his own as his son and prince of Ithaca, Telemachus. Robert Pattinson creates quite a Shakespearean take on Antinous, the Ithacan son of Eupeithes. Despite not necessarily being an obvious choice for a movie like this, John Leguizamo is a surprise standout as Odysseus’ faithful servant, Eumaeus.
Something Nolan has understandably been criticized quite a bit for is his female characters. Specifically how they tend not to be as well realized as his male characters. The one who absolutely makes the biggest impression is Anne Hathaway as Odysseus’ wife and queen of Ithaca, Penelope. The others may not have as much to do, but the actresses really do make the most of what they’re working with. Lupita Nyong’o plays two different roles such as Helen of Troy and her sister, Clytemnestra, quite effectively. Zendaya offers up a glowing presence as Athena, the goddess of wisdom. Charlize Theron is pretty strong as the nymph, Calypso. Although Samantha Morton definitely slays it as the witch, Circe.
Between this and Oppenheimer, I’m really loving what appears to be a new era in Nolan’s career. Specifically by marrying the epic scope of his more recent work with the more character-driven storylines of his earlier work on Memento and The Prestige. In doing so, he’s given us some of the most unforgettable moviegoing experiences in recent memory. Seeing this on the big screen with surround sounds everywhere truly makes the incredible soundwork and Ludwig Göransson’s unique musical score shine. They really don’t make them like they used to… often enough.
Rating: 5/5
Based on Homer’s epic ancient Greek poem of the same name. The story follows Odysseus (Matt Damon), the King of Ithaca. Following the Trojan War, he goes on a long, perilous journey home to reunite with his wife, Penelope (Anne Hathaway). Yet along the way, he encounters several mythical beings. This is Christopher Nolan’s follow-up to his 2023 Oscar-winning blockbuster, Oppenheimer.
When his next project was initially announced, not much was known about it. There was speculation regarding what it was going to be. No matter what, it was still easily on my radar. Almost every single movie Nolan previously made was among my favorites of their respective years. Even the few I personally don’t consider to be top tier are still bangers compared to a majority of what’s out there. When it was revealed that he was adapting The Odyssey… everyone’s minds were immediately blown.
Having now seen the end results, this appears to be an even more ambitious project for him for various reasons. With a $250,000,000 budget, everything is so impeccably mounted. A large part of that is due to Ruth de Jong’s immaculate production design. As Nolan likes to use in camera effects as much as possible without any use of CG, there're countless sequences that’ll leave you going “How the hell did they pull that off?!.” As this is the very first film in history to be shot entirely in IMAX, the cinematography by Hoyte van Hoytema is absolutely stunning.
Another one of Nolan’s many trademarks is his use of nonlinear storytelling. Casual audiences may not be used to it. They may also find themselves lost and confused at the same time. Understandably so, but that’s part of what makes subsequent rewatches of his work rewarding. There’s always a lot more to unpack that you may not have caught at first glance. The editing by Jennifer Lame is not only excellently done with the structure, but also with keeping this three-hour epic moving at such a brisk pace.
Once again, Nolan is working with a sprawling ensemble cast of A-listers. Each of them have been acting for years. Yet all of their performances here have to be among some of the very best work they’ve ever done. Matt Damon’s portrayal of Odysseus proves to be both strong and complex at the same time. Tom Holland successfully holds his own as his son and prince of Ithaca, Telemachus. Robert Pattinson creates quite a Shakespearean take on Antinous, the Ithacan son of Eupeithes. Despite not necessarily being an obvious choice for a movie like this, John Leguizamo is a surprise standout as Odysseus’ faithful servant, Eumaeus.
Something Nolan has understandably been criticized quite a bit for is his female characters. Specifically how they tend not to be as well realized as his male characters. The one who absolutely makes the biggest impression is Anne Hathaway as Odysseus’ wife and queen of Ithaca, Penelope. The others may not have as much to do, but the actresses really do make the most of what they’re working with. Lupita Nyong’o plays two different roles such as Helen of Troy and her sister, Clytemnestra, quite effectively. Zendaya offers up a glowing presence as Athena, the goddess of wisdom. Charlize Theron is pretty strong as the nymph, Calypso. Although Samantha Morton definitely slays it as the witch, Circe.
Between this and Oppenheimer, I’m really loving what appears to be a new era in Nolan’s career. Specifically by marrying the epic scope of his more recent work with the more character-driven storylines of his earlier work on Memento and The Prestige. In doing so, he’s given us some of the most unforgettable moviegoing experiences in recent memory. Seeing this on the big screen with surround sounds everywhere truly makes the incredible soundwork and Ludwig Göransson’s unique musical score shine. They really don’t make them like they used to… often enough.
Rating: 5/5