A new trailer was released recently for the upcoming 2010 remake of the 1981 movie, Clash of the Titans. The trailer revealed the new Kraken, Medusa, Pegasus, and various familiar characters. As a fan of the original version, I have approached the news of the new film with a bit of skepticism. True, compared to the technical wizardry of special effects these days, the 80’s version, with Ray Harryhausen’s classic stop-motion animation, look rather dated. Nevertheless, one can’t deny the creativity, the personality of movement, the charm, and the amazing designs of his work. To be frank, while there was plot, the movie was really about stirring the imagination with creature effects at the time. The new one uses tons of CG, looks flashy and modern, with bits from 300, Lord of the Rings, Troy and Pan's Labyrinth thrown in. With that said, here are some visual comparisons (with a comparison score) along with my thoughts on the two versions (at least from what I could take away from the trailer) based on each creature design and general look of the characters. These are personal opinions, so if you disagree feel free to comment below. For each of the following photos, the 80's version is on the left and the remake is on the right.
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MGM/UA, Warner Bros.
Giant Scorpion: The new giant scorpion looks pretty good on the new trailer. It's perhaps the one creature that most resembles the original's...but of course, that's how scorpions normally look like. One problem I had with the trailer was the fact that Perseus didn't seem to suffer too greatly (or bleed) when the scorpion had him in his pincers. In the original, Perseus was smart enough to avoid getting caught in its pincers altogether--perhaps partly because of the limits of SFX at the time, but it also made the scorpion seem more dangerous. Still, the new version feels like a proper upgrade. Point goes to: The New Version.
MGM/UA, Warner Bros.
Andromeda: Alexa Davalos' new Andromeda certainly comes off more of a tough girl than Judi Bowker's softer, more feminine Andromeda. Of course, who can blame Bowker's Andromeda for feeling helpless? She had a lot of problems on her hands, with two stalkers after her (one being her disfigured ex-boyfriend Calibos and the other, Perseus, who likes to watch her sleep while invisible). What's a girl to do? Point goes to: It's a Tie.
MGM/UA, Warner Bros.
Zeus: Lawrence Olivier's Zeus looks and acts like how one would expect Zeus to look and act like. As for Liam Neesan, he certainly plays the father-type characters quite well, but he looks like he just came from the set of Braveheart or Excalibur --what's with the duds and the unkept beard? Point goes to: The 80's Version.
MGM/UA, Warner Bros.
The Stygian witches: There are three blind ladies who give hints to Perseus in how to defeat the Kraken. The only way they could see is through an "eye" (a crystal ball) that they must take turns in looking though. The older version certainly looked like witches, complete with boiling cauldrons and cackles. The new version is more design-ish--they look like they just came from Pan's Labyrinth, Silent Hill or Aliens. More witch, less monster, please. Point goes to: The 80's Version
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MGM/UA, Warner Bros.
Perseus: The main character, Perseus, played by Harry Hamlin, admittedly came off kind of like a pretty boy--however, the way he handled himself against Medusa became one of the best monster-beheading scenes in movie history. Sam Worthington's Perseus seem more gritty and more of a tough guy, which is good. However, the buzzcut, the speech, the look--he looks just way too modern. Point goes to: It's a Tie.
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MGM/UA, Warner Bros.
Pegasus: The 80's version of Pegasus had a lot of personality, but then again so did all the creatures that Harryhausen animated. It looks like the new Pegasus is a black horse. I can understand going for the darker, gritty look, but it looks kind of odd--the earlier version somehow came off looking more majestic, maybe because it galloped when it flew. Point goes to: The 80's Version.
MGM/UA, Warner Bros.
Medusa: Harryhausen took an iconic creature, Medusa, and turned it into a movie icon. As movie monsters go, his creation is arguably among the best. Few animated creatures ever brought so much menace, mystery, or edge-of-your-seat suspense to a film. If there's one thing the new version has to work to prove itself, it would have to be the design and handling of Medusa. Unfortunately, from what we can see from the trailer, she looks more like a man. Is this supposed to be the creature that was so horrible to behold that looking at her would turn a person into stone? What's going on?? Point goes to: The 80's Version.
MGM/UA, Warner Bros.
Kraken: The trailer finally revealed the Kraken at the end, and I must say I was quite impressed. If there was one creature that could have been improved in the 80's version, it probably would've been the Kraken--it just didn't look enough like a sea-creature, and a little too humanoid. True, the new version reminds me of a turtle, but it's well-designed, it has a sense of scale, and I love the teeth. Point goes to: The New Version.
Final Comparison Score: 80's Version (6 points) vs. Remake (4 points). With the 80's version getting the 6-4 edge over the new one on the comparison score (from what I could tell from the trailer), it's hard for me to get very excited about the new Clash of the Titans. Nevertheless, it still looks to be an action-packed movie, and it's not so bad to be just adequately entertaining. Of course, I won't know until I see it.
MGM/UA, Warner Bros.
(I wonder if anyone like Calibos figure into the new story? Anyone know? The guy on the right looks a lot like him...)
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Comments
Much problems with the Medusa..much problems.
Release the Kraken!
