Although it’s a brisk and flawed 99 minutes, most blockbuster-seeking audiences will feel fulfilled with Wrath of the Titans.

The sequel to the mediocre 2010 remake of the treasured Clash of the Titans, actually improves on just about every level. Epic action sequences showcasing the power of the gods to mythological creatures ruthlessly attacking mankind is choreographed seamlessly via top-notch CGI. And more importantly, the lens captures everything in a comfortable manner for the viewer to take in.

Now while the delivery, or articulation, of the story is barely passable, you’ll at least understand what is going on and why characters are doing what they do. But perhaps it is a bit too chatty in the first-half. It would have been nice, and definitely more emotional, if the filmmakers extended this by 15-20 minutes in order to project a more engaging storyline through the dialogue; because unless Liam Neeson (Zeus) and/or Ralph Fiennes (Hades) – who have extended roles in this installment – are talking, the dialogue streamed through a mumbling Sam Worthington (reprising the Perseus character) and out-of-place Rosamund Pike (Andromeda) comes across very “rough draft” like.

In addition to giving the god characters more things to do in this piece – mainly through a brooding Edgar Ramirez (the god of war, Ares) – this script does inject subtle amounts of comedy through another demi-god in Toby Kebbell (son of Poseidon). Kebbell brings a charming “Captain Jack Sparrow” like presence that although used sparingly, balances out the tone of this fantasy/action saga. Playing along nicely with those elements are the massive set pieces – mainly CGI – that provide that escapism feeling. In Clash of the Titans, the atmosphere seemed too cardboard and uniform. This time around, every encounter the small contingent of humans and/or demi-gods come face-to-face with, feels as if one is entering a new realm of sorts; and these said realms portray an attitude of something between The Chronicles of Narnia and Lord of the Rings trilogies.

Since this story follows both the human and gods’ perspective, multiple environments are explored and each viewpoint if you will includes a steady dose of unique action. But again, as stated, there is some crappy storytelling still taking place within the dialoge.

Without giving too much away, the gist of the plot is preventing the resurrection of the gods’ father/creator, Kronos. The monstrous Titan has been held captive by Zeus, Hades, and Poseidon. However, the world has stopped praying to the gods, and because of this act, they begin to lose their powers and can no longer keep their angry daddy – who is about the size of a mountain – contained. So it falls on Perseus, now a father himself, to rekindle his raging spirit to assist the gods in taking down a nemesis that will devour all the lands.

For all the fanboys, and girls, out there…this fantasy tale delivers the goods with regards to the climatic ending battle. Remember how a couple of the X-Men sequels kind of took away the focus of displaying the respective characters superpowers? Or how in Lord of the Rings, we all kind of wanted to see what would happen if Sauron actually came to life and battled it out with the fellowship? Well, this is your wet-dream scenario. It’s not perfect experience, but it is very generous one that should please you.

Overall, Wrath of the Titans trumps the remake of Clash of the Titans. Though the script fails to capture and project the richness of the storyline, the supporting players along with just enough eye-gasmic action sequences – which benefit from the scope of the 3D gimmick – answer your movie-going prayers for a sequel production that does not go all to hell.

RATING: 3.5 out of 5

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The official UK trailer for Wrath of the Titans has appeared online and, just like the title suggests, it’s full of mythological Greek monster and raging Titans. The action looks more intense compared to the first film, but whether the second outing is an improvement overall remains to be seen.

Watch the below:

A decade after defeating the Kraken, Perseus (Sam Worthington) cannot ignore his true calling when Hades (Ralph Fiennes), along with Zeus’ godly son, Ares (Edgar Ramírez), switch loyalty and make a deal with Kronos to capture Zeus (Liam Neeson). The Titans’ strength grows stronger as Zeus’ remaining godly powers are siphoned, and hell is unleashed on earth.

Enlisting the help of the warrior Queen Andromeda (Rosamund Pike), Poseidon’s demigod son, Argenor (Toby Kebbell), and fallen god Hephaestus (Bill Nighy), Perseus bravely embarks on a treacherous quest into the underworld to rescue Zeus, overthrow the Titans and save mankind.

