The Odyssey (2026)
If you forget Tenet, which try as I might I can’t, Christopher Nolan is the powerhouse creative force in contemporary, big budget cinema. He doesn’t make bad films (provided you’ve wiped Tenet from your brain). Taking on Homer’s The Odyssey was never going to be easy, but even if Spielberg had directed it on I’d have been a bit sad that Nolan wasn’t in charge.
The Odyssey is one of the few films I’ve been genuinely salivating in anticipation of. We had to see it in IMAX because that’s how it was shot. No half measures. My copies of Iliad and The Odyssey were sitting there looking at me to read again (I also have The Return to watch as part of this Greek-ing out), but like Game of Thrones, I just wanted to see it on screen then decide.
The IMAX in London is sold out until September and my friend paid £55 for two tickets. We’ve recently moved to Sheffield and the IMAX here charged us £16 for two seats. It was still busy, very busy and I don’t like crowds, though that will never change. My perfect cinema experience is a huge screen and no people. You HAVE to see The Odyssey in IMAX.
Having not studied Homer since my teens, when I loved The Odyssey and Iliad and was just glad reading and writing stories was an option I took (somewhat forcibly) over learning Latin, I was happy not to be a dick about what I thought they should do or not do with the film. I made that decision going in. Let Nolan do his thing, I thought, he’s still not forgiven you for the angry emails about Tenet.
Odysseus’ return from Troy is told piecemeal like Homer’s poem, but more so. His seven years smacked off his tits on Ogygia is the centrifuge of his spiralling memories, while Charlize Theron (Calypso) wants to bang him into oblivion. I won't go into anymore details because it'll spoil it*.
I’m not a Greek warrior, but I’d take getting off my nut and having Charlize Theron all over me as a decent way to see out my days. I don’t even think my Mrs would be upset by that remark, if the boot was on the other foot… I’d probably not have a house full of suitors causing me grief. Odysseus is determined to make it home from battle and doesn’t want to be cuckolded.
Nolan keeps the fantasy and the reality elements of The Odyssey distinct from each other, subtly. His unrivalled devotion to having as many practical, in camera effects as possible warms my heart and reaps visual rewards. It is overwhelmingly immersive and while not particularly emotionally powerful, hugely engaging.
I don’t care about anything other than being told a good story and impressed. One long, very well made and intense film of a long and violent journey, seen in IMAX. One happy Adam.
The whole of The Odyssey is about manners, really. Don’t be a dick, and eat more Lotus flower when Calypso tells you. 9/10
*I really can't be arsed, just see the film.
CLASH OF THE TITANS
THE GREEN KNIGHT
TALE OF TALES
THE DARK CRYSTAL
KAOS
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