According to Variety, after an early press screening on the evening of 6/7 London time (morning of 7/7 Hanoi time), Christopher Nolan's film received positive feedback from British and American critics.
Joshua Rothkopf, film editor for the Los Angeles Times, described The Odyssey as visually stunning, blending realism with mythical elements. He noted the film balances emotion, humor, and the spirit of classic adventure-action films.
Critic Phil de Semlyen of Time Out wrote, "Believe the hype, The Odyssey truly deserves it." He opined that the film has a dense structure yet remains accessible to a mass audience. Meanwhile, Peter Bradshaw, a writer for the Guardian, described the work as an epic about post-war loss and trauma, where characters confront harsh realities instead of their initial ideals. Beyond focusing on the story's scale, Nolan endeavors to explore the psychological shifts of the characters.
Journalist Simon Thompson, a member of the Critics Choice Association, praised Matt Damon's performance as Odysseus, considering it a strong portrayal by the actor, depicting the character with bravery and confidence.
Robert Pattinson made his mark as the antagonist Antinous. Erik Davis of Fandango offered praise for the actor, noting his depiction of cunning, ambition, and manipulative ability. He also rated The Odyssey as one of Christopher Nolan's milestones, expecting the work to be discussed by fans for many years to come.
From an awards perspective, Anne Thompson from IndieWire stated the project has potential for Oscar contention, positioning it as a contender for the best picture category. Matt Damon is a contender for the best actor award, with many supporting actors also likely to receive nominations.
Despite positive feedback, David Ehrlich of IndieWire noted that the film's middle section felt somewhat cumbersome and disjointed. However, the ending compensates for these shortcomings, allowing the film to conclude well.
The film adapts Homer's epic of the same name, following Odysseus (Matt Damon) on his long journey home to Ithaca after the Trojan War to reunite with his wife Penelope (Anne Hathaway) and son Telemachus (Tom Holland). The cast also includes: Zendaya, Lupita Nyong'o, Charlize Theron, Elliot Page, Jon Bernthal, John Leguizamo, and other stars.
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A scene from "The Odyssey", starring Matt Damon. Photo: Universal Pictures |
The project is the first feature film shot entirely with IMAX cameras, with a budget of 250 million USD. In an interview with Time magazine, the director stated he wanted to fill a void in modern cinema, as no work had yet adapted Greek mythology on the scope of a Hollywood blockbuster. According to Nolan, instead of focusing on recreating gods, he aimed to bring a sense of realism to audiences, as if they were immersed in Odysseus's journey.
By Cat Tien (according to Variety, Deadline)