Jonathan Liebesman (Battle: Los Angeles) directs, and the movie will be released March 30th.

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Another big trailer debut today, this time for Wrath of the Titans. With the sequel set for release in just over three months on March 30, 2012 i’ve been wondering when Warner Bros. would start the promotional run, but it starts now.

While technically a teaser this trailer is big on special effects and money-shots, and with The Kraken being a challenge for Perseus in Clash of the Titans they’ve gone all out with the Titans in this one. Also, Sam Worthington has hair.

Watch below:

A decade after defeating the Kraken, Perseus (Sam Worthington) cannot ignore his true calling when Hades (Ralph Fiennes), along with Zeus’ godly son, Ares (Edgar Ramírez), switch loyalty and make a deal with Kronos to capture Zeus (Liam Neeson). The Titans’ strength grows stronger as Zeus’ remaining godly powers are siphoned, and hell is unleashed on earth.

Enlisting the help of the warrior Queen Andromeda (Rosamund Pike), Poseidon’s demigod son, Argenor (Toby Kebbell), and fallen god Hephaestus (Bill Nighy), Perseus bravely embarks on a treacherous quest into the underworld to rescue Zeus, overthrow the Titans and save mankind.

Jonathan Liebesman (Battle: Los Angeles) directs. What do you think? Could it be better than the first one?

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A press conference for Bond 23 was held this morning in London, and it was confirmed that the movie will be called Skyfall, a title which producer Barbara Broccoli said “has an emotional context which will be revealed in the film”.

Director Sam Mendes and Daniel Craig were in attendance, as were Javier Bardem, Dame Judi Dench, Naomie Harris and Berenice Marlohe, confirming their involvement in the film. Ralph Fiennes, Albert Finney and Ben Whishaw were also announced as cast members.

Here’s the full press release:

Producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli today presented the cast of the 23rd James Bond adventure, entitled SKYFALL. The film, from Albert R. Broccoli’s Eon Productions, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios, and Sony Pictures Entertainment, is directed by Academy Award® winner Sam Mendes and stars Daniel Craig, who returns for his third film as James Bond 007. The screenplay is written by Neal Purvis & Robert Wade and John Logan. SKYFALL, which goes into production on Monday, November 7th, will begin its worldwide roll-out in the UK and Ireland on October 26th 2012 and in North America on November 9th 2012.

Joining Michael G. Wilson, Barbara Broccoli and Director Sam Mendes were members of the cast of SKYFALL, including: Daniel Craig, Javier Bardem, Dame Judi Dench, Naomie Harris and Berenice Marlohe. The filmmakers also announced Ralph Fiennes, Albert Finney and Ben Whishaw.

In SKYFALL, Bond’s loyalty to M is tested as her past comes back to haunt her. As MI6 comes under attack, 007 must track down and destroy the threat, no matter how personal the cost.

“We’re so delighted to have Sam Mendes direct SKYFALL and be working once again with Daniel Craig. We’ve a great script, an extraordinary cast and an incredibly talented creative team for this latest James Bond adventure,” said Wilson and Broccoli.

The Director of Photography is Roger Deakins, a nine-time Oscar® nominee who previously shot the films Jarhead and Revolutionary Road for Mendes. The Production Designer is Oscar® winner Dennis Gassner, who previously designed Quantum of Solace and collaborated with Mendes on the films Road to Perdition and Jarhead. The Editor is Stuart Baird, A.C.E., whose many credits include Casino Royale. Jany Temime, whose many credits include the Harry Potter series, In Bruges, and Children of Men, is the Costume Designer. Action specialist Alexander Witt is the 2nd Unit Director. Gary Powell is Stunt Co-ordinator, Chris Corbould is SFX Supervisor and Steve Begg is Visual Effects Supervisor, all of whom have worked on previous Bond films.

It’s good to finally have a brief synopsis for the film. During the press conference Mendes and the cast kept plot details to themselves, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Mendes said the storyline will take 007 to London, China, Turkey and Scotland, and it had “”all the elements of a classic Bond movie, including – to quell any rumours – lots of action”.

What do you think of the title and cast?

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Over the years Ralph Fiennes has worked with directors such as Steven Spielberg, Stephen Daldry and Kathryn Bigelow, so there’s no wonder the actor got an urge to direct himself.

