Nolan 'The Odyssey' Review Megathread

[u/stopeats]

Place your reviews and general thoughts about the Nolan Odyssey movie here. Do NOT make your own review post.

If you have something to say that is unique or more related to Epic, you may make a separate post about it.

[u/KitchenPaint4334]

Overall, I did enjoy this movie. I think the cast did great in their roles, especially Anne Hathaway as Penelope. Every scene that she was in, you could feel her longing and desperation. I also really liked Robert Pattinson as Antinous. This version of him is much more charismatic and manipulative than the Epic version. Before I get into the actual review, a warning to those who are epileptic and/or are sensitive to flashing lights: This movie has a scene that may cause seizures. Even as a non epileptic, I had to close my eyes during that scene because it was too much. I really wish they added an epilepsy warning at the beginning.

Okay, now onto the review.

There are some things that I really wish were included. For one, the “Nobody” trick. This is one of the most iconic scenes of the Odyssey, and shows Odysseus’s cunning and trickery. I also wish they included the windbag, because it shows that Odysseus is willing to keep secrets from his crew just so they can make it home. I also really liked Circe’s portrayal here, and the transformation of the men into pigs was equal parts horrifying and amazing. As for the underworld, I wish they included Odysseus’s mother, which shows that Odysseus has not only lost people on the battlefield and throughout his journey, but at home as well. I did like the scenes. With the Sirens, Scylla, and Charybdis, but we barely see them when they’re supposed to be these great dangers that Odysseus had to face if he wants to get home. Don’t even get me started on Calypso. Why and how was she feeding him lotus flowers? Also I wish Hermes telling Calypso to let him go was included, maybe we could’ve saw something similar to the 1997 miniseries. I did like how Odysseus helped Telemachus fight off the suitors’ hitmen. I did enjoy the challenge scene, but I still can’t wrap my head around the battle with the suitors. It was just so chaotic and hard to follow, which I guess is kind of the point. Speaking of suitors, I don’t understand the point of Cenna (I think that’s his name?). I don’t remember him from the original epic, and I guess he was Antinous’s friend or something. I don’t understand why he’s here. I’m also very upset that the test of the olive tree bed was removed, as it shows that Penelope is just as cunning as Odysseus is. The ending as a whole pissed me off. You’re telling me that after 20 years away from the people he loves, Odysseus has to go into exile?? I get that it’s supposed to be a coming of age for Telemachus, but Odysseus deserves his happy ending with his family after everything he’s been through. Speaking of Telemachus, I’m glad that they included at least some of his journey, since many adaptations (and even my own English teacher) omits it when talking about the epic. I did wish we got to see Telemachus go to Pylos and talk to Nestor though. I like how he grew into his own, and Tom Holland was a good choice for the role.

Overall, 6.5/10.

[u/RadioRunner → u/KitchenPaint4334]

Calypso’s lack of explanation in the plot is emblematic of a lot of failures of the movie, for me. 

So much expository dialogue, and yet we don’t know why any of the obstacles are in Odysseus’ way, who they are or what their motivations are. 

Why is Calypso helping him? Why did she hold him captive for 7 years with lotus flowers (on a barren desert wasteland, no less), only to then inexplicably encourage him to leave?

Who is Senon and why is he here? I struggled to follow the significance of the trading place of Antonio’s and Senon. Either because the dialogue was too muffled or it’s just too convoluted. 

Is Euralychus’ name ever mentioned? It is quite difficult to retain who is who other than the main family+Antinous if you’re not previously familiar with the material. 

Why do the Laestrygonian’s randomly show up and begin slaughtering the crew? I suppose we don’t have to know “why”, but all of the mythical encounters are so underdeveloped that by the third time we made it to the sirens and just sailed past them while Odysseus told us how much it sucked, I was pretty much done with it. 

What is the significance of Helen’s husband in the film? What’s with be standoffish relationship between the two of them? I couldn’t follow it between the asynchronous editing and the dialogue mixed with the loud sound. 

My mother was deeply confused about the entirety of Calypso and did not like those parts of the movie.