# Clash of the Titans **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 15, 2009, 9:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clash-of-the-titans/521338 "2009-12-15T09:16:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Equipoise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/equipoise/32/151_2.png) [@Equipoise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Equipoise)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2010, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clash-of-the-titans/521338/21 "2010-03-30T22:59:55Z")
> [@Equipoise](#): > > [Gemma Aterton](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2605345/) is set to become popular too. You fall in love with her in this, and she’s also going to be the Leading Lady in **Prince of Persia**. She’s adorable. Speaking of Gemma, [here are some nice pictures](http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1262095/Clash-Of-The-Titans-premiere-Gemma-Arterton-reveals-new-tattoo.html) of her at the London premiere. Too bad about the tattoo, but to me it is at least tasteful and easily hidden. ---
**Author:** ![foolsguinea](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foolsguinea/32/14751_2.png) [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2010, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clash-of-the-titans/521338/22 "2010-03-30T23:02:52Z")
As much as they use that, “Release the Kraken!” line in the ads, I really hope the final cut has Neeson saying, “Eh, let’s just put the Kraken outside now, guys,” in a quiet voice. ---
**Author:** ![dangermom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e274bd/32.png) [@dangermom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dangermom)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2010, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clash-of-the-titans/521338/23 "2010-03-30T23:23:31Z")
I dunno, if there’s no Harryhausen it’s just not Clash of the Titans. ---
**Author:** ![Equipoise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/equipoise/32/151_2.png) [@Equipoise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Equipoise)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2010, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clash-of-the-titans/521338/24 "2010-03-30T23:25:02Z")
> [@foolsguinea](#): > > As much as they use that, “Release the Kraken!” line in the ads, Kraken. Thanks. > [@foolsguinea](#): > > I really hope the final cut has Neeson saying, “Eh, let’s just put the Kraken outside now, guys,” in a quiet voice. 😃 If you want to know what happens in the movie: Perseus uses Medusa’s head to turn the Kraken into stone. ---
**Author:** ![Equipoise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/equipoise/32/151_2.png) [@Equipoise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Equipoise)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2010, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clash-of-the-titans/521338/25 "2010-03-30T23:30:15Z")
> [@dangermom](#): > > I dunno, if there’s no Harryhausen it’s just not Clash of the Titans. Whatever did the Gods do before Ray Harryhausen was born? As beloved as that movie is, it’s old. Really old. And really, kinda cheesy. Great for its time, but there’s a new generation with higher standards. At least some of them will go on to get into Greek mythology because of the new version. At least some of them will go on to discover and love the original because of this version. Both are things that may never have happened without this movie. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2010, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clash-of-the-titans/521338/26 "2010-03-30T23:59:39Z")
I am definitely going to have to see this film. I gotta semiprofessional interest in it. I’ll post my thoughts after I see it. It won’t be Harryhausen/Cross. And it won’t be “canonical” myth out of Ovid or Apollodorus – which is a _good_ thing, because the official version is a crashing bore as a story. The real question is whether it’s any good. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2010, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clash-of-the-titans/521338/27 "2010-03-31T00:57:58Z")
> [@Equipoise](#): > > [Gemma Aterton](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2605345/) is set to become popular too. You fall in love with her in this, and she’s also going to be the Leading Lady in **Prince of Persia**. She’s adorable. She’s in _both?_ Well that just seems like poor planning, they look like they are virtually the same movie, as it is. ---
**Author:** ![Equipoise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/equipoise/32/151_2.png) [@Equipoise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Equipoise)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2010, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clash-of-the-titans/521338/28 "2010-03-31T02:52:00Z")
> [@GuanoLad](#): > > She’s in _both?_ Well that just seems like poor planning, Poor planning by who? I assume you’re talking about the studios and not Gemma. Actors just do the work and go on to the next thing, they have no control over release dates. I’m sure no one at the studio gave a second thought to the fact that she’s in both. She’s fairly unknown, and looks very different in PoP. In fact, I take back what I said that she’s set to become popular. I doubt most moviegoers will even realize that it’s the same person. It’ll take a few more movies for her to become known to the general public. > [@GuanoLad](#): > > they look like they are virtually the same movie, as it is. It’ll be interesting to see what happens. Clash comes out several weeks before PoP. People might have their appetites whetted for another sword and sandal movie, or they may be tired of them. I want PoP to be good and do well. I’m not sure why, because I’m not crazy about the trailer, but I like Jake and want him to prove himself as an action guy (and hope he never does another one like this). I now know who Gemma is and can’t wait to see her in it. I actually knew her before Clash because I’d seen **RocknRolla** , **Quantum of Solace** and **The Boat That Rocked** , but this is the first time I was prompted to look her up on IMDB after getting home from the theater, and now I know her name. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2010, 5:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clash-of-the-titans/521338/29 "2010-03-31T05:43:32Z")
> [@Equipoise](#): > > Poor planning by who? I assume you’re talking about the studios and not Gemma. Well, both, really. Someone must have noticed the similarity in projects and suggested it might be better to space things out or try a different actress. Of the two films, I like the look of _Prince of Persia_ most. _Clash of the Titans_ seems to be all melodramatic flash and no substance, whereas the _Prince of Persia_ trailer looks like there’s more character moments and a sense of humour. ---
**Author:** ![Equipoise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/equipoise/32/151_2.png) [@Equipoise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Equipoise)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2010, 12:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clash-of-the-titans/521338/30 "2010-03-31T12:08:35Z")
I wouldn’t say there’s _no_ substance in Clash, though it’s not too deep. One of the themes is a father’s love for a son. I teared up a couple of times, one of those times involving Io (Gemma). There is a bit of humor here and there too. ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2010, 12:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clash-of-the-titans/521338/31 "2010-03-31T12:22:26Z")
