Sean Ackerman and his two daughters rate this blend of fantasy, action, and romance.
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Released on Ultra HD/Blu-ray 3d/Blu-ray/DVD and Digital platforms, an epic battle between rival gods Set and Horus brought a fun romp through ancient Egypt, and reminded me of a stew, where the ingredients added the old Ray Harryhausen stop-motion films (like Jason and the Argonauts and Sinbad films), the 1981 Clash of the Titans and modern portrayals of fantasy films (such as Lord of the Rings, and 300). I’m grateful to the folks at Click Communications for allowing me to watch this, with my daughters (both fans of Rick Riordan various book series).
Is it worth your time? Check out my feelings below the clip to find out.
The synopsis of Gods of Egypt:
The ultimate battle between good and evil threatens to destroy all creation in this epic fantasy-adventure bursting with spectacular action and amazing special effects. Gerard Butler and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau star as rival gods Set and Horus, who are locked in a war to rule the universe. To defeat the merciless Set, Horus joins forces with a brave mortal for a journey that will take them across Egypt, through the heavens, and into the afterlife in an unforgettable quest to save mankind.
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Gods of Egypt really stood out to me as a blend of so many different genre films, but in a way that touched the young boy inside of me, who used to watch with wonder at how fantasy creatures came to life on the screen. While I have heard criticism of “too much CGI”, I couldn’t help but think that a studio like Lionsgate has done an exemplary job with bringing what 10 or 20 years ago would have been an impossible film to the big (or small screen).
It was great to have my kids root for young love and boo the villainy of the selfish Set.
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While my daughters and I watched this, we all commented on how the blend of fantasy, action, and romance worked. The young love between Bek ( Brenton Thwaite) sand Zaya (Courtney Eaton) and Bek’s relationship with Horus were real character standouts. It was great to have my kids root for young love and boo the villainy of the selfish Set.
Myself being a 300 fan, (I kept waiting for Gerard Butler’s character Set to yell “Sparta”), I thought that the expansive scenes of massive armies and battles were well choreographed and shot. The CGI effects, while perhaps not as perfected as you would see in a major studio, worked well and carried the story forward without breaking the momentum of the action.
Is it a perfect film? Well it depends on who you ask, if it’s the 8-year-old within you that enjoyed a good fantasy film, and you want to share that experience with a younger generation, I would say yes.
Gods of Egypt releases on DVD and Blu-ray on May 31, 2016
Recreating Egypt
Gerard Butler as Set
BLU-RAY/ DIGITAL HD SPECIAL FEATURES*
- Deleted Storyboards
- “A Divine Vision: Creating a Cinematic Action Fantasy” Featurette
- “Of Gods and Mortals: The Cast” Featurette
- “Transformation: Costume, Make-up & Hair” Featurette
- “On Location: Shooting in Australia” Featurette
- “The Battle for Eternity: Stunts” Featurette
- “A Window into Another World: Visual Effects” Featurette
DVD SPECIAL FEATURES*
- “The Battle for Eternity: Stunts” Featurette
- “A Window into Another World: Visual Effects” Featurette
Photo: YouTube/Lionsgate Unlocked
I was a little surprised that this site, which is usually very racially sensitive, posted this article without mentioning the casting controversy, which was a huge deal when the film was released. Although the film may be fun (I haven’t seen it), some of the nostalgia may come from remembering the old films where no people of colour were cast in Hollywood epic films about Egypt or the Middle East, etc. It’s a shame that a film named “Gods of Egypt” has no actual Egyptians playing their own Gods. Here’s an article from CNN: http://www.cnn.com/2015/11/28/entertainment/gods-of-egypt-cast-apology-feat/index.html
Thank you Faisal for the article. I was unaware of the controversy and though it was an enjoyable film. You are correct though that the early Hollywood memories of my youth lacked diversity.