Immortals (2011)

Immortals cast Superman-in waiting Henry Cavill as Theseus, a poor peasant boy who rises up to lead an army against Mickey Rourke's King Hyperion, an evil leader who will do anything to find the location of the Epierius Bow, a weapon from the heavens that will give him unrivalled power.

The 300 comparisons for this ultra-stylish Greek epic are inevitable. But Immortals is far more expansive, embracing Mythology and abandoning historical fidelity in favour of more grotesque fantasy. By some distance this is Tarsem's most commerical film to date. His previous efforts have been The Cell and the somewhat overlooked The Fall. Those people who enjoyed the bone-crunching action and graphic novel look of 300 will no doubt find much to admire with Immortals, but like Zack Snyder and his spartan epic, Tarsem finds himself and a loose end when it comes to storytelling. For all his artfully-composed shots and beautiful looking digital scenery, writers Charley and Vlas can't conjure him up a script that has characters that are more then just cannon fodder.

The costumes and set designs are breathtaking but are more helpful then overwhelming. There's no denying the film is gorgeous to look at but I couldn't help feeling that I was simply just looking at a sound stage and not a wonderful Greek city.

However, the cast do quite well with the material they have been given, but Frieda Pinto's Virgin oracle and Luke Evan's Zeus feel like nothing more then plot devices rather then real people. As war rages on Earth, the Gods decide not to interfere, yet this changes when the story is sagging and needs a shot in the arm.

You can always tell when Mickey Rourke is having fun in he's movies and he definitely enjoyed playing King Hyperion. One scene in particular has King Hyperion ordering one of his Minions to put a sledgehammer to a mans testicles! (a few men screamed in the cinema).

Cavill also proves a capable action star as the hot-headed hero. He shows leadership and has a great physical presence that bodes well for Superman:Man Of Steel (2013).

Immortals has some bizarre moments that will stay with you long after the film has ended, and on some occasions the plot feels like it's been cut up and put back together again. But the films leaves you wanting more. The 3D has been done better but it's also been done a lot worse (Clash of the Titans), but it still feels like its been forced on a film that never needed it in the first place.

Immortals won't do anything to win over new fans and 300 is certainly a better film. But it has enough action to satisfy an audience on a Saturday night and makes you feel optimistic about Tarsem's Snow White and Henry's Superman.