Last March Fiennes begin shooting his directorial debut Coriolanus, a contemporary adaptation of Shakespeare’s play which was written between 1605 and 1608, and is based on the life of the legendary Roman leader, Gaius Marcius Coriolanus.

For a first time director Fiennes has managed to pull together an impressive cast, which includes Gerard Butler, Vanessa Redgrave, Jessica Chastain, Brian Cox and James Nesbitt. Now the first UK trailer has appeared online, and it looks intense.

Watch below:

Coriolanus (Ralph Fiennes), a hero of Rome, is a great soldier but despises the people. His extreme views ignite a mass riot and he is banished from Rome. Coriolanus allies with a sworn enemy (Gerard Butler) to take his revenge on the city. As director and star, Ralph Fiennes brings William Shakespeare’s visceral history play to the big screen for the first time. Coriolanus is a drama for the ages, a commentary on the precarious draw of war and an auspicious directorial debut from one of the world’s great classical actors.

Coriolanus opens in the US on December 2nd and in the UK on January 20, 2012. It has an Oscar-friendly release, so we could see an awards push from The Weinstein Company.

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Late last year Liam Neeson appeared to confirm that Wrath of the Titans would be the title to the Clash of the Titans sequel, however when announcing the start of production in March Warner Bros. didn’t mention the title anywhere.

Well with the marketing campaign for the March, 2012 release on the horizon the studio has made their decision, and the sequel will indeed be called Wrath of the Titans

A decade after defeating the Kraken, Perseus (Sam Worthington) cannot ignore his true calling when Hades (Ralph Fiennes), along with Zeus’ godly son, Ares (Edgar Ramírez), switch loyalty and make a deal with Kronos to capture Zeus (Liam Neeson). The Titans’ strength grows stronger as Zeus’ remaining godly powers are siphoned, and hell is unleashed on earth.

Enlisting the help of the warrior Queen Andromeda (Rosamund Pike), Poseidon’s demigod son, Argenor (Toby Kebbell), and fallen god Hephaestus (Bill Nighy), Perseus bravely embarks on a treacherous quest into the underworld to rescue Zeus, overthrow the Titans and save mankind.

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Last month Naomie Harris (28 Days Later, Pirates of the Caribbean) confirmed that she had met with director Sam Mendes and producer Barbara Broccoli regarding a role in Bond 23. Some thought she’d be up for the Bond girl role, but now it looks like the actress will be playing Moneypenny.

According to The Daily Mail (via Playlist) Harris is “poised” to appear in Bond 23 as Moneypenny, which means she isn’t confirmed yet but it’s likely. Moneypenny, secretary to M (Judi Dench), hasn’t been seen in a Bond movie since Samantha Bond played her in Die Another Day back in 2002. The casting of Naomie Harris suggests Sam Mendes will be doing something different with the character, and she’ll probably have a larger role than in previous films (possibly getting out of the office environment in the process).

The site also suggests Javier Bardem and Ralph Fiennes, who were previously thought to be up for roles, are locked. With The Dark Tower delayed until next year it appears Bardem has been freed up for Bond. No details have been revealed as to whom he will play, although Bardem confirmed it would be a villain. Bardem played a villain in his Oscar-winning turn in No Country For Old Men two years ago so he’s no stranger to this type of role.

As for Ralph Fiennes, next seen as Voldemort in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2, his role is said to be ‘a darkly complex’ one, and Mendes approached him because “the part is one of extreme complexity and only an actor of great ability and dexterity can take it on”.

Filming is set to begin later this year for an October 2012 release, and with a cast like this Bond 23 is looking very promising.

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Following on from the Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 poster we got earlier this week featuring Harry, Ron and Hermione in the rubble of Hogwarts, Warner Bros. has released one for the villains, namely Voldemort, Bellatrix and Lucius Malfoy, with Narcissa in the background.

Check the full poster below:

In related Deathly Hallows news Dark Horizons tweeted today that a new trailer “should hit early Friday morning U.S. time.” We knew one was coming, and it looks like Warner Bros are attaching it to Green Lantern. I can’t wait.

