A lovely film deserves to be well-beloved by the generations yet to come.

…

Now be warned, THE ODYSSEY (Nolan) has sheep in it, it is NOT a Daddy/Daughter sort of film if your children are under … oh, let’s say thirty? It’s quite a lot of movie, even on a mere big screen rather than IMAX.

It’s extremely well put-together and worth watching (It really does scratch the Classic Mythology itch in a way that hasn’t really been satisfied for a long time), so one can recommend it, but as a work of art and not fun for all the family.

My own hope is that it triggers enough of a Classical Myth kick that well finally get that ‘Theseus and the Minotaur as Bronze Age Bond movie’ I’ve been hoping for ever since the parallels between two legendary ladykiller with a knack for demolishing nigh-Supernatural strongmen first occurred to me.

Yeah it’s tough to balance an ensemble (really, two ensembles, human and animal) in a feature film.

Strong connection to that Acts verse for sure. Would be curious how much it echoes any of the explicit sheep/shepherd verses.

Thanks for reading and for the kind words Mitch!

I think among intensive movie watchers I’ve seen slightly more “good not great” takes than raves, though some people really love it. I’ll also caveat that my context of seeing it with my kids who adored it probably boosted it some. But it’s good, and I like it a lot! (Have not seen Peter Rabbit either.)

Oh yeah, ditto to what Mitch said viz. the review title!

“talking animals are funny, a murder has shaken this small town, is there a God” A+ film crit ravings

“Any story involving shepherds and flocks is going to accumulate religious undertones whether it wants them or not” here here.

I feel like an ensemble piece does well to develop 2-3 core voices and then let the rest succeed as “well-voiced and memorably introduced and then largely left to mill around.”

“…watching a flock of sheep slowly bumble their way toward truth, not unlike the human race” a beautiful finish that reminded me of Acts 17:27, “that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us…”

Great review top to bottom. So glad you liked this one.