Cast: Matt Damon, Anne Hathaway, Tom Holland, Robert Pattinson, Charlize Theron, Zendaya, Himesh Patel, Lupita Nyong'o, Samantha Morton

Crew: 

Based on Homer's Odyssey
Cinematography by Hoyte van Hoytema
Edited by Jennifer Lame
Music by Ludwig Göransson
Written & Directed by Christopher Nolan
Produced by Emma Thomas, Christopher Nolan
Distributed by Universal Pictures

Christopher Nolan is one of the most celebrated filmmakers in International Cinema. He won Oscar with Oppenheimer and now, he decided to reimagine greek mythological adventure Homer's Odyssey poem about Odysseus journey back to his home after a ten year gruelling Trojan War which resulted in destruction of indestrutible Troy. Let's discuss about the movie in detail. 

Plot:

Odysseus (Matt Damon), the King of Ithaca, has helped Greek King, Agamemnon (Benny Safdie) to win Trojan War and destroy Troy. But he did not return to his home for 20 years, since the war started and 10 years since war ended. His son Telemachus (Tom Holland) and wife Penelope (Anne Hathaway) are looking fend off her suitors, led by Antinous (Robert Pattinson), who want to marry the Queen and become new King. He is travelling on the ocean and no one knows where he is lost. Can he comeback home? What does he encounter on his journey? Watch the film to know more. 

Analysis: 

Christopher Nolan has yet again decided to re-invent how a cinematic spectacle is designed by taking the most extraordinary adventure tale of a single man at ocean. He doesn't want audiences to be blown away by war visuals but he provides the same spectacle in a different manner. He wants to give a humanitarian eye to this big war and following resilient journey. None of the spectacular incidents are stated as they happen but are recounted as character's memory. 

Giving another dimension and interpretation to everything that has been read and experienced by many over the years takes courage. Nolan doesn't shy away from shooting the film on IMAX 70 MM, yet, he tries to look into the depth of human emotions that such big events tend to overlook. What really motivates a resiliant journey? Why would anyone think about waging a war and how far they would go to attain victory and at what cost? 

These questions are answered in a beautiful and elaborate manner without disrespecting Homer's original poem. Nolan doesn't try to question the magical beings existence and God's existence but tries to tell Odysseus story as an ode to God's testament. He tries to engulf the sorrowness in victory and loneliness in triumph as guilt of main character in a spectacular manner that rewards a keen eye. 

While movie pacing is not exactly like big Hollywood blockbusters, Nolan doesn't shy away from spending time to establish all the nodes before diving into the real crux. As a director who started his films like Inception, The Dark Knight, The Dark Knight Rises, Dunkrik, Tenet with big action set pieces he showcases grand restraint in not diving straight into Trojan war. Because there is a different meaning to it all and it has to be experienced. 

Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Robert Pattinson all deliver their best. Damon is almost unrecognisable but he suits the moral compass and warrior role perfectly in this Nolan's interpretation. Technically, movie aces at using BGM and camera work in letting the magic and trauma feel real. Even the gigantic creatures are handled in a very realistic manner and horror that they represent. Production values are phenomenal and this is an unprecedented achivement technically. 

Narrative wise the movie does demand a lot of attention and being a very old tale, the beats are known. It is the adaptation of Nolan that makes it fresh and different. Once again, Nolan delivered a fulfilling experience but for people who are only expecting spectacular visuals and scale, this might just end up being slow and dense narration. 

Positives: 
Performances
Techncial Brilliance
Production Values
Gigantic Scale

Negatives: 
Action choreography looks too basic at places
Slow Narration
Very Nolan Style Screenplay

Bottomline: A High Caliber Nolan special with an unconventional look into Epic. 

Rating: 3/5 

Disclaimer: The views/opinions expressed in this review are personal views/opinions shared by the writer and organisation does not hold a liability to them. Viewers' discretion is advised before reacting to them.