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Last week we heard Jeremy Irvine, the young actor chosen by Steven Spielberg to lead his WWII epic War Horse, was in talks to play the lead character of Pip in Mike Newell’s adaptation of the classic Dickens novel Great Expectations alongside Helena Bonham Carter, who was in talks to play Miss Havisham.

Now it looks like we may see a Voldemort/Bellatrix reunion as according to The Daily Mail Ralph Fiennes is in discussions to play Magwitch, a father-figure to Pip who has spent his life as a criminal. It’s not a done deal though, as Fiennes is currently set to play Prospero in Trevor Nunn’s version of The Tempest on stage, so there may be scheduling conflicts.

Director Mike Newall (Prince of Persia, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire) plans to shoot in and around London in August, so if Fiennes takes the role he would have to shoot his scenes during the day and then do his stage performances in the evening. The actor is also in talks to play a ‘darkly complex’ role in Bond 23, but filming won’t begin until November.

The script, which is being written by Rowan Joffe (28 Weeks Later, The American) follows the orphan Pip (Irvine) across the span of thirty years as he rises to wealth, deserts his true friends, and becomes humbled by his own arrogance. It also features one of Dickens’s more colorful characters in literature: Miss Havasham. She is a wealthy spinster who takes Pip on as a companion and whom Pip suspects is his benefactor.

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Today Warner Bros. announced that principal photography has officially begun on Clash of the Titans 2 (expected to be titled Wrath of the Titans, but the studio hasn’t made it official).

In a press release they included a plot synopsis of the movie and a list of both returning and new cast members, which surprisingly doesn’t include Gemma Arterton (Io). The actress is currently filming Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters so her role in Titans may be small, or maybe she isn’t returning at all.

Anyhow, you can read the plot details below:

Returning to star in the film are Sam Worthington (“Avatar”) as Perseus, and Academy Award® nominees Ralph Fiennes (“The English Patient,” the “Harry Potter” films) as Hades and Liam Neeson (“Schindler’s List,” “Unknown”) as Zeus.

A decade after his heroic defeat of the monstrous Kraken, Perseus—the demigod son of Zeus—is attempting to live a quieter life as a village fisherman and the sole parent to his 10-year old son, Helius.

Meanwhile, a struggle for supremacy rages between the gods and the Titans. Dangerously weakened by humanity’s lack of devotion, the gods are losing control of the imprisoned Titans and their ferocious leader, Kronos, father of the long-ruling brothers Zeus, Hades and Poseidon. The triumvirate had overthrown their powerful father long ago, leaving him to rot in the gloomy abyss of Tartarus, a dungeon that lies deep within the cavernous underworld.

Perseus cannot ignore his true calling when Hades, along with Zeus’ godly son, Ares (Edgar Ramírez), switch loyalty and make a deal with Kronos to capture Zeus. The Titans’ strength grows stronger as Zeus’ remaining godly powers are siphoned, and hell is unleashed on earth.

Enlisting the help of the warrior Queen Andromeda (Rosamund Pike), Poseidon’s demigod son, Argenor (Toby Kebbell), and fallen god Hephaestus (Bill Nighy), Perseus bravely embarks on a treacherous quest into the underworld to rescue Zeus, overthrow the Titans and save mankind.

Joining Worthington, Fiennes and Neeson in the international cast are Danny Huston (“Robin Hood”), reprising his role as Poseidon, god of the sea; Edgar Ramírez (“The Bourne Ultimatum,” TV miniseries “Carlos”) as the traitorous god of war, Ares; Bill Nighy (“Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1″) as Hephaestus, whose twisted, lame figure belies his Olympian origins; Toby Kebbell (“Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time”) as Agenor, imprisoned thief and son of Poseidon who joins Perseus on his journey to Tartarus; and Rosamund Pike (“Barney’s Version”) as Andromeda, the princess whose life Perseus once saved, and who now, as a queen, follows Perseus into battle.

Jonathan Liebesman (Battle: Los Angeles) is directing, and filming will take place in studios outside London. The production will later shoot on location in Surrey, South Wales and in the Spanish Canary Islands on the island of Tenerife. The film is currently scheduled for release in March 2012.

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