They should have left well enough alone. This new version is not needed. It looks like a mash up of LOTR and 300. Gone are the beautiful settings that were in the original and all of the intersting characters (real and otherwise). It looks like the entire movie was shot infront of a blue screen and CGI was used to add EVERYTHING else.
Leaving well enough alone is not the Hollywood way. ;) Should've been renamed Cash of the Titans. Hehe
anyone else think the Medusa is kinda hot?
No.
I know it doesn't really have anything to do with whats this page is about, but why the hell is there even a Kraken in this story? In the original Greek mythological story there was a sea monster, but it wasn't a Kraken. The Kraken is from Norse mythology and is basically a giant octopus.
Yup, strangely, I don't think the new film corrects that mistake either... or if it does, I'll have to give it some credit.
Pegasus does gallope in the new film aswell. Watch trailer 2, 1:55-1:60 and you'll see the horse's legs making the normal strides it would as if it was on the ground.
totally agree
old (10 points), new(3 points)
liam don't look zeus
new witch is similar to monster of lord of the rings
new kraken is similar to cloverfield
only new meduse is cool
Medusa is cool? Surely, you don't mean the new one.
of course
original medusa is better
I take when you say "original" you mean... actually, I don't get it.
In the trailer, that's not the score. It's a song by The Used but just changed into an instrumental version of it. There doesn't seem to be much of a score yet from what it seems and they're just using that for now.
I think by "score" the article's not talking about musical score.
I wonder if Bubo will make an appearance in the remake.
May I point out that Zeus was portrayed in Greek myth as a middle-aged man with LONG, dark hair and a dark beard?
It was the Roman men who kept their hair short, and gave us the image of Jupiter as a fatherly, paternal sort (which actually influenced later Christian renderings of God, but that's a different topic altogether).
What's the terminator Marcus doing in Clash of the Titans? Or is that the Na'vi Avatar? Seriously, does Sam Worthington ever change his hair style?
Didn't you know? Sam Worthington used a time machine to go back in time in Greece to save great great great great grandfather of John Connor...thus the hair! The problem I had with Avatar was it was much more harder to believe you can have your own Avatar than travel billions to another planet to get some unknown element. If you had the power to become anybody, why not use that power to become Bill Gates for a day and forget about whatever that element they were looking for.
And where is bubo the owl that's all I'm saying
Now, Bubo the owl would do quite well on CG.
Hey, nice pic selection. Great work.
wow wait till you see the movie guys commenting about something that hasent been released is a recipie for eat your words it looks awesome i cant wait and i dont agree. the wich looks better the horse looks better medusa looks way better that stop motion nonesense from the old move wasnt horrific the new one is super snake like and cmon its liam ..........nuff said
New movie just look better.
You can't get the "feeling" of a monster from a picture or even a trailer, wait to watch the full movie before?
You are obviously biased.
>New movie just look better.
>You can't get the "feeling" of a monster from a picture or even >a trailer, wait to watch the full movie before?
Aren't you self-refuting yourself by even saying it looks better if you haven't seen the whole movie?
one thing to point out, the new medusa changes as she is turning someone to stone. she changes to something so horrific that it cannot easily be described in words, it is far scarier than the original. so in the end it is a tie.
Dude, how can you judge 2 films without seeing them both? The only thing I could maybe agree with you on is the Liam thing but, com on.
If you haven't checked your calendar because you spend too much time playing "2 fisted solitare" to Jenna Jameson images on your computer (because you are too nerdy to get a REAL GIRL) this is 2010, that other version was made years ago.
For you to give it a lower rating at face value compared to the original, basically means you either are blind or just an idiot.
Pick your BONG back up and go play Donkey Kong for the rest of the week or do something else constructive like compare Obama to Washington.
LAME
First, some of you guys need to take a chill pill.
Second, for people who say the new one is better need to see the new one first to even say that... and will probably be disappointed b/c the new director makes his films like a music video like Michael Bay. A music video version of a Greek tale we really don't need.
Thirdly, design-wise, the old one's better. Strictly design-wise. I'm ain't talking animation here.
i agree with MRX on the stupid cloverfield/Kraken thing ...
Totally in agreement with the author's insightful assessments....especially in regard to Perseus's brushcut....prefer Hamlin's longer locks much better....which is not unlike my similar disappointment w/Crowe's brushcut in the upcoming Robin Hood....to furthur illustrate, weren't Antonio Bandera's characters more edgy & debonair when they sported longer hair in his earlier films like 'El Mariachi' & 'Assassins'?
I love the original Kraken. The new one looks like the Rancor from return of the Jedi. I would have loved to see a CG version of the harryhausen kraken in this remake. Saying the new one is better is like saying the 1998 Godzilla looks better than the original Godzilla. Just like all other remakes (king kong 70s, Godzilla, planet of the apes, king kong 05, Dracula, Frankenstein, wolfman, dawn of the dead... List goes on) this will come out and have it's hour, but when the smoke clears, only the original will remain valuable.
