'The Odyssey' Received High Scores From Critics & Viewers: Did Nolan Manage to Adapt the Classic Work?

Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey has finally been released – the first movie ever shot entirely with IMAX cameras.

The film has become one of the year's major cinematic events, receiving high praise from both critics and viewers. Nolan, who has said he has wanted to adapt Homer's epic poem for the screen since childhood, has finally realized his dream.

But did he succeed in capturing the grandeur of the ancient epic and conveying its depth, or did the movie simply remain a grand spectacle? Here's how the adaptation turned out.

What Is 'The Odyssey' About?

The Trojan War has ended. Odysseus, the king of Ithaca, sets out for home with his warriors. Along the way, he encounters the Cyclops, giants, the treacherous sorceress Circe, and the Sirens. He navigates between Scylla and Charybdis and even descends into the Underworld.

At the end of his journey, Calypso, a nymph, will hold him captive for a long time. Back in Ithaca, the throne lies vacant. His faithful wife, Penelope, refuses numerous suitors while his son, Telemachus, sets out in search of his father.

'The Odyssey' Thrives on Sheer Scale, Impeccable Technical Execution, and a Stellar Cast

The Odyssey is primarily impressive for its technical perfection – IMAX cameras create incredible depth within the frame, and the cinematography deserves special praise.

Matt Damon convincingly portrays Odysseus as a complex character: a talented commander who is cunning and prudent yet vulnerable and doubting. Anne Hathaway brings the necessary emotional depth to her role as Penelope, and Tom Holland adds youthful enthusiasm as Telemachus.

The movie successfully modernizes the ancient text, revealing that war is not a heroic feat but an incurable trauma. The Zeus' Law, one of the cardinal rules of the ancient world, which Odysseus violates, becomes the central topic of the film.

Nolan Dives Too Far Into Academicism, Losing Much of the Original Story's Mysticism

However, despite its technical grandeur, The Odyssey sometimes gets lost in the original text – the director follows Homer too reverently and sometimes finds himself at the mercy of the text.

The main misstep lies in the portrayal of the gods: Nolan wanted to portray them rationally, yet the inconsistency – Zendaya, as Athena, constantly converses with the main character – raises questions.

While the movie is impressive as a spectacle, it doesn't always convey a sense of connection to the myth – the pathos that reveals the cosmic scale of human history is lacking. Furthermore, The Odyssey often loses its rhythm, sagging between adventures and episodes in Ithaca.

The movie's form approaches absolute perfection, but it doesn't reach the pinnacle of the director's creative work. Nevertheless, The Odyssey is a great, relevant film, worth seeing in theaters.

What Did Critics & Viewers Think of 'The Odyssey'?

• The Odyssey has 95% from critics and 97% from viewers on Rotten Tomatoes.

• On IMDb, the movie has a score of 8.4/10.

• On Letterboxd, The Odyssey scored 4.3/5.0.

Where to Watch 'The Odyssey'?

The Odyssey is currently playing in theaters.