Jason and The Argonauts Movie Review

I highly recommend this movie for those who are fans of Greek mythology. If you are a fan and you find an interest in Greek mythology I assure to you that you will love and find this movie very interesting. This movie is based from the famous story of the quest of the golden fleece. It composes of war, love and determination. You will never get bored when watching this movie because every scene is a much watch. When you watch this movie your imagination will be widen as well as your knowledge in Greek mythology.

The quest golden fleece revolves about the journey of Jason and the Argonauts in finding the golden fleece. In this movie it will show you how the golden fleece past through different persons before it goes to the hands of Jason and the Argonauts. But there is one problem in finding the golden fleece. The quest is not easy and impossible without the help from gods. So Hera who's in favor of Jason help them in their journey. As predicted Jason and the Argonauts succeeded in finding the golden fleece. The movie clearly catch the movie's theme which is mythology. From observing you can point out who's the gods and the characters.

The characters who portrays their designated roles are outstanding. They've shown how they must act their roles and they perfectly fits the roles. Like Jason London who portrays the role of Jason. He really show how a prince should act, speak, and gesture. He show how a noble should act and his looks is very charming, handsome and very classic which adds to fit his role. Brian Thompson who portray the role of Hercules did a great job. He shows how tough Hercules is and shows how Hercules should talk,walk and gesture. With his manly and toned body it helps him to portray his role perfectly.

The editing of the story is good. The cutting and splicing of the scenes are well organized. Like when the scene where Jason fights with an iron bull every angle of the bulls charging him was taken. And his reactions in charming the bull was all taken. Also I would like to praise the editing of the opening and closing of the rocks.Wherein Jason and his company goes between the crashing rocks. The scene looks like real and doesn't look edited.The sound effects been used in the movie are all suited to the concept of the scenes. This sound effects will help in enlightening the mood. Like when the mood is exciting, suspense and exciting suspenseful music is played in the background. And when the crowd is cheering they've used crowd cheering on the background to adds in making the scene more realistic. And lastly they played sad music in the background when one of the main characters died.

Making the scene more realistic and true the scene helps to captivate the attention of the viewers, but doing this is hard in the observant eyes of the viewers. The cinematography in this movie was amazing. Like when their is a fighting scene wherein the actors will stab each other for example. This scene isn't easy to do because in real life they cannot really do stabbing each other. So, with the help of the camera angles it will help to make the scene more realistic. By taking a good camera angle it will help to deceive the eyes of the viewers and to make it more realistic they add up artificial blood.

Above all, in watching this movie you will learn so much in Greek mythology. So, for those who finds an interest and are fan of Greek mythology must watch this movie because I can assure you that watching this film is worth watching for. Such as well for those who don't find an interest must watch because who might know by watching this movie will help you in gaining an interest in Mythology.

Jason and the Argonauts (2000) - A Movie Review

I recommend this movie for students who need educational reference about the famous tale from the Greek mythology:  The Quest of the Golden Fleece.  This movie is also suited for Greek mythology enthusiasts.  I do not recommend this movie for entertainment and leisure purposes because of its very long airing time of 180 minutes.

The story starts with Jason as a little boy who is the heir to the kingdom of Ancient Greece.  He witnesses the murder of his father at the hands of his heartless uncle, Pelias.  After narrowly escaping death, Jason flees his home and returns twenty years later to reclaim the throne.  Upon learning of his return, Pelias sentences him to death.  To save his life, Jason promises to deliver the most coveted gift of the gods - the Golden Fleece.  Joined by the Argonauts, a good-hearted crew of sailors, he embarks on a dangerous voyage to capture the Fleece and fulfil his destiny.

The essence of the story is all about facing your fears, being courageous in achieving your goals in life, fighting for what is rightfully yours and believing in yourself.  The movie also highlights the love between mother and child like Polymele and Jason especially when he tried to save the life of his mother.  It also gives us the importance of true friendship like what Hercules showed to Jason and the rest of the Argonauts, who did not leave Jason in times of trials.  This movie also shows how powerful love can be when one can fight for the one you love as Medea leaves their kingdom to be with Jason.

