THE ODYSSEY
Starring: Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Robert Pattinson, Jon Bernthal, Lupita Nyong’o, Zendaya, John Leguizamo, Samantha Morton, Himesh Patel, Benny Safdie, Charlize Theron, Elliot Page, Corey Hawkins, and Mia Goth
Director: Christopher Nolan
ADRIANO
Christopher Nolan’s talents as a filmmaker are undeniable and nearly unmatched, and The Odyssey is no exception. A sprawling sword-and-sandals epic of this scale is exactly what the theatrical experience demands, and Nolan and his team make outstanding use of the format with an array of amazing set pieces. The writing falls into typical pitfalls for him, including unnecessary non-linear storytelling and failing to reach the heights he’s thematically aiming for, but it's not for lack of trying. His commitment makes it incredibly watchable, and while you should seek it out because it’s something you must experience, it is mid-tier Nolan.
NICK
I have always loved Homer’s Odyssey and although it feels out of place for director Christopher Nolan to take on, I was excited for his version. As expected, he has created something that is both epic in scale and wonderfully acted across the board. Having said that, Nolan’s take is overly sanitized, and while there are some stand-out sequences, the lack of brutality made me question whether Nolan fully understood the character of Odysseus (Matt Damon), especially in the film’s finale. The Odyssey is a technical achievement, to be sure, but I don’t think Nolan has succeeded in creating the definitive adaptation of this story.
QUENTIN
For all the hype he gets, I haven’t loved a Christopher Nolan movie since 2010's Inception (everything since has been generally good, except Tenet, but also kinda forgettable). The Odyssey, with all its epic blockbuster trappings and preceding hype, changes that. It's undeniably fantastic, boasting action, tragedy, suspense, grandeur, and even horror. Plus, surprisingly, at nearly three hours, there is zero fat. You need every bit of this story, meaning it never drags. Couple that with Nolan's typical technical wizardry and stellar performances, and you’ve got the must-see theatrical experience of the summer (maybe the year) and a return to form for the lauded filmmaker.
AMARÚ
It took about 10 minutes to get used to the modern dialogue used for The Odyssey’s ancient prose. While that mixture substantiates writing as Christopher Nolan’s foible, his direction, coupled with the stacked cast’s performances, gives us the epic of the year. It is harsh, cruel, tense, and heart pounding. With Nolan being my favorite director and Homer’s poem being one of my favorite all-time stories, the marriage of the two was as grand, emotional and marvelously scored, shot, and paced as I wanted it to be. I can’t wait to see it again now that I am more attuned to its slightly out-of-place, modernized script.
ROBERT
In the times of cell phones and short attention spans, a three-hour film keeping eyeballs transfixed is nothing short of miraculous. The Odyssey is special in that the environment and setting do nothing, even when considering gods and monsters, to take you out of the brutality and struggle of everyone’s journey, not just Odysseus’ (Matt Damon). Everything is a character, including the ocean the Greeks traverse and the boats they lumber to steer. While there are some odd casting choices in my personal estimation, most everyone is pitch perfect in the universe they occupy. A technical marvel and glorious insight into man’s descent…a true symphony from director Christopher Nolan.
KATIE
The Odyssey is beautiful and full of suspense, horror, heartbreak, and awe-inspiring visuals. Some of the casting choices are slightly bizarre, but, crucially, Matt Damon is fantastic. I was doubtful he could rise to the heights the name Odysseus demands, but he is excellent as director Chistopher Nolan’s realisation of this character. I don’t understand the ensemble’s American accents or why the dialogue was so modern, but it didn’t detract from my enjoyment once I was used to it. It’s essential to see it on the biggest screen possible, and I want to see it in its true IMAX format as soon as I can.
BODE
Putting aside the dozens of films inspired by Homer’s The Odyssey, there actually haven’t been many direct adaptations of the foundational Greek poem. So, leave it to director Christopher Nolan to spend his post-Oscar blank cheque doing just that. It’s what you’d expect his version of this text would be, with all the technical wizardry, solid performances (Samantha Morton is the clear MVP), and exciting set pieces fitting for an epic. It’s certainly satisfying to watch unfold, yet its flaws - mostly in its writing - kept me from embracing it wholeheartedly. But, as often with Nolan, perhaps another watch could unlock it.
PAIGE
The artistry in director Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey is outstanding, from its massive scope and scale to its practical effects that fully immerse you into this world. Its score from Ludwig Göransson is epic, and its cinematography is gorgeous. But that isn't to say the film is without flaws, as its sound mixing, non-linear storytelling, and confusing editing can be distracting at times. That said, it's still a gigantic spectacle that allows Matt Damon to deliver one of his best performances to date. All in all, The Odyssey is a breathtaking epic that will leave you in awe.
Want to hear even more of our thoughts? Nick , Amarú, and Jeannine join Matt to take A Bigger Bite out of The Odyssey HERE.