> [@Khadaji](#): > > I’ll reserve judgment. This was a little too little for me to tell. Just a bunch of manic shots. Thank you! I don’t see the point of all this new-fangled CGI if you’re just going to cut in shots so fast I can’t get a look at it! So far, one of the worst things about being old is unnecessary remakes of perfectly cromulent movies. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2010, 12:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clash-of-the-titans/521338/32 "2010-03-31T12:26:46Z")
> [@](#): > > I wouldn’t say there’s no substance in Clash, though it’s not too deep. One of the themes is a father’s love for a son. I teared up a couple of times, one of those times involving Io (Gemma). There is a bit of humor here and there too. ?? Have you seen **Clash of the Titans** already? There’s no way you can be getting this from the trailers or a synopsis. The movie doesn’t open here until Friday, but I suppose there have been press screenings. This, by the way, highlights one of the differences between the myth (from whatever source) and both film versions. Perseus may be Zeus’ son, but Zeus doesn’t really have anything to do with him and his quest. In literature and art, Perseus is escorted and helped by Hermes and (even more, and sometimes only by) Athena. ---
**Author:** ![USCDiver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/uscdiver/32/354_2.png) [@USCDiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/USCDiver)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2010, 12:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clash-of-the-titans/521338/33 "2010-03-31T12:55:37Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > OTOH, “TITANS WILL CLASH” is a profoundly stupid tagline. I mean, yeah, the film’s called “Clash of the Titans”; one would expect a certain level of titan-clashing activity. IIRC, in the original, there weren’t any Titans clashing at all. It was all at the God level. ---
**Author:** ![interface2x](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c0e974/32.png) [@interface2x](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/interface2x)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2010, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clash-of-the-titans/521338/34 "2010-03-31T13:04:30Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > Have you seen **Clash of the Titans** already? There’s no way you can be getting this from the trailers or a synopsis. The movie doesn’t open here until Friday, but I suppose there have been press screenings. Pssst … post #20. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2010, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clash-of-the-titans/521338/35 "2010-03-31T13:22:13Z")
> [@](#): > > Pssst … post #20. > Reply With Quote Missed that somehow. ---
**Author:** ![Meatros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Meatros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meatros)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2010, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clash-of-the-titans/521338/36 "2010-03-31T15:06:33Z")
> [@interface2x](#): > > I _loved_ the original one as a child. +10 I even had several of the toys. In fact, one time my brother and I went on a trip with my grandparents to Florida and my prime motivator for going was to pick up replacements of the toys… > [@](#): > > This one looks okay so far, I’m mildly interested. I’m very interested - but I think it’s because I love Greek Mythology and the original Clash so much… ---
**Author:** ![Meatros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Meatros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meatros)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2010, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clash-of-the-titans/521338/37 "2010-03-31T15:08:44Z")
> [@Equipoise](#): > > I’d seen for the first time on the big screen, like the…uh, “Crackin” or whatever that thing was at the end. Can you tell, I don’t know much about mythology. I studied it in high school but forgot most of it. Actually I don’t think the Kracken is part of Greek Mythology. I think it’s scandanavian or whatever. ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Borgia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/larry_borgia/32/156_2.png) [@Larry\_Borgia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Borgia)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2010, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clash-of-the-titans/521338/38 "2010-03-31T15:22:37Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > OTOH, “TITANS WILL CLASH” is a profoundly stupid tagline. I mean, yeah, the film’s called “Clash of the Titans”; one would expect a certain level of titan-clashing activity. Actually, there wasn’t any titan clashing activity in the first movie. It should have been called “Perseus fights some monsters.” The only named [Titan](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Titan_(mythology)) is the Kraken, who isn’t even Greek, let alone a Titan. They try to call the medusa a Titan, which is silly, and even then the Medusa doesn’t fight the Kraken, Perseus uses the Medusa’s head to ossify the Kraken as it menaces Andromeda. ETA: I actually liked the original, which feels older than it is. It comes across like a 60s movie, except for the owl which is obviously inspired by R2D2. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2010, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clash-of-the-titans/521338/39 "2010-03-31T15:24:02Z")
Here’s an early, snarky review: [http://hollywoodandfine.com/reviews/?p=2156](http://hollywoodandfine.com/reviews/?p=2156) Another review: > **[Review: Clash of the Titans - Reviews](https://thephoenix.com/Boston/movies/99326-clash-of-the-titans/)** > > Divine badness reigns > [@](#): > > Actually I don’t think the Kracken is part of Greek Mythology. I think it’s scandanavian or whatever. Correct – the Kraken is Scandinavian lore (it’s not in any of the Norse myths). In the Greek, the sea monster is _Ketos_, which got latinized to _Cetus_, whence _cetacean_. Because of that, some folks render the sea monster as whale-like. But ancient artwork shows nothing at all like a whale. The earliest picture, in fact, looks somewhat fox-like. Usually it looks very much like a dragon. _Ketos_ may be a generic term for “Sea Monster” – the maiden Hesione, rescued by Hercules, was also sacrificed to _Ketos_. Or (as i suspect) these may be variants of the same myth, and nobody knew or cared if _Ketos_ was generic or specific. Bonus trivia point – _Ketos_ is female, and was the mother of both the Gorgons and the Graeae (Called the “Stygian Witches” in the 1981 version – the weird eyeless beings Perseus steals the single shared eye from). ---
**Author:** ![BrotherCadfael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@BrotherCadfael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrotherCadfael)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2010, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clash-of-the-titans/521338/40 "2010-03-31T15:55:38Z")
> [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](#): > > Meanwhile, why can’t someone make a decent effort at adapting _The Epic of Gilgamesh_? I’d pay to see that! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clash-of-the-titans/521338.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clash-of-the-titans/521338.md?page=3)