Saturday, June 21, 2008

Dark Ages

Author(s): Iñaki
Location: Spain

"Dark Ages"



Directed by Peter Jackson
Written by Fran Walsh
Music by John Williams
Costumes by Richard Taylor
Editing by Thelma Schoonmaker
Art direction by Grant Major
Make-up by Richard Taylor

Drama / Adventure

Main Cast

Cate Blanchett (Aphrodite)
Christian Bale (Apollo)
Meryl Streep (Hera)
Michael Gambon (Zeus)
Ralph Fiennes (Poseidon)
Vince Vaughn (Dionysus)
Abbie Cornish (Artemis)
Natasha Whightman (Athena)
Eddie Jemison (Hermes)
Casey Affleck (Ares)
Marton Csokas (Hades)
Bruce Willis (Titan's voice)

Tagline: "What you thought was correct might be the worst choice you have ever made"

Synopsis: 897 B.C.- Greece was suffering from the wrath of Hades, the god of hell, who had sent the titans to mount Olympus. What Hades desires most is the great power of Zeus, but he needs the help of some other gods to fulfill his wish. He believes that if he get the power of Aphrodite, the goddess of love, she could fool Ares, the god of war, with her beauty and make him help achieve Hades’ goals. While Hades was pondering about it, the war in Mount Olympus was becoming worse. The titans had already entered in the sacred area and some lesser gods had perished. Hermes, the messenger, was captured and Athena, the wisdom goddess, was fighting with the ice titan who had taken her capture. Everyone in the Mount Olympus was fighting with the titans except Aphrodite and Ares. They had a hidden relationship because Aphrodite’s mother, Hera, didn't want her to fall in love because of the impact it could have on her. When the titans ate the principal door of the mount Olympus, all gods realize that they only could kill them with the strength of the earth so they began to summon their powers to put an end to the Titans. The power of the sea, the strength of plants, the confusing power of love came together and beat the titans. But the problem didn't finish there.

Hades still preferred to continue with his plan so one night he met Aphrodite in Athens' temple. He tried to convince her about his plan so he made a cursed speech that changed her point of view about the Olympians. She accepted to help him and she returned to Mount Olympus to persuade Ares to kill Zeus. Ares was confuse about the plan but Aphrodite's grace swayed him easily. While they where talking, Hera was listening. When they finish, she surprised Aphrodite. They discussed about the betrayal and Hera realized Aphrodite was cursed so she decided to imprison her to stop the plan, but it was too late. Ares, with his army, and Hades with hell's devils were going to attack Mount Olympus. All gods, who were not recovered, had many difficulties to fight with that great army. Then, Athena decided to ask the Greek for help in exchange of wisdom and prosperity. They helped her to fight against the enemy. While that took place, Hera was making a brew to put and end to the curse upon Aphrodite. When she recover her, Hera explained the situation and realized that she was the only one who could convince Ares to finish the attack to the mount Olympus. When she appeared in the sacred area, Ares look at her, and she decided to kiss him because it was the only solution to the problem. Finally, Ares army attack Hades with the support of the Olympians and the fear ended with the defeat of Hades. After the war, Aphrodite realized that she couldn't fall in love with anybody because it could provoke serious problems to the stability of the world. Finally she decided to turn into a mortal woman because it was the only way to prevent future wars.

What the Press would say:

"Not just another adventures film". The press loves this film because it recreates to perfection what the greek population thought Mount Olympus was, with its problems and the environment. The casting in this tremendous film is great. Each actor achieves a great performance with the characteristics of their god/goddess. Cate Blanchett's leading performance is memorable, her beauty and sensuality make her the best option to be Aphrodite, the love goddess who desires to win the heart of Ares. Casey Affleck delivers a great leading performance as Ares perfectly depicting his strength and wrath, but also with his great heart when he is in the presence of Aphrodite. The change of humor makes his character mysterious and interesting because you don't really know what is he going to do. Also, we have to complement the great supporting performances which make the story more intriguing and without them we couldn't understand the plot. They are the other gods of Mount Olympus: Athena, Hera, Zeus, Poseidon, and Dionysus. Meryl Streep's performance is one of the most fascinating performances. She marvelously portrays the strength of a goddess along with the weakness of a mother. Her elegant movement through Aphrodite and Ares relationship has to be emphasized.

We can’t forget Natasha Whigthman's supporting performance as Athena. She is a sensational new actress who fills the role of Athena perfectly with her youth and her strong attitude. Her call to arms to the Greek population is her most memorable intervention in the film. Furthermore, the angry Ralph Fiennes fill the Poseidon character with an iron fist for the funny Vince Vaughn make us laugh with her performance as Dionysus, the drunk god. Furthermore, the environment, the buildings, costumes, make-up and visual effects are great and they make the film more real and fascinating.

Categories

Best Picture
Best Director: Peter Jackson
Best Original Screenplay: Fran Walsh
Best Original Score: john Williams
Best Actress: Cate Blanchett
Best actor: Casey Affleck
Best Supporting Actress: Natasha Whightman
Best Supporting Actress: Meryl Streep
Best Make-up
Best Costumes
Best Art Direction
Best Visual Effects
Best Sound
Best Cinematography
Best Film-Editing
Best Score


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