Christopher Nolan's 'The Odyssey' is a cinematic masterpiece that has critics and fanboys alike in a frenzy. The film's early reactions are glowing, with superlatives flying from keyboards. The L.A. Times' Joshua Rothkopf calls it 'staggering', 'earthy', and 'weighty', with a touch of humor and grandeur. Time Out's Phil de Semlyen believes the hype, praising its density and accessibility, while the Guardian's Peter Bradshaw sees it as a 'colossal origin-myth story of postwar disillusion and a loss of innocence'.
The film's awards potential is already being discussed, with Indiewire's Anne Thompson suggesting that Matt Damon could win Best Actor, and a host of supporting actors could follow suit. However, David Erlich of Indiewire is more cautious, calling the film 'less despairing' than Nolan's previous work, 'Oppenheimer', but still 'too clunky to be S-tier Nolan'.
The film's domestic debut is projected to be between $80M-$100M, which could change if the early reactions hold up. The film's scope and scale are impressive, with Nolan weaving together the episodes of the story seamlessly. The performances are flawless, with special mention going to Matt Damon, Himesh Patel, Robert Pattinson, John Leguizamo, and Samantha Morton.
The film's interpretation of Greek mythology is 'electrifyingly uncanny', with the cyclops and Circe sequences being among the best of Nolan's career. The production design is 'incredible', and the film feels like the culmination of Nolan's work with IMAX. It's a 'monumental' achievement, a 'breathtaking', 'bold', and 'perfect' film that takes the audience on a 'journey' in the way only Nolan can.
However, some critics are more reserved in their praise. David Crow of DCrowsNest notes that the film 'crams so much' that it's 'scope outpaces even 70mm IMAX', but it's 'gorgeously outstretched'. The film's 'fantasy elements' and 'real Greek history' are also noted as being 'overly cautious' and 'curious', respectively.
Despite these minor reservations, 'The Odyssey' is a triumph for Nolan, a 'flawless' and 'epic' film that delivers on all fronts. It's a 'jaw-dropping' experience, especially in IMAX 70mm, and a 'crowning cinematic achievement' for one of the 'great filmmakers of our time'.