Jason London (Jason) – As the character Jason - He is handsome and his acting skills are excellent especially when he was tasked by King Aertes to calm the monster bull and the battle with the skeleton creatures.  I also like his acting in the end part of the story where he killed Pelias to claim what is rightfully his and to fulfil his destiny.  But I think actor Jason London is probably too young for a convincing character of Jason.  London at least plays the part with a handsome certainty, although is far too brooding to seem a convincingly heroic leader.  I believe he is still a good actor.  Jolene Blalock (Medea) – As the character Medea – She is made up and photographed with a ravishing beauty and her physical attributes brought life to the story.  The makeup artists and cinematographers made her appealing to the eyes of the audiences and even fall in love with her.   She has that “poise” every time even crossing the cliff and when Pelias tempted to kill her.  Her facial expression shows a strong woman who does not know how to be afraid even once in the story.  Dennis Hopper (King Pelias) – A good antagonist.  I hate his hair because it made him more disgusting.  He gave justice to his character because my reaction to him as an audience is that I hated him so much.  His style of hugging and stabbing is ridiculous.  He even killed his own good looking son just for his heart’s desire, the Golden Fleece.  I am glad Jason already knew his style and that Jason was fast enough to stab Pelias.  Brian Thompson (Hercules) – One of my favourite characters.  He is strong, mighty and has a kind heart.  His acting skills are convincing when he tried to push the Argo to the sea and when he took the tree to stop the soldiers from coming.  But his physical attribute is not that convincing because I think it is much better if Hercules is a giant man with a really big body.  Adrian Lester (Orpheus) – My expectation for Orpheus is a “heartthrob” material.  It is because I am familiar with the story of Orpheus and Eurydice that’s why I really have high expectation for the looks of Orpheus.  Overall, he gave justice to his character and his loneliness for the death of his wife which really touched my heart.  Olivia Williams (Hera) and Angus Macfadyen (Zeus) – Very regal and they really know how to act like Gods and Goddess but I think they are too young for their roles.  Hera doesn’t look like the queen of the Gods because of her physical characteristics.  Zeus also looked young and he should have white beard like Santa Claus instead of black.  The other Argonauts – The thief is also one of my favourites because he is funny although sometimes he didn’t trust Jason – their captain.  He had doubts when they lost the map but then easily gained his trust again.  The two Argonauts who became the companion of Jason to the Lemnos are really good in comedy as they gave bright side to the movie because of their “idiot” personality.

When Poseidon appeared in the sea, the sequencing is not clear and the sea is shallow for the ship to float.  I also didn’t like the disappearing of Poseidon it didn’t fit any conclusion because the camera just flipped to the direction of the ship.  I think it’s better if they show how Poseidon disappeared.  Poor editing when the big monster that looks like a dinosaur who I think guarded the Golden Fleece had eaten the two Argonauts who tried to get the Golden Fleece.  The effect is unrealistic because the Argonaut just disappeared and it’s not clear to the vision of the audience because that scene is really fast, fast as a wink of an eye.  Another poor editing is the scene when Medea met Zeus in her dreams.  Zeus kept on saying Medea’s name and he also kept on disappearing and appearing continuously even if it’s not necessary in the scene.  They should’ve removed it.  Simple and good editing when Hercules’s dead body disappeared in the arms of Jason.  Good editing when the side view face of Jason in the ship is sequenced with the side view face of Medea in Colchis.

I do not like the instrumental soundtrack of the movie.  In my own opinion, it does not fit in the movie because of its melody and when I listen to it, it triggers the emotion of sadness.  I would be better if the music is lively and has a bit of suspense tempo because the movie is all about adventure not sadness.  Good sound effect when the owner of maps gave the map for the Quest for the Golden Fleece to Jason.  I like the sound of Orpheus’ lyre.  It is impressive and pleasing to my ears.

I’d like to praise the scenes where Medea foresees the future of Jason and the Argonauts’ arrival to Colchis because of its good lighting that triggers the emotion of mystery and the angle of camera where they show the beauty of Medea.  The lighting in the temple with the devil monster should be dark for it to trigger the scary and creepy emotion.  I don’t like the colour of the heaven when Medea and Zeus met I would prefer it to be pure white not peach.