The Odyssey

Considering the source material dates back more than 2,700 years, the new big-screen reimagining of The Odyssey maintains a vibrancy and excitement that feels timeless.

Overflowing with intellectual ambition and visual grandeur, this sweeping epic from director Christopher Nolan is a vivid and immersive adventure that translates the mythology of Homer’s ancient Greek poem into a combination of dazzling wartime set pieces and character-driven introspection about family and identity.

The spectacle generally outshines the substance, although the uneven screenplay gains emotional traction in its thrilling final hour, as it examines the aftermath of war from the existential perspective of a wounded warrior seeking to reclaim his home and sense of purpose.

Ithaca is in shambles since its king, Odysseus (Matt Damon) left to fight in the Trojan War years ago but never returned. Is he still alive? His wife and queen, Penelope (Anne Hathaway), thinks so, which is why she hasn’t remarried despite daily overtures from power-hungry suitors including the duplicitous Antinous (Robert Pattinson).

After being trained by a wise servant (John Leguizamo), their son, Prince Telemachus (Tom Holland) heads out to discover the truth about his father, traveling to Troy to meet with a Spartan king (Jon Bernthal) and his wife (Lupita Nyong’o), whose loyalties are unclear.

Meanwhile, we learn of Odysseus’ whereabouts through flashbacks, which detail harrowing encounters between his dwindling army and god-like adversaries such as a Cyclops, alluring sirens, and vengeful Poseidon.

Currently trapped on a deserted island by the nymph Calypso (Charlize Theron), he harbors an escape plan for regaining his throne and restoring his kingdom.

Incorporating practical effects, Nolan and cinematographer Hoyte van Hoytema (Oppenheimer) capture vast and imposing landscapes with stylish flourishes and meticulous detail.

Some of Nolan’s creative liberties, such as casting diversity and anachronistic dialogue, neither enhance nor detract. Yet spiritually and thematically it’s a faithful adaptation that never drags, despite the occasional lack of depth in the filmmaker’s nonlinear yet multilayered script.

Damon’s nuanced portrayal conveys the resilience, regret, and vulnerability of a lost soul instead of turning Odysseus into an invincible gladiator. Of course, the supporting cast is stellar, highlighted by memorable turns from Holland, Leguizamo, Theron, and others.

Both expansive and intimate, The Odyssey reshapes the legendary story for contemporary tastes, turning it into a confident and thoughtful historical fantasy on a grand scale, anchored by a hero whose motives still powerfully resonate.

Rated PG-13, 172 minutes.