Kingfrak: Rancor, eh? I dunno about Rancor resembling a sea ceature of any sort. Although, it can look a bit like a lobster if looked in a funny way... I pretty much agree with you on all other aspects. The reason is because they're classics, the real deal. That moment where originality was first formed. The rest are mere copies and retreads, even if people may think they look better. Even the filmmakers will admit to that...unlike some of the silly fanboys who care little of originality. If someone were to remake Star Wars, even if Lucas adds little CG creatures to it, or Greedo shoots first, there's a reason why people would be in an oproar.
im a huge fan of original. was just talikin about how they need to remake this movie because its a classic. no matter how good or bad new version is, origanal will be an honored classic. lets all just hope, if your titan fans, this remake will be just as awsome as the origanal using todays technology. as far as judging it before you see it, sit back and wait to see for yourself before u say anything.
Bryan: Eh? Are you indicating that you know this to be true, or did you hear this from someone else? Your "imagined" Medusa being "far scarier" will certainly be scarier than what's been shown just based on the fact that it's up to the imagination. That doesn't tell me anything about whether it actually does look better. I can say anything is the freakiest thing ever that I've never seen and that doesn't prove anything.
You can call Harry Hamlin a 'pretty boy' but compare him and Sam Worthington to the ancient Greek statues and ask who looks more like their version of a hero. Harry Hamlin wins.
I wonder if a remake of Jason and the Argonauts is on the cards?
Nettah: If they do make it I just hope they won't get this director to do it. Heck, make Peter Jackson do it! Jason and the Argonauts was an underrated gem, actually.
The Kraken is Viking mythology not Greek mythology.
they made the same mistake in the original too.
I totally agree with conclusions of Win.
Except for a tie between two Andromedas, because you can not compare anorexic and ugly looking Alexa Davalos with gorgeous women with a curves like Judi Bowker.
Now, now....Alexa Davalos isn't ugly... although.... she still was in that stinker, Chronicles of Riddick. Judy Bowker is indeed VERY female. 8) I miss those types.
cause i am Greek please tell me what exactly is the kraken cause ive never heard of it and the name isnt Ancient Greek for sure.Thats what annoys me with hollywood,the mix everything.
The corporatist, all-american new version will cetainly follow the totally un-challenging formula that they know will draw a cowed and apathetic consumer market. The MTV score that played with the trailer should be enough for all of you to see that this movie is aimed at an un-sophisticated market that is a sure thing to buy tickets to whatever the latest CG bonanza is. The magic of the original will be nowhere to be found, this has almost become a hollywood guarentee. I hate to sound harsh, but until we start expecting more from Hollywood, they will continue to give us smoke and mirrors instead of films. I loved the original, it provoked me to become a student of Greek mythology....when opening weekend arrives for this new money-grab, i'll curl up with a copy of the Odyssey, or go see that French movie A Prophet.
You cant make clash of the the titans without stop motion. This remake looks like the biggest piece of crap. Im sure the sheeple will love it. YAY!
How can soo many talk soo indepth about comparisons TO A FRIGGEN TRAILER?!?!. Christ on a bike, wait for the film to come out. Pathetic!
Anybody seen the new clips that came out about the mew movie? Medusa has a friggin stinger AND a rattle! What the???!!!!! Are they serious???
Win, I really couldn't make it through your article.
Reason? OK, to take just one example:
"To be frank, while there was plot, the movie was really about stirring the imagination with creature effects at the time. "
See, I don't understand your text - this is a rather incoherent attempt at a sentence, you know.
Sid -
the Kraken is a legendary sea monster, the subject of a splendidly evocative poem by Tennyson. It's a creature of enormous size, described in ambiguous terms, suggestive of a primal power sleeping beneath the waves in "the abysmal deep". It was incorporated into the original movie as a sort of 'ultimate monster', envisaged by genius animator Ray Harryhausen as a composite, gigantic creature incorporating elements of his beautiful Giant Ymir (from '20 Million Miles to Earth') & somewhat octopid limbs (reminiscent of his giant octopus in 'It Came from Beneath the Sea') and other of his creations including the tentacular shelled octopod in 'Mysterious Island' & the segmented body of the hydra in 'Jason & the Argonauts'. It was one of Harryhausen's masterpieces. You're right, it's not Greek, it's a monster from Scandanavian mythology. From wikipedia: "Kraken...the definite article form of krake, a Scandinavian word designating an unhealthy animal...something twisted."
"Anybody seen the new clips that came out about the mew movie? Medusa has a friggin stinger AND a rattle! What the???!!!!! Are they serious???"
Dude, Medusa had a rattle in the original movie. Oi.
Ponyboy, yes, the first Clash's Medusa had a rattle. I don't have a problem with having a rattle OR a stinger. Having both? Now, that's ridiculous as having feathers on batwings. (From Wikipedia: The rattle is composed of a series of nested, hollow beads which are actually modified scales from the tail tip. Each time the snake sheds its skin, a new rattle segment is added.) There's a good reason why a snake doesn't have a stinger! Impossibility isn't the problem, but it only annoys me because it shows how lazy the filmmakers are.
i have seen the new medusa's true face and i am still having nightmares. i am not easily scared at all. the last thing to scare me was a freaky toy dog i had as a toddler
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