Introduction
Symbols have been effectively used in movies/films over the years to reflect some myths. These have strong influences on viewership of films. The acceptability of the realism of these myths has continued over the years even though humankind seems to become ‘more enlightened’. This paper will attempt to discuss the effects of mythological symbolism as used in the movie Clash of the Titans (2010). The paper will also briefly consider the plot of the movie and center on music score, use of special effects, such as ops and sound, choice of actors, as well as what the audience expect in consonance with the mythic symbolism in the movie.
The paper will specifically attempt to extrapolate the ‘message’ carried by the film from the point of view of the viewer as well as from the producer’s angle.
The Film Critiqued
The film under study is the Clash of the Titan; a film that could be said to be intensively forayed into Greek mythologies and has very striking pious symbolism. The 2010 fantasy film is a loose presentation based on Greek myth about Perseus. It was directed by Louis Leterrier and starred Sam Worthington. The 3D film was formally presented to the public in April 2, 2010.
Plot of the Film
The film presents a Greek-Perseus-hero story; this legend appears to stand out in significance and use of mytho-poetic figures amongst all other produced films on Western culture. Perseus is a representation of rationalism and a heroic Western Individualism whereby humankind overpowers irrational/chthonian evil forces which are expressed as the kraken sea-monster and the Medusa in the effort to save a stunning Princess Andromeda. It has been noted that ‘in Greek mythology, Perseus is the first of the great Greek heroes, and through his marriage to Princess Andromeda, his descendants include many of the most notable heroes and warriors of the Greek tradition – from Hercules to Agamemnon’ (Travers, 2010).
With a perfect play by Sam Worthington, Perseus expresses very striking elements of a hero who is handsome and very intelligent. The film equally features an amazing selection of ladies – among these are the beautiful, elegant, and adorable Prince Andromeda (this role is well taken by Alexa Davalos), the conceited Queen Cassiopeia (interpreted by Polly Walker), as well as deities.
The Mythology behind Clash of the Titans
The following mythology has been used in the film Clash of the Titans:
- The Mortals
The mortals in the film include Perseus who happened to be son to Zeus and the mortal woman Danae. Danae was held captive by her father Acrisius in a tower as an effort of keeping her from having a child due to the fact that an oracle had forewarned that the child would murder the king. Despite the warning, the god Zeus impregnated her as the foretold death of Acrisius turned out to be as warned. This proved the dependence to which humankind can not deviate from proposed supernatural happenings. Equally, there was Andromeda who happened to be a princess and a wife-to-be to Perseus- who at a point rescued her life from a sea-monster. But subsequently, the viewer of the film is presented with an Andromeda who became chained to a rock so a sea monster could consume her- and this was due to the fact her mother Cassiopeia had to much pride in her.
There is also Draco, an Athenian lawmaker, Solon who revised the draconian laws made by Draco, and Io who proved the insignificance of getting engaged with Zeus. It has been noted that ‘Zeus changed her into a heifer to keep her from being recognized- this explained why she wandered the world as a heifer and met the captive Prometheus’ (Berardinelli, 2011);
- The Gods
Among the gods was Zeus who was an exceptionally powerful god. Poseidon and Hades were brethren to Zeus. Zeus was also the king of Mt Olympus and the sky and thunder God whose offspring were Rhea and Cronus. Zeus had Aphrodite, Hermes, Artemis, and Athena as the offspring- Perseus therefore was a son to an exceptionally influential deity who he was not supposed to offend in any way. Hades was the deity who had powers over death and had control over the underworld domain by which’s name he was known. According to Turan, ‘he ruled his kingdom with an iron hand’ (Turan, 2010). It was therefore not totally strange that mortals revered him in the conviction that he was a representation of their mortal nature.
The film also had Poseidon who was brother to Zeus and Hades and was the deity of the sea as well as Cronus’ son. Hera was wife to Zeus and Aphrodite was sexuality and love goddess whose birth was certainly the oddest among the entire Gods’. Apollo is seen in the film to have vast powers over the truth, the Sun, prophecy, poetry, medicine, music, as well as the arts, and was twin to Artemis. Kois has noted that, ‘the lyre was considered as a symbol of Apollo, and he was equally in love with both male and female in a romantic conquests’ (Kois, 2010);
- Athena’s myth is shown in the fatefulness of the powers of the gods. Zeus swallowed the pregnant Metis in an attempt to stop the birth of their child; as a result, Metis gave birth to Athena inside Zeus- so Athena appeared out of it in full armor wielding a thunderbolt inherited from her father;
- Hermes was the messenger of the Gods and the guide through the underworld and he watched over travelers and was the inventor of fire;
- Ares was also son to Zeus and Hera and was the God of War, so he had a lot of weapons;
- Demeter was the goddess of the harvest and presided over the fertility of the Earth. If someone displeased her, she would cause drought and hunger (Wayland, 2010).
Such ugly evil creatures as Medusa, Calibos, and Kraken are also included in this myth.
Music Score, Use of Special Effects, Choice of Actors, and Audience Expectations
The sounds and musical rhythms in the film resonates strong myth and the use of special effects has been appropriate and scores high in critical terms. The choice of the actors for the film is acceptable as each actor expressed strength and vigor that matched the roles they carried. This can especially be seen through Sam Worthington, Ralph Fiennes, Sean Francis George, Nathalie Cox, Paul Kynman, William Houston, Danny Huston, Polly Walker, Alexander Siddig, Ross Mullan, and several other actors who are featured in the film. The film rates high amongst those who watch it as having a strong myth that reflects human relationship with supernatural forces.
Conclusion
The 2010 version of Clash of the Titans was directed by Louis Leterrier and was originally produced by Ray Harry Hausen as an effort to crown his career with a remarkable piece of work. There is distinctive adaptation of the usage of myths in expressing bravery, individuality, splendor, and freedom which are of primary importance to the Western civilization. Therefore, the film presents a satisfactory heroic Greek story about Perseus that appears to become very significant to the Western culture.
Reference List
- Berardinelli, J. (2011). Clash of the Titans. [Review of the film Clash of the Titans]. Reelviews Movie Reviews. Web.
- Kois, D. (2010). Clash of the Titans 3D: A hero’s quest? No, a fool’s errand [Review of the film Clash of the Titans]. The Washington Post.
- Travers, P. (2010). Clash of the Titans [Review of the film Clash of the Titans]. Rolling Stone. Web.
- Turan, K. (2010). Turan review: ‘Clash of the Titans’ has ‘distracting’ 3-D and ‘clunky’ action. [Review of the film Clash of the Titans]. Los Angelis Times.
- Wayland, S. (2010). Sam Worthington Interview CLASH OF THE TITANS. Collider.com.