The first reviews of: Christopher NolanThe much awaited epic ‘The Odyssey’ is here and they are creating a lot of buzz online. Amid much talk and controversy, critics and industry insiders described the film as a ‘monumental’ achievement from the filmmaker and also one of his ‘best achievements’.With the film all set to release on July 17, the team, led by Nolan, is promoting the film around the world in an elaborate press tour. The director and his ensemble cast on Monday stopped by London for the premiere of the film and will follow it with premieres in Paris, Mumbai, New York, Beijing and Seoul.After early screenings, social media was flooded with glowing reviews, with many hailing the adaptation of Homer’s epic as a cinematic triumph. Many early viewers were unanimous in their praise for Nolan’s ambitious vision, calling the film “monumental” and “flawless filmmaking.”An early reaction read, “THE ODYSSEY is huge. It’s Nolan acting on a singular, accelerated level. The incredible cast, practical effects and gigantic scale combine to create a spin on Homer’s epic that will blow people away. A stunning cinematic achievement, and a true masterpiece.”Another reviewer described the film as “a filmmaking feast,” writing, “THE ODYSSEY is a filmmaking feast.A separate reaction called the film “an absolute triumph,” saying, “THE ODYSSEY is great. Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey, called flawless filmmaking, is an absolute triumph and a crowning cinematic achievement from one of the great filmmakers of our time. Inspirational, daring, and perfection.”Others praised Nolan’s emotional storytelling along with the film’s ambitious scale. One reviewer wrote, “Christopher Nolan’s Odyssey is MONUMENTAL on so many levels. Yes, it actually tries to condense almost all of Homer into three hours. But it also confronts, with more heart than any Nolan film since Interstellar, his greatest muse…”One critic noted the film’s contemporary relevance, writing, “THE ODYSSEY is truly a remarkable film! Moving, beautiful, epic, but above all, truly resonant for our time and age. Nolan’s film really captures how timeless the story is and how worth revisiting; how powerful it is to be able to comment now.”
Christopher Nolan’s ‘The Odyssey’ opens to glowing reviews
Matt Damon: , Robert Pattinson and the ensemble cast received praise
While Nolan’s direction has dominated conversations, the film’s ensemble cast has also garnered widespread praise. Matt Damon, who played Odysseus, emerged as one of the biggest standouts. One reviewer wrote, “Matt Damon absolutely owns the role of Odysseus. You feel every loss, every mistake, and every triumph with him. Anne Hathaway is amazing as Penelope, and Tom Holland I was surprised in the best way. He’s proven that he can be more than Spider-Man.”Another reaction praised the emotional depth of the performances, saying, “Matt Damon’s screen command and Odysseus’ soulful gaze bring waves of great power to a larger-than-life and complex role. Man. The cast is big but the support from Robert Pattinson, Himesh Patel, Samantha Mortonand John Leguizamo really impressed me.”Robert Pattinson, in particular, became a fan favorite after the first screenings. “The cast is stacked, and somehow everyone still gets a chance to shine. Anne Hathaway is amazing, Matt Damon is great, and Tom Holland continues to prove that he can do anything. But Robert Pattinson absolutely stole the show for me. He is very conniving, manipulative and endlessly fun to watch. Pattinson leans right into the evilness of the character, and it results in one of my favorite performances of his. Behold, this is the must-see cinematic event of the summer—and possibly the year. I can’t wait to watch it again,” one viewer posted.Another called the performances “truly grand,” writing, “A triumphant, epic epic. The performances from Tom Holland, Matt Damon, Anne Hathaway, John Leguizamo, Robert Pattinson and Lupita Nyong’o are truly grand. And for some, truly, the best performances of their careers!”
Critics praised the IMAX visuals, score and shocking horror elements
Beyond the performances, reviewers also praised Nolan’s large-format filmmaking, saying his use of IMAX cameras heightened the experience. Early reactions also praised the film’s visual standards, storytelling, score and practical effects, with many critics calling The Odyssey a “modern masterpiece.”Some viewers were particularly surprised by the darker tone of the film. “What really surprised me was how he embraced the horror. Some of the biggest moments in the film are truly unsettling, adding a new dimension to his filmmaking while never losing sight of the humanity at the core of the story,” a reaction reads.Another reviewer highlighted the film’s appeal for mythology buffs, writing, “If you love Greek mythology, sword fights, monsters, gods, emotional stories, and movies that really make you think, this is everything you want.The technical craftsmanship also received unanimous praise. One reviewer wrote, “Cinematographer Hoyte van Hoytema shoots to perfection, and the crafts—costumes, sound, editing and Ludwig Göransson’s score—are incredibly artistry and deeply visceral.