“The Odyssey” is a compelling tale of all the mythology from the Trojan war put together in one big poem but also is now a 2 hour and 52 minute movie. As someone who had heard of “The Odyssey” by Homer, a Greek poet, but knew absolutely nothing about the specifics, I was intrigued when it felt like all I could hear was my friends wanting to see “The Odyssey,” the movie. I’m not sure if it was the thrill of the movie that hooked them, or Tom Holland, I just know I was itching to see this movie. The director of the movie, Christopher Nolan, intended for the film to only be seen in 70 millimeter IMAX film. It’s a special type of movie theater screen that has higher resolution, making it clearer, and you can sit closer so you can see every single pore on Matt Damon.

For me, long winded and unrealistic films tend to bore me. It’s not just that, a movie that has intense conflict just gives me immense anxiety. I normally feel like I’m in the movie and then I become terrified for my life, like I’m in that cave, hiding from the real cyclops. But when I went to see The Odyssey, I sat there explaining every moment to my friends next to me, like they weren’t watching the same exact thing as me. I felt immersed. Each five times I’ve seen it. 

That damn Poseidon. 

The entire film, he’s just following Odysseus’ crew around, throwing around obstacles for them to attempt to overcome. When you think they’re safe, another thing just has to happen. One of which is the Scylla, a cliff monster. Looks like a normal cliff, but has long, moving rocks that grab things by the whirlpool and just had to devour six of their soldiers. 

According to Britannica, Poseidon is the Greek god of the sea, as well as earthquakes and horses. The meaning of his name is “husband of the earth” and/or “lord of the earth.” Most of Odysseus’ awful adventures occurred because of nature itself, so I mean it all does make sense (I only know this because of Google). Though everyone is supposed to be in power of the gods, they are all second to Zeus, even Poseidon himself. 

Maybe I’m a fan of this movie so much because the entire film revolves around Zeus’s law. These are basically the terms and conditions to life in “The Odyssey.” Though not everyone abides by these morals, they do end up getting bad karma so…  

The quick summary of Zeus’s law is that if there’s anyone needing food or shelter, you offer it to them. Not all beggars are beggars. You never know, they might end up being a god or your long lost guide who taught you how to fight, Eumaeus, played by John Leguizamo.  Eumaeus was the saddest little guy I saw the entire movie. He’s a blind, old man, with a kind heart. He gets pushed around by Antinous, who is just heinous, played by Robert Pattison. Antinous is hoping to become a suitor to Penelope, Odysseus’ wife, who is acted out by Anne Hathaway , since the town of Ithaca hasn’t had a ruler for over a decade due to the Trojan War.

I think if I had to aspire to be similar to anyone in this tale it would be Odysseus only because of his cleverness. The entire movie, I was thinking “wow I definitely wouldn’t have thought of that.” He just pulls unobtainable knowledge out of nowhere, the entire movie. There was a moment in the film where Cyclops, a one eyed baby appears (who is mildly uncomfortable to look at) but considering all of the odd creatures this isn’t the worst of them all. He is the son of Poseidon and Thoosa. In order to escape from his giant babies cave, they all dress up as the sheep that Cyclops takes care of. This managed to keep the majority of them alive, with six passing. 

Penelope and Odysseus raised their son, who is played by Tom Holland, Telemachus, so well. He’s like if there was a coming of age story, during a war. He seems to care about everyone, and is so intentional about his actions (there weren’t many, he was kinda lazy). I would say though, this wasn’t the best acting Tom has had before. Maybe it was the jitters from being in a huge movie, especially a movie produced by Christopher Nolan, so I’ll give him credit for that.

I could write about this movie for hours. Due to this incredible movie, I’ve decided to dive more into Greek mythology. Please if you have the chance, and when it gets on streaming services, go watch this movie. Make sure to skip the part of the movie where the men encounter a witch who does some pretty disturbing stuff to the crew. She turns them all into pigs, and it’s so disgusting to watch and did in fact give me nightmares for a few nights afterwards… But other than that this is a pretty good movie!