“The Odyssey” is a story that one might trace back to a high school literature class, where the tedious abundant analyses may have taken the wonder out of the experience. It’s a thrilling tale of heroism, adventure, romance, and unadulterated action. From Odysseus outwitting a colossal Cyclops to devising the famed Trojan Horse plan, this film keeps viewers on the edge of their seats from start to finish.
If Christopher Nolan is known for one thing, it’s cinematography. Across his most celebrated films (“Interstellar”, “The Dark Knight”, “Inception”, etc.) Nolan’s cinematographical prowess shines like a supernova. In this way, “The Odyssey” is no exception; from rejecting CGI and constructing a 60-foot tall Cyclops puppet to utilizing genuine Viking long ships, Nolan refused to cut any corners in the filming of this movie. This is further exemplified by the use of seven extremely rare 15-perf 65mm/70mm IMAX film cameras, of which there are only eight or so in the whole world. Nolan’s commitment to making such a visually stunning film truly pays off, with Titas Chowdhury of CNN-News 18 stating, “It’s a masterclass in framing and portraying a spectacle-driven set piece. The scale and visual grandeur laced with tension and peril is, for the lack of a better word, captivating.” However, one would be remiss to omit praising the phenomenal sound design within the movie. Nolan does everything in his power to immerse his audience in the same environment as his characters; for example, he went through the hassle of obtaining an aulos (an Ancient Greek double-reeded wind instrument) to stay completely authentic to the Bronze Age setting. Through his procurement of such ancient instruments and his dismissal of modern, orchestral arrangements, Nolan transports viewers to a fantasy world where, for 3 hours, anything is possible.
This film is an objectively riveting work of art. Everyone involved, from Nolan himself, to the excellent leads Matt Damon and Anne Hathaway, to the most seemingly insignificant extra, this film would not be the masterpiece it is without the contributions of all of these amazing individuals; it is safe to say that Homer’s epic has been done justice.
